The Sun.
London, England, 1841-08-06 00:00:00

ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,--Several papers have expressed their doubt as 'to
the genuiness of my experiments on Magnetism, in Ha-
nover-square Rooms ; others are at a loss, they say, to
perceive their utility.
My object is "to prove the existence of Magnetism, and
its utility when used as a means of cure ; my endeavour
is, by means of a wide-spread publicity, to induce doctors
and men of science to inquire into, and, by its
means, relieve suffering humanity. Ido not pretend. that
Magnetism is an universal panacea, that will cure every
disease ; but, employed with discernment, in many in-
stances it can be of great service, and give relief in cases
where ordinary medical science has been unavailing.
In order to prove the existence and utility of Magne-
tism beyond a doubt, when I arrived in this country I
applied to an establishment of the deaf and dumb, having
been fortunate enough to cure in France several deaf and
dumb persons, whose complete deafness had been duly
testified by authentic proofs in my possession, and which
I aim willing to submit to your inspection. I requested
the Committee would allowlne to Magnetise, in their pre-
sence, some deaf and dumb patients of their establishment.
Thus there could have been no deception, no collusion,
and my good or bad faith might haVe been tested. The
answer freeeived from the Director was,.that the. Co-
mmittee laid referred my diMand to the medical men of the
establishment, and that i.would shortly receive an an-
swer. This was a month ago ; up to this time I- have
received no further communication.
I now appeal to the medical men, men of science and
worth,those whose public character and position in theworld
may place above suspicion, and beg of them to carefully
examine, and in an unprejudiced manner pass their judg-
ment on, Magnetism. Let seven or eight individuals, as
above alluded to, assemble and present two or three per-
sons of their own choice to be magnetised by me, in their
presence, I am in hopes of being able to convince them
of the existence and reality of Magnetism.
The few sittings I have given have caused a sensation
in your great city. Magnetism is the theme of conver-
sation ; some speak for,.others against it ; but, strange
to say, those who had never seen any experiments are
those who most loudly condemn. In these enlightened
times truth ought not to be repelled because it happens
to destroy certain theories founded on sophisms. It ought
to be carefully examined, and repulsed if false, or can-
didly acknowledged if true, for facts must ever be facts.
For the sake of truth I hope you will give publicity to
this letter, and I ardently hope my proposal will be ac-
cepted. Your most obedient servant,
3d August, 1841. L.AFONTAINE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—I notice in your City Article, in your paper of
yesterday, an allusion made to the stoppage of a leading
Demerara house. Why not give the name of that house?
which, in my opinion, would have been the most straight-
forward course fo'r an independent journal to have
adopted, thereby preventing the possibility
i of any mis-
take as to the house, as there are a number n that trade,
both here and in London
A .—Your
VERPOOL obedient sBROKER.
ervant,
Liverpool, August 4, 18 4 ',LI

•
MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.
Mr. 'Wallace, M.P., has addressed the following letter
to the editor of the Greenock Advertiser :
" Kelly, Aug. 2.
" Sir—l send enclosed a letter which I have received
this morning from Lord John Russell, from which you
will see that Parliament is certainly to meet for the
despatch of business on the 19th, and that it may be
fairly inferred, the proceedings in the House of Com-
mons will be in accordance with what I ventured to
suggest, as a proper course for Ministers to adopt, when
I had the honour of addressing the electors of Greenock
at the dinner given to Mr. Stewart and myself. It must
be borne in mind that Ministers were driven from
office before they had an opportunity of discussing the
great changes proposed in our commercial code, and
there can be no doubt the development of these
changes, and their probable effects, are as yet but, little
known throughout the country. It therefore appears to
me imperative on the advisers of the Crown to bring the
whole subject in a tangible shape before those who have
elected the present House of Commons, as well as those
who compose it, and thus enable the nation at large, along
with their Parliamentary representatives, to judge deli-
berately, not only of the measures themselves, but also of
the conduct of.those forming the leaders of the two great
parties in the State, before the reins of government shall
be wrested from the one, and be entrusted to their poli-
tical opponents.
" Believing that this course would be highly useful,
and no less satisfactory, to the great body of the • people,
I earnestly hope it may be adopted, in spite of every at-
tempt to defeat a line of policy so evidently just in itself,
however it may interfere with party views or antiquated
usages.—l am, Sir, your obedient s?rvant,
‘• 'ROBERT . WALLACE."