reflect on the mysterious sympathies the soaring ambition which gave them birth the enthusiasm which was imparted and strengthened by the excitement of an exclusive devotion to one science, and by its sublime studies, we may obtain some explanation why Astrology was so fascinating to its professors, and so capable of abstracting them from the common feelings and pursuits of mankind. Its origin, like that of astronomy, is enveloped in darkness. In China, which can justly lay claim to the most ancient astronomical observations, at an early period it came under the protection and supervision of the State. In Rome, Egypt, and Greece, it was a familiar study; but Chaldea seems to have been its birth-place, and her astronomers its sages. Thence it was rapidly diffused among the adjoining nations, generally receiving unhesitating belief; but occasionally meeting with strong expressions of disapprobation from such minds as Tacitus and Cicero.* Seleucus cast the horoscope of Otho, and foretold that he would succeed to the empire. † The prophecy was fulfilled, and Astrology became popular. But even prior to this period the astrologers had been inmates of the imperial palace, and friends and counsellors of its lords. It is related that Tiberius determined to test the wisdom of Thrasyllus, and after having learned his future fortune, to keep the secret, by precipitating him from a rock into the sea. Thrasyllus predicted empire. Tiberius then asked him to examine his own genital hour, and to discover, if he could, what event was about to occur. The wily astrologer, having received intimation of the reward intended by his noble master, looked into the position and the relations of the stars, started back, suddenly became pale, and answered tremblingly to Tiberius, that some calamity was just impending over his own head, and that he was then exercising his art for the last time. Tiberius, thus convinced of his prophetic ability, embraced him, and ever after made him his bosom friend.‡ In Greece, also, it had its advocates, and Ptolemy composed an explanatory treatise on the subject but it received no general countenance, till after the time of Alexander. Rooted thus in antiquity, it came down to modern times, extending its way wherever science and superstition could establish their dominion; and from its being closely connected with the study of Astronomy, retaining its power even to our own day. The principles of the art were ingenious. Each sign of the zodiac possessed its attribute. The most important of these was the horoscope, or the one just rising above the horizon, at the hour of birth, or at the time of a prediction. The planets were either propitious, malignant, or mixed, and their aspects happy or unhappy. Saturn portended calamity and sadness, and beautiful Venus joy and good fortune. In their ephemerides, they noted the daily appearance of the heavens, and claimed, by comparing these observations with history, the power of foretelling the precise circumstances which would happen during the life of any individual. Some of these ephemerides they asserted to be Tac. Lib. 16: Contemnamus Babylonios et eos,' etc. Cic. 1. de. Divin. Nec Babylonios teutaris numeros.' Hor. Ode 11. Lib. 1. + Fore ut imperium adsciseretur.' Tac. Lib. 1. 22. Tac. Annal. Lib. 6. It appears to be a question whether this work is not a forgery. many thousand years old, and to contain records of the situation of the stars at the period of every important occurrence. Nor were these their only claims to notice. The action of the moon on the human body when diseased, its influence on the insane, and that of the sun on animal and vegetable life, betokened a mysterious sympathetic connection. Why then should not the other heavenly bodies produce similar effects? As science advanced, and other facts were added, the disposition to generalize farther assisted this belief; and we find even the immortal Kepler, in 1606, expressing this opinion: I maintain that the colors, and aspects, and conjunctions of the planets, are impressed on the natures or faculties of sublunary things; and when they occur, that these are excited as well in forming as in moving the body over whose motion they preside.'* It is pleasing to turn from this failing of a great man, to the sarcasm of Galileo, where he denominates astrologers Nativity-casters, who believe that God, when he created the heavens, had no thought beyond what they themselves can conceive.' Such were the pretensions of Astrology, and such the character of its advocates. Janus-like, they assumed to stand between the past and the future, and to read the fate of men and empires.' 'Nullo non avido futura de se sciendi,' says Pliny; and this was the master chord of the heart, upon which they skilfully played, and secured riches and followers. What wonder that multitudes should crowd to their retreats? — the lover to learn whether his mistress would be truethe warrior to hear of his next battle - the politician the result of his schemes, and the rebel the success of his struggles? And when there, how every surrounding object added awe and admiration to their previous emotions! A modern poet has drawn a beautiful picture of one of these scenes- an astrologer's tower: ་ 'All about me 'Twas pale and dusky night, with many shadows Colossal statues, and all kings stood round me In a half circle. Each one in his hand A sceptre bore, and on his head a star; And in the tower no other light was there But from these stars: all seemed to come from them. 'These are the planets,' said that low old man : 'They govern worldly fate, and for that cause Are imaged here as kings. The farthest from you, an old man melancholy, The star upon her head was soft and bright, - * And at his side I saw the sun and moon.' It would have been strange, indeed, if the understanding had stood firm against this united appeal to our foibles, our sympathies, and our aspiraan appeal made, too, by the seductive voice of pretended science. tions VOL. VII. * Principles of Astrology, 1606. 18 On the contrary, from these combined causes, Astrology, unchecked by the progress of knowledge, must have retained its commanding influence, as long as the materials upon which it operated continued to be principles of human nature. Accordingly, we find believers in its truth, at the close of the seventeenth century, and these individuals, otherwise of no inconsiderable abilities. It is said of Charles the Ninth of France, that having been assured by an astrologer that he would live as many days as he should turn about on one leg, His Most Christian Majesty was accustomed to engage in this spinning exercise an hour every morning! This might readily be expected of such a monarch; but it is somewhat difficult to credit, that Charles the Second, a prince of capacity, should have relied on the predictions; or that the canting Round-heads should have trusted to the prophecies of the successors of the magicians of Chaldea. It is wonderful how long this bold imposition preserved its grasp on the heart and imagination, though Reason combatted its conclusions, and Science frowned on its daring assertions. Without examining well into its character, it is almost impossible to believe that it still stood, though not unshaken, during the revolutions made by Bacon in the long established principles of philosophy, and even after the splendid astronomical discoveries of Galileo. But these were its last struggles, and with the exception of some eastern countries where faith is still attached to it, its doctrines meet with general disbelief. Its falsity has been exposed by the severe scrutiny of modern observation. It was the sister of Astronomy, and began its existence in that land which was the birth-place of knowledge and religion. In the midst of the plains of Shinar and from the great Observatory of Babelt did the astrologer first watch the motions of the stars. As its source began in the youth and increased with the progression, so has its power been destroyed by the perfection of science; and now, when we know that the laws which regulate the universe are at complete variance with its pretensions, we can perceive the true glory of knowledge, in sweeping away those relics of superstition which clog the footsteps of man in his march toward perfection. But still we cannot think Astrology deserves the name of a 'degrading superstition.' It sprang from the best feelings and from the noblest ambition. It claimed affinity with science, and ranked its most devoted students among its members. Knowledge owes it a heavy debt, for the most valued observations were made by the astrologist for a long series of centuries. Astronomy could hardly have arrived at its present station as the most complete of sciences, without these records; and it is certain that the principal cause of its study in Arabia and Modern Europe was the wish to develope the future by the assistance of the stars. In 1791, a Reis Effendi was appointed by the Sultan, but before accepting the office, requested time to consult the stars. In Judea, it is usual to find an astrologer one of the town officers. Life of Sir James Mackintosh: vol. 2, 8. + Pliny, Lib. 6. c. 26. Strabo, 16. 739. Two hundred years ago, the court astrologer of the Emperor Rudolf, whose name is embalmed in the history of Astronomy, says: Ye overwise philosophers, ye censure this daughter of Astronomy beyond her deserts. Know you not that she must support her mother by her charms? How many would be in a condition to devote themselves to Astronomy, if men did not entertain hopes of reading the future in the heavens !' L'homme porté par les illusions des sens à se regarder comme centre de l'univers se persuader facilement que les astrés influent sa destinée, et qu'il est possible de la prévoir par l'observation de leur aspects au moment de sa naissance,' remarks La Place. Be it so. Yet this vanity has been the foundation of a science which has tended more than any other to enlarge the sphere of thought, and elevate the human character-in the end to overturn the very superstition which gave it rise to place man on an eminence where he sees his true title to superiority, and to afford one of the most glorious of the many proofs of the existence of a God, and of the ultimate destruction of the globe. Such superstitions, if they be so called, are fruitful of good: they excite curiosity, and cultivate a taste for science; and at last, like the palin of Palestine, there springs from them a young and vigorous tree, receiving strength from the roots, and nourished by the ashes of the parent. A. LINES TO A CLOAK. BY AN AUTHOR WRAPPED UP IN THE THREAD-BARE SUBJECT. WE must part, then,' said Rosalie is it so? Ah, Eugene, I confess I tremble for you. Thrown out under such circumstances, at this time of life, to push your way in the world, what toils, disappointments, and sufferings may await you ! What chance can there be for the young, poor, and friendless, where Prosperity laughs at Misfortune, Power tramples upon Weakness, and Temptation preys upon Inexperience?' A dreadful picture is that you have drawn of the great world, my dear Rosalie,' said Eugene, smiling. 'Suppose we view it in another light. Let us consider it as one vast and glorious amphitheatre, upon whose arena, genius and industry, exertion and talent, are striving for the rewards which await the meritorious.' เ And how many hearts,' rejoined Rosalie, sadly, are broken in the conflict ! How many are trodden down beneath the feet of the jostling aspirants! If one succeeds, yet how many fail! Beside, others have friends to help them on, - you have none. None but one, and she can only aid you by her prayers. Others have wealth Your path is solitary before you. Neither influence nor fortune smiles upon it.' - you are poor. Is it then under the most favorable circumstances that the greatest and most successful characters are formed?' replied Eugene, proudly. 'The oak of the mountain or the forest, is not nurtured in a hot-house, but it strikes its roots and rears its branches amid the winds and storms of its native skies. Look around you, Rosalie. Is it the nursling of wealth or fortune, who has been dandled into manhood on the lap of Prosperity, who carries away the world's honors, or wins its mightiest influences? Or, is it not rather the man whose earlier years, like mine, were scarcely cheered by a single proffer of aid, or smile of approbation, and who has drawn from adversity the elements of greatness? You take it for granted that I shall be weak, unsuccessful, unfortunate. I have the confidence to believe that, under God, I shall be neither.' 'You know not the future, my dear Eugene. How many misfortunes may be in store for you! And at the best, how much toil, how many anxieties, how many sorrows, may cluster around your destined path, and must inevitably attend upon the duties and difficulties of the most arduous of professions!' 'Out upon thee, for a bird of ill-omen!' said Eugene, laughing. Do you not know that fortune ever flees the faint heart? And as to difficulties, the greater the obstacles, the greater the conquest; the greater the conquest, the greater the glory. You speak of sorrowsthey are in a degree the common lot of all.' 'But most have friends, or other blessings, to aid in bearing them.' 'True.' But you, if you if fail if your favorite object eludes your grasp your vision of ambition flees before you, or vanishes away if treachery betrays and wounds you what have you then for consolation?' |