Lee Sugg in Basingstoke, 1801

 
Compiled by Steven Connor as part of The Dumbstruck Archive, a continuing, online supplement to Dumbstruck: A Cultural History of Ventriloquism (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000).

 
 

Sapiens rem familiarem quaret iis rebus, a quibus abest turpido
Mr LEE SUGG
(Patronized by his Royal Highness the Duke of CUMBERLAND)
Respectfully announces to the Nobility, Gentry, and the Public in general, that he will deliver his popular
ENTERTAINMENT, call'd
Optimus Praestantissimus
CONSISTING OF
COMIC AND SENTMENTAL RECITATIONS AND SONGS,
(Never Performed in this Town, and POSITIVELY FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY.)
IN FIVE PARTS
 
PART I. -   Recitation, - An Introductory Address. - Song. - The Old Soldier
PART II. -  Recitation, - School Boy and Muffin. - Song. - Sir Sydney Smith
                  Recitation, - Squinting. - Song. - The Navy and the Army
PART III. - Recitation, - A Blunder. - Song. - The Learned Pig
                   Recitation, - A Trip to France. - Song. - Chimney Sweeper
PART IV. - Recitation, - Flats, Sharps, and Naturals. - Song. - Tom Starboard
                   Recitation, - Shaving Gratis. - Song. - The Mariner
PART V. - Recitation, - Law. - Song. - The Proxeys
                  Recitation, - Poached Eggs and Pork Stakes. - Song. Seven Ages
In the Course of the Evening
PYTHONE,
A WONDERFUL TALENT,
That never can be Learnt, but must be given by
THE KING OF KINGS!

In which the Professor in his first Specimen will converse with an Invisible Agent, who seems at one Time in one Pocket, and at others at a greater Distance. 
In his second Specimen, the Professor Questions and Answers, in two distinct Voices, with his Lips closed, and no person can discover any alteration of his Features, altho' a Candle be held close to his Mouth. 
In his third Specimen, the Performer holds a Face at some distance from his own, which, with another object, he Questions and Answers with three Voices. - The Voice from the Face sings "God Save the King." 

In his fourth and last Specimen,
THE VENTRILOQUIST
Will converse with four Voices, two as from the outisde of the Door, and two from the inside, a Power so very astonishing, as to be allowed by the College of Physicians, to be one of the 
WONDERS OF THE WORLD!
....... 
The above Entertainment will be Recited, Sung, & Exhibited by MR LEE SUGG
In the ASSEMBLY ROOM, BASINGSTOKE
ON THURSDAY Evening, June 18, 1801
..... 

Private Parties may have the Performance at their own Houses of the INTERNAL ORATOR