The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-12-10
Washington Lopp Retires
From InstructinS Europe in
American Step Dancing.

~ ARIS, Dec. 9.--George Washing ton
Lopp. the famous American
dancing master, who came to
l. Paris twenty years ago. now owns
a. palace in the heart OF the
metropolis and has married into the
his humble calling d millionaire FIVE
times round il counted in francs.
Lopp took 10 teaching dances for A
curious reason His brother chris-"our
Chris as lie was called-waS chief Of
the Southern Baseball league, and
George Washington Lopp was catcher
a ball split the skin of his hands. He
hollcred loud and long and "our Chris'
said
For heavens sake so and open a
dancing school; YOU have lady's hands. +"
George thought il over while curing his
hands and SAW IL was a good idea, so nc
taught In Los Angeles. Oakland and Sc
attic.
Then came to Paris" he says, "and
didn't have a cent. although ] TOOK a
room a the Grand hotel Before long I
got an engagement TO teach step dancing
at the Grand Opera. My French was tho
joke of the place.
Discharge Leads to Fortune.
Director Gallard wanted me to turn
Frenchman. hut 7 said no. If I couldn I
teach as an American could not teach
at ALL SO ID quit. Then Lord DuTern.
British ambassador at Paris. asked me
Wales, aite!ward King Edward VII l
taught them all, except the present king.
MY royal pupils Included the Duke OF
Clarence, now dead: the Princess Louise.
now Duchess OF Fife; tho Princess Vic
toria and the Princess Maud. now Queen
uf Norway. Then ] was engaged 10 go
to Osborne, and I taught the royal chill
drsn in tho presence of their, grand o
mother, the late Queen Victoria. My
salary was $4,000 year and everything
found including a suite OF rooms in thc
M. ON nf M INT hf
used TO Joke with me at dinner saying,
I'm sure he has revolver in eacn "f
his boots
when came back 10 Paris. Lord
Dufferln informed me the prince had
commanded me 10 return To Osborne |
replied that liberty was dearcr 10 me
upon Lord Dufferip said, You are the
first man who has refused 10 go To the
| court OF England ] should mention that
the present Queen Victoria of Spain was
my pupil and an excellent dancer she
was. | have also given lessons TO her
husband, King Alfonso lie dances wei
| and with spirit
Taught siam's Crown Prince
Prince of Siam In Paris and have been
paid b. a decoration, This Is not telling
q tale out Of school. The decoration was
formally offered 10 me In payment, with
| out any suggestion from me. The heir
| 10 The throne of the Srent German empire
also learned 10 dance liGs and reels and
| hOruplpeS from me, Tie Is not riVacioGS
| enough for these dances, Ono OF my
| most interesting royal pupils Was King
| Manuel of Portugal. He Is very grace
| full"
Washington Lcpp has. In fact. taught
| Europe American dancing. The Ameri-
| can waltz. the two-stcp the three step.
| the double waltz are known 10 every
! young duchess OF France because OF this
| teacher Of the light fantastic. The palace
| he has built. known as the Washington
! palacc Is a monument 10 his terpsi~
| chorcan skill. Washing ton palace might
| bo called thc cradl" OF international
| marriages. for many a French noblema n
! has first met his American chnrner at
| the fashionable concerts given there from
| time TO time.
Retires With Full Purse,
| sT am retiring now because I am old
| enough 10 enjoy myself says Mr.. Lopp,
| nIriIy. The palace has been let on
| fifteen years lease. Rumpelmayer %
| tea house fame ls the lessee. But tho
| palace will not be turned into q chatter
| Ing tea place. Dancing classes enter
| tainments aud Christian Science meetings
Will still go on. without. however, the
| American professor.
| After ar absence OF twenty wears, Mr.
| Iopp returns TO America with "A charm
| !ng French wife. three pretty children
| aud picthoric purse, II he cares 10
| do ao nc can sport on his bosom decora-
| liens bestowed ou him by tho French
| Spanish and Portuguese governments.