Masters of hyperbole

Connus arrived from Paris in the following spring, and gave, at No. 31, Haymarket, a performance of which I have found no other account than is contained in his advertisements, in which he announced that he would, "by slight of hand, convey his wife, who is five feet eight inches high, under a cup, in the same manner as he would balls; he will also exhibit an infinite number of other tricks too tedious to mention."

Another French conjuror of the period, but who never visited England, was Comte, who was as famous for his ventriloquial powers as for his skill in legerdemain. Many anecdotes are current among continental conjurors of the consternation which Comte created on various occasions by the exercise of his powers as a ventriloquist off the boards. He once overtook near Nevers a man who was beating an overladen ass, and, throwing his voice in the direction of the poor brute's head, reproached the fellow for his cruelty, causing him to stare at the ass for a moment in mingled surprise and awe, and then take to his heels. On another occasion, being in the market-place of Mâcon, he inquired the price of a pig which a peasant woman had for sale, and pronounced it extortionate, a charge which the owner, with much volubility, denied.

"I will ask the pig," said Comte, gravely. "Piggy, is the good woman asking a fair price for you?"

"Too much by half," the pig seemed to reply. I am measled, and she knows it."

The woman gasped and stared, but she was equal to the occasion.

"Oh! the villain," she exclaimed." He has bewitched my pig. Police, seize the sorcerer!"

The bystanders rushed to the spot, but Comte slipped away as quickly as he could, and left the affair to the intelligence of the police.

Another anecdote from the life of Comte tells of a time that he almost didn't get away as easy. On one occasion the possession of this strange power of ventriloquism was the means of saving Comte's life. He was denounced by some ignorant Swiss peasants in the neighbourhood of Friburg as a sorcerer. He was set upon, beaten with sticks, and was about to be thrown into a limekiln when he raised such a horrible yell, which appeared to proceed from the kiln, that the fellows dropped him, and fled precipitately from the spot.

It would seem that conjurers throughout history have allowed their words to speak for them...and pigs.