Show german birthday baken the custom oi having a birthday cake is widespread in germany I 1 know it for certain that it is prevalent in the province of saxony in canover and tho maark of brandenburg As many lights da tha ono whose birthday it Is has years are stuck around the cake or the a thick one in tho middle called the the light of life for persons advanced in years one candle do duty as otherwise too many be required or a skillful lady expresses the exact number of years in roman figures L aheu moltke completed his seventieth year during the campaign of 71 crown prince frederick william inter on emperor presented him teltha cake adorned with seventy lights only he or she who his or her birthday may put out tho light of life it Is unlucky if done by any other member of the family notes and queries w |