King a Great Dancer.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 218, 20 September 1901, Page 3

King a Great Dancer.

London, July 30. A new life of the King, by '• one of His Majesty’s servants,’’ has been published. Much of its contents is new, and it is full of personal anecdotes and details. It may surprise some subjects to know that the King is “ inordinately fond of dancing,” and that for many a year his friends declared he danced the Highland Fling better than any one in the kingdom. These years, one would think, must be long past. But he is a fine skater, plays hockey well, is a good sailor, and of late years has patronised the sport of pigeon hying. Among his minor hobbies is that of collecting arms of all kinds. The King’s wardrobe i 3 immense, largely due to the many complimentary naval and military appointments he holds. About the fit of his private clothes he is most particular, and gives employment to three tailors.

The King has a great dislike for eccentricity in dress, such as startling neckties and fancy waistcoats ; above all, a profusion of jewellery is strictly “tabooed ” bv him.

The King lias now turned his renovating energy in a new direction. Cranbourne Lodge, a forgotten royal residence, which lies in a beautifully wooded glade between Virginia \Vater and Ascot, is to be made a fit habitation. The Lodge is a quaint house built in the reign of Charles 11. by the famous Lord Ranelagh, and has some interesting rooms of that period. It was occupied for some years by Princess Charlotte of Wales after her marriage to Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg. Since then the house has not been occupied.