for prediction, he has ventured to give a hint as to the TIME OF THE QUEEN'S MARRIAGE; but in case her Majesty should not be disposed to marry at the time he has named [19 years and 11 months], a loop hole is provided a for escape; for he adds, "independently of such an occurrence, its general tendency is to promote felicity and honours-a period of much happiness and distinction to our royal native."-In justice to the author, I must observe that he does not make a trade of the art, and that he is to be considered only as an astrological amateur.

REFUTATION OF ASTROLOGY,

&c. &c.

LETTER I.

SIR

SOME time ago, I received a challenge from Lieut. Morrison, to discuss "The truth or falsehood of Astrology," and I have, in consequence, during the last month, met that gentleman, at the Athenæum, four times upon this subject; and trusting, that the arguments I there produced against this pretended science were sufficient to satisfy any unprejudiced mind, that astrology is not only an airy phantom of the imagination, but that its practice is a great evil

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to the community, and extremely offensive to the MOST HIGH; and being desirous of giving my sentiments a more extended circulation, I propose sending you a series of letters upon the subject, hoping that they may prove interesting to your readers, and be a means of promoting "the cause of God and truth,” and, consequently, of diminishing the quantum of moral evil in our land.

During the last twenty years, several new astrological works have appeared, and the high tone of confidence adopted in some of them is truly remarkable. The most learned and eminent men are challenged to discussion, and a sovereign contempt is expressed for all opponents. In the preface of Zadkiel's Almanac for 1836, is the following sentence: "I again invite Dr. Brewster, Dr. O. Gregory, or Sir John Herschel, who have spoken evil of astrology, and denied its truths, to come forward and disprove them." This reminds me of Johanna Southcote's challenging the Bishop of London to meet her in theological argument as to the truth of her wretched pretensions; in both cases I suppose the parties challenged could not forbear smiling at the determined zeal of folly, unless pity for its victims suppressed the emotion.

In the Free Press, October 31, is an advertisement from the Gloucestershire Astrological Society,

offering 1000l. to any person or persons, who shall prove that the principles of astrology are not founded on truth; which sum is to be paid by Philip Wood, who, it appears, is a professor of the "Divine and Celestial Sciences, in accordance with Scripture, reason, and the mathematics.” This modest gentleman then announces his terms for the calculation of nativities, horary questions, &c. He also has "Celestial articles, viz. : talismans lamens, vigils, amulets, prepared according to the genuine principles of Divine and celestial magic, for the removal or the mitigation of the malignant influences of the heavenly bodies, &c." It is deeply to be regretted that in a Christian land, such an advertisement should be permitted to disgrace the columns of a journal. That astrology and magic have been generally more or less connected, we have abundant evidence to prove; but it is to the former art I am to direct my attention. We live in a world of error, ignorance, and delusion, and we are informed by an inspired writer, that "It is not in man that walketh

"know

to direct his steps" (Jer. x. 23); and as we not what shall be on the morrow" (James iv. 14), it is written" Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth" (Prov. xxvii. 1). But so eager is man to discover what a gracious Providence has wisely concealed, that he

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will search heaven and earth to gratify his unhallowed propensity; but I exclaim with Pope,

"O blindness to the future, kindly given,

That each may fill the circle marked by Heaven!"

But many, deaf to the voice both of Divine and human admonition, endeavour to draw aside the curtain between them and the future, and pry into the hidden councils of heaven; and so eager are they in the vain pursuit of forbidden knowledge, that their ears are open to the voice of a vagrant gipsey, or the idle tale of an old washerwoman, who, from the dregs of an empty teacup, attempts to foretel what shall be hereafter. There is, perhaps, scarcely any object in nature, which has not, at some period or another, been employed as a means of divination.* The history of all ancient heathen nations proves them to have been immersed in superstition; nor were even the polished states of Greece and Rome exempt. In Greece itself, several hundred oracles were established; and there was scarcely a temple to be found, the priests of which did not pretend to the art of divination; and for this they had very powerful reasons, as no queries could be put to them before costly offerings were presented; and from the unbounded credulity of the ancient heathens, arose

* Appendix, No. 1.