nice was derived from , and vixάw, to

conquer.

Berenice and Bilhah, thus being words equally descriptive of the heavens, were used to denote the same star. I have not however sufficient confidence in names alone; and shall therefore consider the history of Titus's amour with Berenice as affording us much more satisfactory evidence.

The star Bulha, or Bilhah, which is in Aquarius, rises while the Sun is yet in Capricorn, the domicile of Saturn, the star of Israel; and it sets when Aquarius sets, which according to Sir William Drummond, explains that passage of Scripture which asserts that Reuben went up to his father's bed. The same circumstance, though not

so plainly related, seems to be intimated in the mysterious pages of Tacitus.

Berenice, or Beronice, was the mistress of Titus. But when Vespasian had been saluted emperor by his troops, and his friends began to assemble their forces in his cause, (by which typical circumstances I understand the gradual increase of the Sun's power when in the sign Capricorn) Beronice, then beautiful, and young, united her assistance, and was metaphorically said to be very acceptable to the aged emperor. "Nec minore animo, (says Tacitus, Hist. lib. 2. § 81.) regina Berenice partes juvabat, florens ætate formâque, et seni quoque Vespasiano magnificentia munerum grata." If these words referred to real life, we could not avoid suspecting Beronice of too much fondness for power, or its possessor; but

we should be unjust to indulge the suspicion. If however we consider the words as allegorical, we immediately see the propriety and simplicity of the historian's language. Berenice was attached to Vespasian, as a star to its constellation.

Now Titus, though an admirable and excellent general, legislator, and emperor, is reported to have been very profligate, when under the influence of his reputed father. Combining all the circumstances we have thus enumerated, I cannot but believe that I have ascertained the astronomical emblem concealed under this obscure history. We find that Berenice is Bilhah, the concubine of Vespasian, the paramour of Titus. Titus is the sign Aquarius, his mistress is the star Bulha, the asterism of Capricorn, his supposed father.

Positive demonstration cannot be expected; but I trust my reader will at least receive my conjecture, to assist him in his further progress in this interesting and curious discovery, that the eleventh Cæsar is the eleventh sign of the Zodiac.

XII. Domitian-Simeon and Levi-Pisces.

"KIRCHER has allotted the sign of Pisces to Simeon and Levi, but without giving any reason for the conjecture: I shall endeavor to supply the deficiency."

Sir William Drummond then proceeds to`shew from the following eight clauses, that Simeon and Levi are Pisces

Simeon and Levi are brethren.

Instruments of cruelty are in their habi

tations.

my

soul, come not thou into their secret!