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.