QUERY1850
Ventriloquism
By J. SANSOM.
What evidence is there, that *ventriloquism* was made use of in the ancient oracles? Was the [Greek: pneuma puthonos] (Acts, xvi. 16.) an example of the exercise of this art? Was the Witch of Endor a ventriloquist? or what is meant by the word [Greek: eggastrimuthos] at Isai. xix. 3., in the Septuagint? "Plutarch informs us," says Rollin (*Ancient History*, vol. i. p. 65.), "that the god did not compose the verses of the oracle. He inflamed the Pythia's imagination, and kindled in her soul that living light which unveiled all futurity to her. The words she uttered in the heat of her enthusiam,…
Topics: Ventriloquism, Ancient Oracles, Greek Mythology