HARRY LAUDER.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12805, 28 May 1910, Page 4

HARRY LAUDER.

Never in the history of the English music-hall has there been such a popular comedian as Mr Harry Lauder. He has beon hailed with' delight all over the country, and America is no less pleased with this wonderful humourist from Scotland. It is not so very many years ago that Mr Lav- • der was a mill boy earning the magnificent salary of two shillings a week. One day a singing competition was held among the mill boys, and the futuro "star" won the match. From that time forward lie was regarded as a horo by his fellow workers, and one bold spirit prophesied that young Laudor "would have five pounds a week before he died." How astounded the prophet would have been could he have known that before many years his friend would have been offered £1000 a week ! Some idea of Harry Lauder's popularity may be gained from the fact that when, some time ago, it was announced from the stage of a London music hall that he was ill and could not appear, tho audience rose to a- man, and insisted that the managor should send him a telegram of sympathy. Mr. Lauder has appeared before many kinds of people, but probably his most curious audience was in an asylum in America. Hero he sang to a thousand lunatics, 'l'hey enjoyed his "turn" immensely, and joined heartily in the chorus of "I Love a Lassie." After the entertainment, one patient took Mr Lauder aside and whispered in his ear: "For my sake, don't make faces or do anything to make them think you're a bit off, or they'll keep you here!"