__________________________________________________________________________
THE ILLUSTRATED WAR NEWS, DEC. 30, 1914--[Part 21]--15


[Illustration: CHRISTMAS DAY ON BOARD SHIP IN THE NORTH SEA: THE CAPTAIN
GOING ROUND THE MESSES "TASTING THE MEN'S DINNER."]

By time-honoured naval usage, on Christmas Day, after Divine Service, on
board every ship, the officers, headed by the Captain, visit the men at
dinner in their messes, which are always gay with seasonable decorations.
At the end of each table stands the cook of the mess, to offer the Captain
samples of the dinner he has prepared. These are tasted by the officers,
and, with a hearty exchange of good wishes, the procession passes from
table to table. It is stated that the officers of the Grand Fleet
collectively subscribed to provide Christmas dinners at home for the
children of their men. It is certain that friends at home provided
Christmas fare for the crews in the North Sea. Never was there a year when
seasonable goodwill and seasonable good cheer were more desirable.--[_From
a Drawing by S. Begg._]




__________________________________________________________________________
16--THE ILLUSTRATED WAR NEWS, DEC. 30, 1914.--[Part 21]


[Illustration: BLINDFOLDED BY A SACK: A SUSPECT BROUGHT THROUGH THE