DISTRIBUTION of HER MAJESTY'S GIFTS.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 539, 1 July 1869, Page 4

DISTRIBUTION of HER MAJESTY'S GIFTS.

On Maundy Thursday, March 26, the usual Queen's charities were distributed in the Chapel Royal, Whitehall, with an elaborate ceremony. The Bishop of Oxford, her Majesty's Lord High Almoner, officiated, and was assisted by the Rev Dr R. W. Jelf, Canon of Christ Church, Oxford, the contributions being made to 50 aged men and 50 aged -women, the number of each sex corresponding with the age of the Queen. A procession was formed in the Almonry Office in Whitehall, consisting of the Yeomen of the Guard, under a sergeant-major (one of the yeoman carrying the Royal alms on a gold salver of the reign of King William and Queen Mary), the Secretary and Yeomen of the Almonry, accompanied by six children, two from each of the National Schools in the parish of St. Margaret and St. John, Westminster, and St. Mary-le-Strand, who had been selected for participation in this privilege in consequence of their good conduct, and moved from the Almonry to the Chapel Royal, where they were met by the Bishop of Oxford, Dr Jelf, and a considerable body of the parochial Clergy, vested in their surplices. On arriving at the altar steps, the alms were deposited in front of the Royal closet, and a special service for the occasion was read. A sum of LI 15s was distributed to each woman, and to each man shoes and stockings. Afterwards a distribution of red and white purses took place. Each red purse contained the usual gold sovereign and a further sum of Ll 10s as a commutation in lieu of provisions formerly issued from the Lord Steward's department of the Queen's household. Each white purse contained the Maundy coins consisting of L 4 3s 2d, and pence, in silver, amounting to 50.