The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-02-20

quism-A Few Practical Hints.
Ventriloquism is without doubt an
ancient art, one which was and is at the
present time surrounded by halo of
mystery. 1t is remarkable that in this
advanced age SO much doubt and mis-
conception prevail respecting ventrilo-
quism. This is due in great measure
to the fact that the happy possessors Of
the gift are inclined to retain the secrets
for their own profit. and so prevent q
host of competitors from taking thefield.
Ventriloquism is not gift; it depends
In great measure on the histrionic abil-
ity of the student as to whether he will
succeed in making mark or not, but it
Is nevertheless true that any one possess
ing certain amount of perseverance
and zeal can become to certain extent
an exponent of the fascinating art, caus-
ing their friends to wonder at the num-
Der of voices within them. Those so en-
dowed are able, if they seize the oppor-
tunity, to cause considerable amuse-
ment or annoyance to their fellows, but
not to the extent that great many peo-
pie believe.
The writer has been asked on numer-
GUS occasions to s'throw" his voice to the
side of person some distance off, so
that it would appear to proceed from his
own pocket or some other equally absurd
place.
Now as to the meaning Of the word
ventriloquism. 1t is derived from the
Latin roots venter, the belly, and loquor,
to speak; but belly speaking is certainly
misnomer, and leads many people to
imagine that the voices are produced
from that portion of the body. That is
not so. the ventriloquial voice being
formed purely and simply in the throat,
the muscles of the stomach only being
requisite to give sufficient strength or
power to the voice. Ventriloquism may
be classed under three heads: Ventrilo-
quism proper, colloquism and poly
phonism Under the first of these
heads comes the distant voice; that
is, imitation of sounds as they
appear when heard from a distance
and in various places and directions.
The ''man-up-the-chimney, on-the-roof
and down-the-cellar" illusions, which
nearly every one has had an OPP
portunity of hearing. are the outcomes
of this voice. Again, there are the
"street cries." in which the performer
has miniature drawing room window,
and gives limitations of varied and hui
morous well known street cries, heard
first long way off; then gradually the
man is heard coming nearer and nearer,
noccIY10 tho window or6 c1<. T.,
away again in the distance. The win
dow being made to open and close makes
the illusion perfect.
Colloquism consists the limitations
of various human voices; for instance, it
is usual for most ventriloquists to intro
duce comical, life size, talking automata,
the heads of which are made of papier
mache. fnse interiors being fitted with
springs and cords; 5S y the aid Of which
tho performer controls the mouth,
hair, etc., of his talking family-the
mouths of which being made to move at
the same time as the words are uttered
by the performer, and, owing to the un-
certainty of the direction from which
sounds emanate, and which, by the way.
is the true secret of all ventriloquial IL
lusions, the voice really appears to pro-
ceed from the figures.
Polyphonism or mimicry is the imita-
ton of cattle, Sheep saving, planning,
etc. This branch of ventriloquism is
rather difficult to acquire, although there
are numerous sounds that can be copied
without any particular gift. A great
many persons are excellent mimics with
out being ventriloquists, for in nearly
every school can doubtless be found q
youth who amuses his fellows in the play
ground corner with his growing and
cackling.
A few practical hints as to the modes
of procedure to be followed by would be
learners may not be out of place here,
although half dozen lessons from a
good professional would do infinitely
more for them than all the books that
have ever been written upon the subject,
and which, by the way, are usually a
mass of theoretical phraseology Before
any attempt is made with the voice the
student must be prepared to devote the
same time and attention to the breath,
which he must get entirely under con-
troll. SO as to be able to hold it for con-
siderable time without straining. This,
of course, must be gradual process.
Before commencing to practice strong
inspiration should be taken, as the lungs
require to be furnished with plentiful
supply of fresh air, which has to be well
controlled and allowed to escape grad
ually. He must endeavor to breathe
through his nose and keep his mouth
shut. This is a hint which it would be
as well for every one to remember, and
SO save great deal of cold catching and
Illness The learner must study at all
times to initiate sounds, not as they are
heard at their source, but as they fall
upon the ear after travelling from a dis
tance. That is the golden rule of ven-
triloquism, and if it is continually kept
in mind success is certain. As conjurers
endeayor to deceive the eye, SO ventrilo-
quists try to deceive the ear
The "distant voice" originates at that
spot in the throat where the "cluck"
takes place when drinking, so without
any facial contortions or movement Of
the lips the words must be forced against
the back part of the palate one by one,
with series of short, quick breaths, at
the same time strengthening the sounds
by using the muscles of the stomach,
which will give them increased power,
30 that they will reach the audience
clear and distinct The farther off the
sound is supposed to be the smaller the