5.—TO IMITATE AN ECHO.
It is impossible for a ventriloquist to produce an echo in a room of ordinary size, as the walls, being so near, would cause the sounds to be blended, and would only produce one impression on the ear; and yet a skilful ventriloquist can with ease imitate, in a room, a mountain echo. We will give the instructions, as it is very amusing.
Turn your back to the listeners; whistle loud several short, quick notes, just as if you were whistling to a dog; then as quick as possible, after the last note, and as softly and subdued as possible to be heard, whistle about a third the number of notes, but it must be in the same note or pitch; this will cause the last whistle to appear just like an echo at a great distance. This imitation, if well done, causes much surprise to those listening. The same thing can be done by shouting any sentence, such as, “Halloa, you, there!” or, “Ship, ahoy!” Let your voice be formed close to the lips; then quickly, and in the same pitch or note, speak the same words very subdued, and formed at the back of the mouth. This is very simple, yet effective.