The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-13 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—I have seen in the newspapers the state-
ment of a man who has been brought before Mr.
Norton, the Lambeth police magistrate, on account
of his misconduct towards persons whom be has
mesmerised, or influenced in some manner, to their
prejudice.
The magistrate is reported to have observed that
there is some truth in mesmerism, and that the
science may be used wrongfully. So far as its truth
is concerned, the reports of the London Mesmeric
Infirmary, published in your journal, are sufficient
evidence in its favour. It is certain, also, that this
science, like phrenology, electro-biology, and astral
science may be misapplied.

Surely it is time that the Legislature should inter-
fere and prevent the public from impostures, from
fraudulent pseudo-philosophers ! Will some one of
our legislators, Mr. Ewart, M.P., for instance, con-
sider the matter during this long vacation ?
So far as astral science is concerned, he maY
derive knowledge from my works reviewed in your
columns at various times, upon the subject of its
legal restriction, and illegal practice notwithstand-
ing. I allude to my " Plea for Urania" (Sun, 14th
Feb., 1856), " Astrology in a Nutshell" (21st
March, 1862), and " Curiosities of Occult Litera-
ture" (Bth Sept., 1863), where cases of fraud are
named ! The man Bell—mentioned in the last
volume—was summoned before Mr. Norton, for
fortune-telling in 1851, when my legal knowledge
was first exerted in the cause. I have understood,
at various times and seasons since, that some decided
movement on the part of the Legislature would be
made to prevent astral imposture, and such scandals
as I exposed in my last-named work, and I do hops
that a Government, which includes two well-known
literary names, may speedily cause justice to be
done for the public benefit.-1 am, sir, yours
obediently,

CIIR. COON..

London, 10th August, 1866.

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

CARNARVONS HIRE.
The elevation of Colonel the Hon. E. G. Douglafi
Pennant to the peerage under the title of Baron
Penrhyn of Llandegai, has caused a vacancy in the
representation of the county of Carnarvon. Baron
Penhryn's eldest son, Captain G. Douglas Pennant,
is the only candidate as yet in the field, and as the
influence of the Penrhyn family is paramount in the
county it is not expected that any other candidate
will appear, and the return of Captain Pennant i°
considered already a fact, though the election doe°
not take place until Tuesday, the 14th inst. The
following are the most important portions of the
address issued by Captain Pennant :—" My political
principles are essentially Conservative, not in that
bigoted sense which is attributed to them by the
enemies of order and good government, but in that
Conservative and really liberal spirit which will ad"
mit of the introduction of every useful change an
Ai
improvement iu our institutions, while it will resist
every attempt to undermine tie foundations 03
which they rest. In regard to the subject which..
has lately occupied the attention of Parliament--1
mean that of Reform—l shall be anxious to pro-
mote the admission to the franchise of all those who,
by education and intelligence, are worthy of it, bait
I am against the wholesale admission of any one
class to the suppression of all opinion on the part of
the other classes of society."

SHROPSHIRE (NORTH).
Much surprise was occasioned in North ShroP"
shire on Saturday by the announcement of the fa°
that Major Cust had retired from the rept escutati°ll
of the constituency. It was rumoured that the
nephew of the late member, Mr. Adelbert Welling'
ton Cust, would offer himself for the vacant seat,
and later in the day the rumour was confirmed 11,
the appearance of an address to the electors signe'
by that gentleman. Mr. Cust says My PriLti
ciples are Conservative, and I shall give my genera
support to the Government of Lord Derby. I
a member of the Established Church, and warn'irt
attached to it. lam most anxious that the greatest
harmony and kindly feeling should exist between
her and those who differ from her communi°l3.;
With these feelings, although I will never cons°,
to the unconditional abolition of church rates,
would gladly see the question put on a better footsing to meet the views of all denominations, 0
the interests of the Church are maintained. .-"It
legislation of recent years has pressed sornewb,3o
hardly on the agricultural classes. This being
case, I consider that all restrictions should be re.
moved which prevent them from turning their pr°eo
duce to the best account, and, when the fillanc„,p,
s
1
of the country admit of it, I shall urgently Ares
the Government the diminution and eventual ab°io
tion of the malt tax. The question of reform
Parliament has occupied considerable attention dllri;
ing the late session. I would gladly consent _
measure which would give the franchise to van"coJt
who, though duly qualified to use it with judgin.4.,
and moderation, are now excluded from that rl',Sting
lege, but I will never consent to see the exof
voters swamped by an indiscriminate admission.
sit,o
persons who have neither education nor propertY
justify their claim." At present no PPP° io 1°
talked of.