THE YORKSHIRE NIGHTINGALE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2913, 12 January 1910, Page 73

THE YORKSHIRE NIGHTINGALE.

SINGER, PREACHER, AND ELOCUTIONIST.

A musical and physical curiosity is Mr Enos Bacon, who, following- the unique calling- of a Christian entertainer, is_ at present in Dunedin. Ho is a musical curiosity because ho sings perfectly naturally and without strain in two voices—a rich baritone and a high soprano. He is a physical curiosity because medical examination cannot reveal how this marvellous result is achieved. The unique being always interesting-, a. Daily Times reporter on the Bth had a short conversation with Mr Bacon in order to ascertain from him some facts concerning his voice and himself. For his voice has enabled him to make himselfa Christian worker of some power. Said Mr Bacon:—" I was found working in a coal pit by an agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society. This agent was one of the society's staff who travel through the country hi vans in the prosecution of the work undertaken by the society. He induced me to accompany him, and for five years I did so, doing a considerable amount of travel through all parts of England. In the course, of the.se journeyings, Hugh Price Hughes, the great preacher of Methodism, heard me, and he it was who gave mo my name, of "The Yorkshire Nightingale." In regard to my voice I am not a trained singer in accordance with the conception of orthodox training-. What training I have had I have given myself, but it seems to have been pretty successful. "If you ask me how I came to have my voice I cannot tell you- I know no more how I started' to sing. than how I started to talk. Amongst other surgeons, Sir Frederick Treves examined me and said he could' not understand- it at all, as the notes I sang were chest notes and were not falsetto, because if. they were falsetto the strain would have [induced great fatigue. I have never known what it is to be hoarse, and during the last seven years have sung three times a day on Sundays and' sometimes four, and during the week have given four concerts of two and a-half hours apiece, with no ill effects.

" Reverting to my history, I left the van to start touring England in the capacity of a Christian entertainer, and I think I am the only man who, at the same time is a .'. inger, preacher, and elocutionist. Some people ask me which I like best, but that I crnnot say, as at different times it is one, then another, and, again, the third. " I am in New Zealand at the present time combining business and pleasure. I was induced to come by the Rev. James Flanagan, who was recently round hero and who has ai very high opinion of New Zealand. While here I will be engaging in concerts and' in Christian work, and after going" through New Zealand will go to Australia for four months with the Sydney Mission, and. afterwards in other centres."

In the Garrison Hall on Sunday Mr Bacon spoke at three services, which were well