Notices of Books . 
1 877.] 
415 
conjuror could not form the remotest idea as to how the effects 
were produced.” 
We have now concluded what has been a painful task ; but in 
the interests of truth it was necessary to show how completely 
untrustworthy is the self-appointed guide that the public so 
blindly follow. By ample references I have afforded to such of my 
readers as may be so inclined the means of testing the correctness 
of my charges against Dr. Carpenter ; and if they do so they will, 
I feel convinced, not only lose all faith in his explanations of 
these phenomena, but will also find how completely ignorant of 
this, as of most scientific subjects, are those writers in our influ- 
ential literary press who have, almost without exception, praised 
this book as a fair and complete exposition of the subjeCI on 
which it treats. 
It also seems to me that an important question of literary 
morality is here involved. While maintaining as strongly as 
anyone that new or disputed theories should be subjected 
to the fullest and severest criticism, I yet hold that this 
should not involve either misrepresentation or what has 
been termed the u conspiracy of silence.” It is, at the best, 
hard enough for new truths to make their way against the 
opposing forces of prepossession and indifference ; and bearing 
this in mind, I would ask whether it is in the interests of human 
progress and in accordance with right principles, that those who 
have the ear of the public should put forth, under the guise of 
impartial history, a thoroughly one-sided and erroneous account 
of a disputed question. It may be said that errors and mis- 
statements can be exposed, and will only injure the author of 
them ; but unfortunately this is not so. The popular view of a 
subjeCt like this is sure of a wide circulation, and writers in the 
daily and weekly papers increase its publicity, whereas few read 
the answer, and the press decline or refuse to make it known.* 
* A striking proof of this statement has been quite recently furnished us. 
The letter given below was sent by Dr. Slade to Professor E. R. Lankester. 
It would seem to exhibit, in a high degree, the characteristics of truth, fairness, 
and charity. No answer was received. The press, moreover, refused to pub- 
lish it. and the daily press, one and all, refused to insert it even as an adver- 
tisement ! 
“ Professor E. R. Lankester. 
“ Dear Sir, — Dr. Slade having in some measure recovered from his very 
severe illness, and his engagement to St. Petersburg having been postponed 
(by desire of his friends there) till the autumn, desires me to make the follow- 
ing offer 
“ He is willing to return to London for the express and sole purpose of satis- 
fying you that the slate-writing occurring in his presence is in no way pro- 
duced by any trickery of his. For this purpose he will come to your house 
unaccompanied by any one, and will sit with you at your own table, using 
your own slate and pencil ; or, if you prefer to come to his room it will suit 
him as well. 
“ In the event of any arrangement being agreed upon, Slade would prefer 
that the matter should be kept stridtly private. 
“ As he never can guarantee results, you shall give him as many as six 
trials, and more if it shall be deemed advisable. 
“ And you shall be put to no charge or expense whatever. 
