that her stature should equal his; and for this purpose she puffed and blowed, and strained and swelled, till at last she positively burst herself. dum vult validius Inflare sese rupto jacuit corpore." In my next I intend to comment upon some of the precious principles of the astrological art, a science falsely so called. I am, Sir, &c. November 24th, 1835. T. H. MOODY. LETTER II. SIR, THE reason why I have not confined my arguments against astrology to the precincts of the Athenæum, but have availed myself of your respectable journal, as a more extensive means of communication, are because I have been informed by two gentlemen, well known to Lieut. Morrison, that the minds of several persons in Cheltenham have been rendered unhappy by astrological predictions, and because the works of that gentleman are publicly vended in our town and other parts of England. At the end of Zadkiel's Almanac for 1836, is the following notice: "Individuals desiring to become acquainted with any branch of astrology, may receive instructions from the author, by addressing him by letter only, post paid, as follows:- Zadkiel, care of Mr. Denley, bookseller, Catherine street, Strand, London.' The terms for a sufficient number of lessons to acquire the art of calculating nativities are 10.; for a single lesson in any branch of the science, 11.; for preparing a figure, 21.; and bringing up the directions through life, 51." At the conclusion of the Horoscope for 1834, we have another announcement: "Persons wishing to consult the editor, may direct as follows: -To Zadkiel, care of Mr. Hyde, Post Office, Cheltenham.' Letters must be post paid. N.B. Nativities cannot be calculated, unless the time and place of birth be stated, and the period of some remarkable events of life be mentioned, to correct the estimated time. Note. The editor will publish an edition of Lilly's Astrology in February, 1835; and the Astrological Tables in a few days." It is probable Lieutenant Morrison may consider that the sale of his works, and his practice as an astrological professor, are beneficial to the community; but, as I widely differ from him on this subject, and think that both are productive of considerable evil, I am desirous that my refutation of this presumptuous art may have all the publicity possible; and I deeply regret that the talents of this gentleman, which are very considerable, are not embarked in a better cause. Among the many claims which astrology is thought to have, by its fond adherents, to public patronage, is its extreme antiquity; its professors would have us suppose, that nothing in the shape of solid objection had ever been offered to its principles by the ancients; and that all opposition to their celestial chimeras is comparatively modern. This is intimated in the Grammar of Astrology, already noticed, and more expressly stated in the Horoscope of 1834, "edited by Zadkiel, Author of the Grammar of Astrology."-At page 131 is the following remark : "We are QUITE CERTAIN that the prejudice against astrology owes its origin chiefly to the cant and hypocrisy of the Puritans in the time of Cromwell." This is a fine specimen of astrological certainty: but, upon looking through the mist of time-passing to a distant age, I find an illustrious Roman raising his honoured voice against the superstition. Nearly two thousand years ago, the great Cicero poured forth the'powers of his mighty mind against the growing evil. Are the objections but of yesterday? See the third volume of his works, where he commences a course of close consecutive argument, conclusive against the principles of astrology. "Ad Chaldæorum, monstra veniamus, &c." "O delirationem incredibilem, &c."* Yet, in the Horoscope (p. 13,) Cicero, Pliny, Horace, &c. are claimed as authorities for the art; and, at page 143, these great men, with several others, are again mentioned as its supporters, and in this place the learned writer mentions Cicero and Tully as two distinct persons! I lay no great stress upon heathen authority, but I am desirous to rescue * Appendix, No. 3. the reputation of these eminent writers from the odium of astrological eulogy, to dissipate the loathsome fog that clouds their memories in the Horoscope, and to deprive the astrologer of the sanction of such names. "Tu ne quæsieris (scire nefas) quem mihi, quem tibi HOR. OD. 11. That is "Seek not, Leuconoe, to inform yourself what end the Gods have given me or you; this curiosity is forbidden; and consult not the calculations of the Babylonians," &c. Or according to Francis "Strive not Leuconoe, to pry Into the secret will of fate; Nor impious magic vainly try, To know our lives' uncertain date." Producis genio," &c. "For men of different inclinations are, Though born, perhaps, beneath one common star; In the same sign, almost the same degree." Juvenal, too, ridicules astrological folly in his sixth satire "Chaldæis sed major erit fiducia: quidquid |