[PRICE TWOPENce.

fays among the sorrel, no longer does he hearken at twilight. for the faint murmur of their music in the grass, no longer does he shake the cherry boughs to see a shower of fairies dropping from the blossoms; the mushroom and the green circles are shorn of their mystic associations; the shady brake and sunny glade are abandoned only to the lizard and the casual deer. Society, on the average, is satisfied with knowing that carbonic acid is absorbed by vegetation, and that oxygen is exhaled in exchange, that the gossamer upon the dandelion is a mere ordinary seedling, caught up upon the rustling surges of the wind, and sown at random, and not a feather for the, bonnet of some knight among the elves. On the contrary, such conceptions are derided as both frivolous and mawkish, and the icy worlding turns him again to his ledger and slate with a contemptuous shrug, and leaves the stupendous forests, as he imagines, a vast solitude, a region of unpeopled fruitfulness. Those, however, who can appreciate, even to a small extent, the divine economy which Omniscience everywhere displays in the ordering of his creation, can readily dispense with the accordance of the mere animals in human shape. They can per

CHARMING legends have been conjured up from the remotest of primeval day sabout certain elfin creatures which were supposed to inhabit the forest scenery and people the wild herbs with aërial life. Such were the reveries of our ancestors, which gradually merged into those delicious embodiments of fancy called the "fairies," and reduced the dim suspicions which had been formerly entertained with regard to a species of spiritual populace among the woodlands to a mere reality and matter-of-fact. Insomuch did these poetical creations fasten upon the popular mind, that the peasant no more doubted of the existence of Titania or Oberon than he did of that of the rabbits in the adjacent warren, while the upsetting of a milk. pail or the breaking of a porringer was invariably attributed to the mischievous agency of Puck. Unhappily, it has become too much the custom, now-a-days, to ridicule these eccentric notions, and to look with a frigid eye of pity upon the ignorance of our forefathers. Now, although we do not ambition to become the resurrectionist of a worn-out fable, we must express our deepest admiration for those sentiments which un-ceive the matchless amplitude of nature, and the compactness doubtedly originated a dream so beautiful and good as this. No longer does man picture to himself the dim dancing of the

with which the Deity has stored its every shred and fibre with innumerous lives; they can behold the prodigal willing of the

First Cause, and, reasoning by analogy, they can look out upon A FEW LEAVES OF FATE FROM THE ASTROLOGER'S PORTFOLIO.

ERHAPS the remark

able evidences of the grand truths of the astral art, recorded in our last number, have already had their due effect on the reader's mind; but wishing to convince him more thoroughly, we continue

each of the apparent voids upon the globe, and exclaim, "This cannot be a wide waste of lonesomeness, for God loves the voluptuousness of his works; nor can we suppose that over fragments of the world he broods alone." We have already broached this theory when discoursing on the clouds, but so truthful do we deem it, and so beautiful withal, that we can never resist an opportunity of enforcing its belief upon our readers. Yes, it is ennobling to our faculties to cultivate such hypotheses as this; it lifts the mind up above the grovelling exigencies of a worldly life, it enlarges the scope of our thoughtfulness, and vivifies the operations of the inner spirit. A creed of this description is, moreover, consonant with right reason, and enlarges under the scrutiny of judgment. Impressed with the accuracy of our deduction, that a chasm of nothingness, in the midst of so much glowing profusion, is an anomaly that jars upon the intellect as an impossibility, we are assured (at heart) that the arid deserts of Arabia, solitary as they appear to the outward senses, are rife with unseen existences. How much more conceivable is it, therefore, that the glorious and umbrageous woodlands which are scattered with such beneficence over the territories of the two hemispheres are not, according to the popular supposition, abandoned only to the intermittent bands of wolves and jackals, but are rather haunted by myriads of invisible and admirable creatures!-that these fantastic legends of the older times about the fairy frequenters of the green dells are not simply chimerical and fabulous, but are, on the contrary, evidences that our ancestors entertained a vague conception of the actual state of things! Under this aspect, the loveliness of our leafy glades are enhanced a thousand-fold, for we then revel in the consideration that our pleasures in those verdant nooks are participated by multitudes of unseen but sentient beings, and that the same delicate foliage of the chestnut and the whortleberry that screens us from the effulgence of the sunbeams, forms the resort of more lofty and purified spirits. These circumstances would, moreover, account for the origin of that excessive and mysterious gladness which thrills us to the very heart, and brims up to the eyes in a "stress of marvellous joy," when alone among the underwood of the silent trees. Then, stirred at the credence of the vicinity of our mute and mystic companions, we are enabled more fully to rejoice in the deli-events which cause kingdoms to rock and reel to their centres;

cious majesty of the branches, and loiter with increased delight among these sylvan scenes, when, in the fine and thoughtful language of a favourite poet,

THE TRUE END OF INTELLECTUAL CULTIVATION.-The highest purpose of intellectual cultivation is to give a man a perfect knowledge and mastery of his own inner self, to render our consciousness its own light and its own mirror.

Were a declaimer against the celestial science to be told, that all men were, more or less, believers in astrology, he might, probably, feel inclined to scoff at the veracity of the speaker. Such, however, is in reality the fact; for all men are subject to the changes of the seasons, the periodical return of heat and cold, light and darkness, which, as well as the ebbing and flowing of the tides, are the most prominent parts of judicial astrology; planetary influence being in these universally felt and the weather, and the various phenomena which affect the admitted; and thus far all men are astrologers. Changes in atmosphere, proceed from the same cause, which is neither more nor less than the positions, aspects, and configurations of the stars.

To the same source are readily traced the dispositions, habits, and fortunes, of individuals, as well as those mighty

those which originate the foundation of new dynasties, which give rise to new laws, customs; and, in short, those causes which, acting by gentle or opposite means, "raise the beggar from the dust to sit with princes," which pull down the pride of the lofty, and make or mar all earthly happiness; for every organised being in the universe is amenable to the "skyey influences."

Nothing can prove this celestial influence more than the strange succession of fortunate and unfortunate events, experienced by many individuals. Some there are, who glide quietly through life, floating upon the stream of time like a boat on the waters of a broad and tranquil river, carried on by an unruffled tide of prosperity, and lighted to their journey's end by the cloudless sun of happiness; others, again, are to be met with, whose star seemed to rise in clouds, to hold its course through storms, and to set in blacker darkness than that which gave it birth. The whole lives of some individuals are but a manifold succession of continual disasters, trials, labours,

and disappointments. Thousands, to whom not any blame can be attached on account of injudicious or improper conduct, are injured, and eventually ruined, by a strange and singular concatenation of circumstances which no human prudence could prevent. Certain times and seasons are found to be more than usually disastrous and evil to certain people; a fatality frequently runs through whole families, numbers of whom frequently die together, through the sympathy in their horoscopes. Some seasons are notoriously remarkable for heat and dryness, wet and cold; at other times malaria, floating, as it were, in the air, causes unusual mortality.

The brute creation, the insect tribe, the vegetable world, nay, even the shell fish at the bottom of the unfathomable ocean, feel and succumb to the effects of this occult influence, inherent in the stars. To ascribe such events to the will of Providence alone, is merely an equivocation. Providence, no doubt, by its divine will, rules over all things; but we are not the less honouring it by unravelling the mighty machinery of the stars and planets, which are the secondary causes in the hands of the Almighty to govern the universe. Providence wills it to be so this we grant; but these are the means by which it effects its sublime purpose. And who shall gainsay the power of Him who holds his midnight counsels with the wide-spread book of Heaven, where the God of light and truth has left the impress of his own image?

Ye stars! bright legions that before all time
Camp'd on yon plain of sapphire, what shall tell
Your burning myriads, but the eye of HIM

Who bade through Heaven your golden chariots wheel?
Yet who earth-born can see your hosts, nor feel
Immortal impulses-eternity?

What wonder if the o'erwrought soul should reel
With its own weight of thought, when the keen eye
Sees fate within your track of sleepless glory lie?

For ye behold the mightiest. From that steep
What ages have worshipped around your King.
Ye heard his trumpet sounded o'er earth's steep;
Ye heard the morning angel's o'er it sing.
Upon that orb, above me quivering,

Gaz'd Adam from his bower in paradise;
The wanderers of the deluge saw it spring
Above the buried world, and hail'd its rise,

Lighting their lonely track with Faith's celestial dyes. Doubtless, it may be affirmed that there is an advantage in learning, both for the usefulness and the pleasures thereof. There is something (as a great writer observes), "positively agreeable to all men-to all at least whose nature is not most grovelling and base, in gaining knowledge for its own sake; all this kind of gratification is of a pure and disinterested nature, and has no reference to any of the common purposes of life; yet it is a pleasure-an enjoyment; while the practical uses of any science or branch of knowledge are undoubtedly of the highest importance; and there is hardly any man who may not gain some positive advantage in his worldly wealth and comfort by increasing his stock of information." Even the mere gratification of curiosity, the knowing more to-day than we knew yesterday, the understanding clearly what before seemed obscure and puzzling, the contemplation of general truths, and the compounding together of different things-is an agreeable occupation of the mind; and besides the present enjoyment, elevates the faculties above vulgar pursuits, "purifies and refines the passions, and helps our reason to assuage their violence." Hence, the utility of judicial astrology; since the calculation of a nativity presents a most scientific and ingenious, as well as curious process, so admirable in all its parts, and so beautiful in itself (leaving truth even out of the question), as to strike the mind even with wonder. The data on which the astrologers' predictions are founded being mathematically and philosophically deduced from an analysis of the cycles, arcs, and evolutions of the heavenly bodies, as they move forward through the ethereal fields of celestial space. Astrology is, in fact, one of the most sublime of all the sciences, and it shines forth with unblemished lustre when applied to the sublunary fates of mortals; since it not only leads us to examine our own failings, but will, in almost

every instance, afford consolation in the afflictions of this
transitory life; and this, too, by lawful means-as lawful as
the most innocent amusements of society.
And here it may be fearlessly inquired, who is there among
men that would not ask concerning his future fate, did he
believe in, or were he in possession of, the means? Even the
most cursory retrospect of our past life would furnish us with
numerous instances, where the possession of a little foresight
might have had wondrous efficacy in the promotion or mitiga-
tion of disasters or troubles-cases wherein a little such know-
ledge as astrology furnishes by reading the stars, would have
been invaluable. And it is well known to the students in this
art, and worth noticing in these pages, that there is scarcely
an enterprise, or speculation, or indeed any concern of human
life, whether relating to subjects of weal or woe, sickness or
health, marriage, travelling, life, or even death itself, but a
skilful astrologer can give a tolerable and, in most cases, a cor-
rect presage of the leading events thereof, and its final termi-
nation. Cowards may, indeed, shrink from the mere contem-
plation of the fate which awaits them; evil minded persons
may dread discovery and retribution; a few sceptics may
doubt; and fanatics or bigots may deride; but the sun still
shines in the heavens, the moon still holds on her refulgent
path through the starry firmament; and while these splendid
monuments of astrology remain glittering on high, even as so
many glorious landmarks, the denial of the art is vain and
superfluous.

Even the common world

Teems out with things we know not; and our mind,
Too gross for us to scan the mighty whole,
Knows not how busy all creation is.

A rehearsal of the records written on the roll of antiquity, as with a "living pen," furnishes the most elaborate proofs of this extraordinary power possessed by astrologers. Cowley, the celebrated poet, writes thus:

'Tis said that in the natal hour

The stars of Heaven have wondrous power!
The planets bright in goodly show,

Govern and rule all things below!

"Tis said that prophet, priest, and seer,

All honour the astrologer.

And well we know that legends old

Have oft of seers and prophets told!

In the reign of Darius Hystapsis, King of Persia, flourished a celebrated astrologer, whose name was Gjamasp, surnamed Al Hakim, or the Wise. The most credible writers say that he was the brother of King Gushtap, and his confidant, and chief minister. Dr. Thomas Hyde, in speaking of this philosopher, cites a passage from a very ancient author, having before told us that this author asserted there had been, among the Persians, ten doctors of such consummate wisdom as the whole world could not boast of the like. He then gives the author's words-" Of these, the sixth was Gjamasp, an astrologer, who was the author of a book, intitled "Judicia Gjmaspis," in which is contained his judgment on the planetary conjunctions. And therein he gave notice that Mohammed should be born; that the Magian religion should be abolished, &c.; nor did any astrologer ever come up to him." He also wrote an account of all the great conjunctions of the planets which had happened before his time, and which were to happen in succeeding ages, and wherein the appearance of new religions, and the rise of new monarchies, were exactly set down.

Albumazar, a professor of judicial astrology at Bagdad, in the caliphate of Almamorem, became wonderfully famous. He wrote expressly from the Persian astrologers, and, it may be, from the works of Gjamasp.

The appearance of a comet determined the intrepid and ferocious Timour, in the midst of his quarrels with Baezed 1., to decide for war. He was at first impelled by terror to prepare the means of avoiding a rupture with the Othomans, when he consulted Abdullah Lissan, at that time the most skilful astrologer of the East, and desired his opinion respecting the tendency of the comet. The astrologer declared that this phenomenon having appeared to the west of his dominions, and of the constellation Aries, could only have an evil influence

In the reign of Selim II. (1572), there appeered a comet, which had the brightness and magnitude of Venus. This excited his apprehensions, which were augmented by the pre-captains of his time, as well as one of the bravest and boldest dictions of his astrologers, who declared that this phenomenon announced the calamities which excessive rain would inflict upon the empire. Forty days afterwards, says the historian, "they imagined themselves threatened with an universal deluge." Incessant rains overflowed his dominions in Europe and Asia; laid waste three of his chief cities; swept away on all sides, men, cattle, houses, and rendered impassable, during several weeks, the bridges and public roads. This prediction, which is well authenticated by historians, affords a striking instance of the singular skill possessed by the Arabian astrologers, and how astonishingly correct those rules must have been on which their presages were founded.

thus the second prediction was verified, in a manner equally strange, and out of the reach of human foresight to penetrate, unassisted by the rules of art. Let us now proceed to the fulfilment of the third prediction, which took place soon after.

It is to be observed, that though the intelligence of the count proved false with respect to the persons concerned, which very probably was the result of his own suspicions, yet his information was right enough in the main; for a conspiracy was acctually carrying on, to place the city of Remini into the hands of the Pope; and it was accordingly seized by the Duc de-Valentinois not long after; but in the confusion which this occasioned Pandolpho made his escape. He fled for some time from place to place, vigorously pursued by his enemies, and meeting (as is generally the case with tyrants) with very few friends: at length, having endeavoured to show dissension among his own children, he was abandoned by them, and all else; inasmuch that, falling ill of a languishing disease at Bologna, where nobody cared for him, he was at last carried to the hospital, where he dragged out his days in penury and pain, and at last died there exactly as the astrologer had foretold.

The death of William, the Earl of Pembroke, was foretold by Lady Davy, from his horoscope, to happen on his birthday, in 1630 (which is mentioned in Rushworth's collections). When evening came, the earl cheerfully took notice "how well he was;" saying, "he would for Lady Davy's sake, never trust a female prophetess again."-He was, notwithstanding, found dead in his bed next morning!

If these facts are not sufficient to excite the attention of the incredulous, we would point out to their notice the obvious effects of that dread celestial messenger, the "blazing Comet," which was never more plainly exemplified than in the life and fortunes of the now harmless, but once puissant conqueror, Napoleon Bonaparte. Without tracing his career of fame to his forlorn end, be it first of all remembered that he was born in August, 1769, and for several months preceding his birth the northern regions of the heavens were visited by one of those blazing messengers of fate; and without following his steps to the summit of his fame, let us pause a moment to behold him upon it, surrounded by majesty of his own creating. Himself seated on the throne of the world; Spain on his west, the allotted portion of one brother; Westphalia, of another, on his eastern quarter; Holland on his north, having the third for her king; and on his south, with the crown of Naples, was decked the husband of his sister! At every point were his military dukes and minor relatives posted; and the validity of his solid greatness seemed ratified by his illustrious marriage with the Archduchess of Austria. Could anything human appear more stable than the monarchy of France in 1811? But at the meridian of his glory a comet of prodigious character came to witness his eminent station! Returning from its perihelion, that magnificient luminary became faintly preceptible at the beginning of September, 1811, at which time it had acquired 200 of celestial North latitude, and was then vertical in the latitude of Corsica, and the southern extremity of natural France! Its splendour continued to increase, until it had reached 480 of latitude, at which time, blazing with unspeakable splendour, it hovered upon the latitude of Paris. Having traversed the heavens in such a track as to reign vertically over every point of latitude from south to north of France (let it be strictly noticed that its highest degree of lustre was at that precise time when it was on the meridian and zenith of Paris at noon-day!), it again retreated towards the south, retracing back again the whole of France, until it vanished over the latitude of Corsica. Can any reflecting mind fail to associate the appearance of this illustrious messenger of the skies with the fate of Napoleon? Let it also be remembered, that during the few latter weeks of his life, whilst the spirit of his mortal existence was gradually evaporating, the same blazing star of fate again appeared, as though it came a bark launched on the calm wide azure sea of heaven to meet his soul expiring, and bear it hence to its realm of rest! Let its errand be what it might, these facts are certain,-that at his birth it ministered; it came again, and testified his fame; once more it came, to beam

upon his bier! Reader, we would have thee reflect on the foregoing, and thou wilt doubtless come to the conclusion that a mighty power is, for wise purposes, given to the stars.

TWILIGHT.

YES, there's a spell in twilight's hour,
Of mystic, of resistless power;
Through the mind its magic charm
Sheds a soft, a soothing balm;
O'er the soul it flings a chain,
Bringing in review again

Thoughts and scenes we deemed had fled,
O'er which perchance our hearts have bled;
Yet through mem'ry's glass now viewed,
And twilight's hour of solitude,

In more soft and mellow light,

They cross our spell-bound memory's sight.

Strange and mystic twilight, thou
Cool'st the poet's parched brow;
In thy shade he pondering sits,
Through his mind a strange dream flits
Of the world's contempt and woe,
And he feels the keenest throe
Of disappointment-then anon
Wanders he in Helicon;

In fancy grasps his lyre, and wooes
Once again the truant muse;
Twilight soothes his feverish brain,
And Hope resumes her sway again.

Mystic twilight! in thy beam
Much I love to sit, and dream,
To muse on all the hopes and fears
Which have cross'd my by-gone years;
Or with hope's fond earnest eye,
Dart into futurity!

Giving to the forms of air,
Which in dim and gloom are there,
Forms of beauty-minds of fire,
While my bursting heart's desire
Is to pierce the murky gloom,
And to know my future doom!

excellent, and custom will render it the most delightful.— COUNSEL.-Pitch upon that course of life which is the most Pythagoras.

HUMAN TIME PIECE.-The following singular account appears in a recent number of a French work, the "Bibliotêque Universelle." J. D. Chevalley, a native of Switzerland, aged sixty-seven, has arrived at an astonishing degree of perfection in reckoning time by an internal movement. In his youth he was accustomed to pay great attention to the ringing of bells, and vibrations of pendulums, and by degrees he acquired the power of continuing a succesion of intervals exactly equal to those which the vibrations or sounds produced. Being on board the steam-boat on the lake of Geneva on July 14, 1823, he engaged to indicate to the crowd about him the lapse of a quarter of an hour, or as many minutes and seconds as any one chose to name, and this during a conversation the most diversified with those standing by; and farther, to indicate by the voice the moment when the hand passed over the quarter minutes, or half minutes, or any other sub-division previously stipulated. This he did without mistake, notwithstanding the exertions of those about him to distract his attention, and clapped his hand at the conclusion of the time fixed. His own account of it is thus given:-"I have acquired by imitation, labour, and patience, a movement which neither thoughts nor labour, nor any thing can stop. It is similar to that of a pendulum which at each motion of going and returning gives me the space of three seconds, so that twenty of them make a minute, and these I add to others continually.”