TO the living we owe respect but to the dead we owe only the truth, said Voltaire. Step forward a philosophical Billy Connolly.

''He was a man of immense strength, an admirable man, an extremely funny man, and one I am very proud to say was a friend of mine.''

The comedian was paying tribute yesterday to Jimmy Logan as the final curtain came down on one of Scotland's most revered troupers.

Hundreds of mourners paid their last respects in the gothic splendour of Glasgow cathedral. They made up a microcosm of Scots society, from the Strathclyde chief constable to Connolly, the court jester, and right down to the wee Glesgae wifie with her message bag.

It was a fitting, final full house for the last of the giants of Scottish variety whose 65-year showbusiness career brought a smile to the face and a spring to the step of kings and queens and the man in the street.

Logan, who was born James Short in Dennistoun in 1928, died of cancer of the oesophagus last week at the age of 73.

He was a major influence on a new generation of comedians and Billy Connolly decided to be an entertainer after seeing Logan on stage.

It was appropriate that it was Connolly who delivered the day's most memorable tribute.

Logan told his own story in his memoirs, It's a Funny Life.

Connolly, who flew into Scotland from Los Angeles yesterday and was the first to arrive at the cathedral for the service, told it like this: ''I first heard of Logan when I was twelve-ish, growing up in Partick, and thought he was one of only two famous people in the whole world. The other was Celtic player Charlie Tully.

''My aunt Margaret took me to see Logan in a Five past Eight show at the Glasgow Alhambra and it was then I decided I, too, wanted to become a comedian.''

Connolly said: ''It was like a blinding flash on the road to Damascus, it was so profound that my heart was thumping.''

He said he was helpless with laughter - ''the kind that stops your legs working'' - as he listened and watched Logan, who came on stage dressed as a coalman to the tune What Do You Want If You Don't Want Money.

Logan, however, substituted briquettes and slates for money. ''On that night, I said I wanted to be a comedian but my aunty responded - don't be stupid, you're not even funny.''

However, Connolly was later sacked by his hero from a theatre job after he played a trick on another entertainer - tying a toy snake to a microphone.

''I had gone over the score and Jimmy was sent for.'' Logan beckoned: ''Come here, I'll give you another laugh - you're out of here.''

He later worked with Logan on a film called the Debt Collector and was impressed with his acting abilities. He also made him laugh one lunchtime.

Connolly told him there was ham on the menu. ''You've been doing it for years so you may as well have a wee bit,'' he told him, causing Logan to burst out laughing.

''I thought I had gone to heaven,'' Connolly told the congregation.

He grew to love Logan like a brother, a relative and uncle or something. ''He was a man of immense strength, admirable, and a man I am proud to say was a friend of mine.''

As well as Logan's family, the mourners included a Who's Who of Scottish showbiz, including Rikki Fulton, Stanley Baxter, Fran and Anna, Jonathan Watson, Paul Young, Johnnie Beattie, Tony Roper, Andy Cameron, Glen Michael, and David Hayman.

The world of politics was represented by the SNP's Margaret Ewing, Labour's Tom Clarke, and the Liberal Democrats' Robert McLennan.

Dominick Allen, Logan's nephew, referring to the showbiz song Keep Right On To The End Of The Road, said: ''The only time he ever made people sad is today.

''Let's not remember him for that, let's remember him for all the times he made us laugh and let's just believe he has gone back on the road.''

In his tribute, Tom Fleming, the actor and royal commentator, recalled Logan's trappings of success, including a Rolls Royce with a coat of arms.

In tiny writing on the decoration were the words ''smashing, innit'', a reference to one of his catchphrases with Stanley Baxter.

He also recalled how Logan had filled his house with priceless antiques. His mother, however, had been perturbed because her son could not afford new furniture.

Fleming said Logan's hero was Sir Harry Lauder, the Scottish entertainer. However, he added: ''I happen to think Jimmy had much more talent and was 20 times more versatile than Lauder. To know him was a privilege, to be his friend an honour.''

He asked mourners not to applaud but stand and show their appreciation of Logan ''in the best way he would understand''.

As the mourners rose for a standing ovation, Fleming said: ''Well done, Jimmy, we salute you and we will miss you.''

The last hymn was No 412. As one the congregation sang:

''Will your eyes behold through the morning light

''The city of gold and the harbour light?

''Will you anchor safe by the heavenly shore,

''When life's storms are past for evermore?''

And with one beat, hundreds of hearts sang a silent yes.