The Washington herald., 1911-01-18
NEWS AND GOSSIP
OF OTHER LANDS

to shooting and firing, is extremely fond
Of horse exercise. In fact. 1t is his Ia
vorite recreation. Since he has ascended
the throne he has added considerably to
his stable of hacks. and no doubt daily
will be seen In Rotten Row" next month.
when the court removes to Buckingham
Palace. King George bellies the Oft
repeated fable that a sailor cannot be-
stride a horse. On the contrary. those
who ought to know say that he has a
fine seat in the saddle. Some years ago
he enjoyed riding to hounds, and 1t is
reported among turf followers that he
will devote himself to hunting again as
soon as his enforced period Of mourning
ends
Most of the Kings rides will be with
the West Norfolk pack, which hunts the
Sandrinsham country. and of which his
majesty has been a member for years.
The main portion Of the royal stable is
now maintained at the news in Buck
ingham Palace road. though the King
has several animals at the stud farm at
Sandringham. where his two favorite
chargers are usually kept. These will be
brought to London next summer for use
at the ceremonies attendant upon the cor
onation. Both Of these steeds have been
broken in thoroughly. and neither the
booming Of cannons nor the cheering of
the populace ruffles their composure.
The manner in which horses for royal
riders are accustomed to noises of every
description is rather interesting. A great
many soldiers are marched down to tho
news and there are ordered to fire of
number of rounds of ammunition, first
altogether and then independently, fran
tically shouting and cheering the while
Naturally. the horses at first grow restive
under the hubbub. but gradually they set
quite accustomed to the noise. They are
then exercised by trusted officials. and
every device that can be thought of Is
employed to make them rear or shy.
they are passed as fit for their owners
to ride under any circumstances.
Many of the animals selected for the
Kings use have to be rejected ultimately
for some fault in their nature, but there
are always several trusted animals ready
for any required service
The stables at Windsor Castle, Buck
inGham Palace. or Sandringham are
models of what such buildings should be.
Every stall and loose box is kept in the
best of condition, and the most scrupu-
lous cleanliness is observed everywhere.
Glazed tiles line the walls. and each
horses name is plainly printed above its
manger. The metal fittings are of bronze.
By order of the late King Edward. all
materials used are of British manufac-
ture.
King George is an early riser. and
often appears at the news when least
expected and orders a horse. I am told
that he is by no means averse to lending
yx-,Nt =
adjusts girths. buckles. and the ribbons
with a celebrity that betokens long ex-
perience. AS soon as everything is ready
he rides of to the park. accompanied
only by single equerry; more often still
by only a groom.
Queen Mary has no inclination for
horse exercise. She has rot been in the
saddle for years. AS a girl she was seen
often in the vicinity Of Richmond, Park
riding her pony and accompanied by one
or two of her brothers. She was always
nervous on horseback. and gave up the
idea of cross-country riding. since. as
she frankly confesSeS, the fences fright
ened her. Princess Mary (the princess
royaD, however. shares none Of he-
mothers fears. In the course Of a few
years most likely she viii Re the con-
slant companion of her father when he
takes his early morning ride in the
about the park at Sandringham without
the indignity Of a leading rein. though
well-mounted and trusted groom is
close at hand in case of any restlessness
on the part Of her pony. The two elder
sons Of the King likewise are experts
in the handling of horses.
There are quite a number of people
among British royalty and nobility who
first saw the light Of day on Christmas.
and Christmas babies recently have
been in vogue as clubdom talk. At the
head of the list is Queen Alexandria s
favorite brother, King George of Greece.
who was born sixty-five years ago at
Copenhagen before the dinner hour. The
homely little palace where he first
opened his eyes. at that time was in
habited by three future Kings, George of
Greece. Christian of Denmark, and
Haakon Of Norway. Then there were
two future Queens. Alexandra Of Eng
land and Christine Of Sweden, and the
present Dowager Czarina.
Christmas babies in the peerage in
clude Lord George Campbell. Lord Mum
caster. and the late Kings privileged
friend, Lord Marcus Beresford Zone Of
the noted trio of brothers that included
the late Lord "Bilr' and Lord Char!es).
Lord Marcus now enters upon his sixty
second year after a distinguished career
in the army and on the turf.
Col Hall Walker member Of Pariia-
ment, owner of a grand national win
ner, celebrated his fifty-fourth birthday
on Christmas. Mr.. Brandon Thomas,
the popular actor. came into the world
Christmas Day, 1855. Other well-known
people of the same class are Lady Grey
Egerton, one of the most beautiful women
in London society; the Countess Of
Rothes, Lady Emma Talbot, Lady Hem
rietta Guinnes. Lady Augusta Palmer.
Lady Eliza Cole, and Mr.. w. r. Mans
field. member Of Parliament.
Babies that arrived on Christmas Day,
but too late for the festive dinner. in
clude Sir James Linton. Sir James Ran
kin. the Duchess of Leeds, and Lady de
Lisle and Dudley.
Lord Furness. who told the Employers
Federation that unless they agree to
arbitration in their dispute with the ship
building trades unions and thus bring
to an end the lockout which is causing
so much suffering in the North Of Eng
land he will quit their association, Is
one Of the largest shfpowners in the
world.
He started life as an errand boy. but
made such good use Of his opportunities
that before he was twenty he was a
partner in a large firm trading In foreign
produce To-day he controls 140 vessels.