A COMIC SINGER SOLD BY AUCTION.

Grey River Argus, Issue 69, 21 June 1866, Page 3

A COMIC SINGER SOLD BY AUCTION.

« On Friday afternoon a novel sale by *üblic auction took place within 1 the rooms of Messrs Hutchinson and Dixon, West Nile street, Glasgow. For several days placards may have been observed in the city, announcing the. coming sale cf the services of Mr Ji.nies Taylor, described as "The Champion Comic of Great Britain." On certain conditions '"Mr Taylor proffered his services for four months, from November next, to the highest bidder, engaging tossing twice eveiy lawful evening in ary establih. ment, and in any .town to whica he might be sent. The novelty of the affair doubtless excited a. good deal of curiosity amongst Mr Taylor's professional brethren in the city, who on Friday afternoon crowded iuto " The Mart'- as the hourpf sile approached. At five o'clock Mr'vHutcliinson moved himself into a chair, which was placed on the. top of the table, and was soon afterwards supported on the right by Mr Taylor, for whom similar accommodation in this elevated positionhad bean provided. Tjie gentlemen who were expected to become I idders, stood or were seated, in ifjont of tlie auctioneer. Many of t^^^ were smoking cigars, and an array of champagne glasses which studded a green baize covered table, gave promise of pleasure yet to come, Mr Hutchinson opened the proceeding by explaining the circumstances Under which lie came to occupy the chair; but before advancing to the real business of the ("a/ he caused the champagne to ,be handed round, while the company smoked and chatted, chaffed Mr Taylor in a quiet way, and quaffed his health with fraternal fervor; Thus comforiably circumstanced the bidding begau. Tlie. first offer made LI OO, immediately increased to LI 10 ; but it was c\n.dent" that this was intended merely as a start, because^lie bidding weiit up witb. a rush through all tLe intermediate tens till L 230 was reached. .Offers were now advanced more cautiously, aud when L 315 was gained the bidders became so sliy that a cunuiiig suggestion was made that some move champagne battles should be uncorked. The hint was acted upon, aad the spf«rkling beverage again went round. After a brief interval, and what seemed a grateful refresher, .Mr Hutcliiiison again went to work, but it appeared still to be a stiff up-hill struggle with him. At L 325 the "last call" was tliveatened by the auctioneer ; but two additional bids were faintly ventured upon, and ; atL33o the services for four calendar^months of " the Champion Comic" -we've secured on behalf of the proprietor of the Wliitebait Conceit rooms. The bidding, as it seemed, was confined to one or two gentlemen^reijrtssntiing tlie proprietors of concert ;'robms iff the "city. After being knocked down 1 , Mr Taylor sprang iip with characteristic alei-tness to thank the company for. their patronage, and, descending from, ius- -perch, was lost amongst . the crowd. — " Glasgow Herald." , '■'.