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Foreign News
December 17, 1827
The Virginian
Lynchburg, Virginia
What is this article about?
In Fethard, County Wexford, Ireland, ventriloquist Mr. Gallaher cured a hypochondriac named Finn of imaginary fairy afflictions by simulating their movements through ventriloquism, as recommended by Rev. T. O'Flaherty.
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MISCELLANY.
FROM LATE FOREIGN JOURNALS.
Hypochondriacism cured by Ventriloquism.—One of the most extraordinary instances we ever heard of the power of ventriloquism was effected a few days ago, by Mr. Gallaher, in Fet hard, in the county of Wexford. A poor man by the name of Finn, who was laboring dreadfully under hypochondriacism, hearing of Mr. Gallaher, asked his parish priest, (the Rev. T. O'Flaherty,) if he might apply to that gentleman to the purpose of being cured. The clergyman, knowing that the man's disease lay solely in his imagination, thought he might be cured by the same means. He therefore recommended Finn to apply to this celebrated ventriloquist. Upon calling on Gallaher, Finn said that he used to be afflicted by fairies, who were constantly going into his mouth, and, after capering through his stomach, would then make their exit through his ears. "Oh, I see they are a great annoyance to you, my poor man," said Gallaher. He then threw his voice successively into the man's mouth and ears, and at length brought it down into his stomach, and made it appear as if several people were making their escape out of the knees of Finn's breeches. Finn fell down on his knees to bless the ventriloquist, and declares that they have never since troubled him, and that he can now read his prayer-book in peace and quietness; a thing never before permitted him to do.
[Tipperary Press.]
FROM LATE FOREIGN JOURNALS.
Hypochondriacism cured by Ventriloquism.—One of the most extraordinary instances we ever heard of the power of ventriloquism was effected a few days ago, by Mr. Gallaher, in Fet hard, in the county of Wexford. A poor man by the name of Finn, who was laboring dreadfully under hypochondriacism, hearing of Mr. Gallaher, asked his parish priest, (the Rev. T. O'Flaherty,) if he might apply to that gentleman to the purpose of being cured. The clergyman, knowing that the man's disease lay solely in his imagination, thought he might be cured by the same means. He therefore recommended Finn to apply to this celebrated ventriloquist. Upon calling on Gallaher, Finn said that he used to be afflicted by fairies, who were constantly going into his mouth, and, after capering through his stomach, would then make their exit through his ears. "Oh, I see they are a great annoyance to you, my poor man," said Gallaher. He then threw his voice successively into the man's mouth and ears, and at length brought it down into his stomach, and made it appear as if several people were making their escape out of the knees of Finn's breeches. Finn fell down on his knees to bless the ventriloquist, and declares that they have never since troubled him, and that he can now read his prayer-book in peace and quietness; a thing never before permitted him to do.
[Tipperary Press.]
What sub-type of article is it?
Medical Anecdote
Superstition Cure
What keywords are associated?
Ventriloquism
Hypochondriacism
Fairies
Cure
Wexford
Imagination
Superstition
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Gallaher
Finn
Rev. T. O'flaherty
Where did it happen?
Fet Hard, County Of Wexford
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Fet Hard, County Of Wexford
Event Date
A Few Days Ago
Key Persons
Mr. Gallaher
Finn
Rev. T. O'flaherty
Outcome
finn cured of imaginary fairy afflictions and can now read his prayer-book in peace
Event Details
Ventriloquist Mr. Gallaher cured hypochondriac Finn, who believed fairies entered his mouth, capered in his stomach, and exited his ears, by simulating these movements with ventriloquism, making it seem fairies escaped from his breeches knees.