" Most of our fellow subjects are guided either by the prejudice of education, or by a deference to the judgment of those who, perhaps, in their own hearts, disapprove the opinions which they industriously spread among the multitude".

Addison.

Nothing is more true in Astrology, than the above sentence of the inimitable, accomplished, and devout Addison; for the student may rest assured, that out of a hundred persons who openly disbelieve the art, there are at least ninety who believe in it in secret: although such is the power and influence of slavish custom, over the minds of those who dare not think for themselves, that the fear " of the world's laugh", as it is termed, hinders them from avowing their opinion - by which means, a noble science too frequently becomes neglected, and amongst men of (probably great learning, but) small judgment, is set down for an untruth.

The actual influence of the stars over the human mind, is one of the principal points in Astrology; and lest the reader of this work should here be inclined to incredulity, and urge the apparent impossibility, on account of their great distances, we beg him to remember that the astonishing influence of the Sun and Moon over the waters of the vast and stormy ocean, (by which our tides are produced) is admitted, without dispute, by all classes, whether learned or simple; and as man is an animal subject t6 the same mighty laws which govern the universe at large, he must be also perpetually affected thereby. Hence, the same cause which sets in motion the waters of the unfa-thomable deep, is perpetually producing various fluctuations in the atmosphere wherein we live and breathe; neither can the human body be sensibly affected, without the mind partaking at the same time of those effects which produce those corporeal sensations, as a celebrated poet expresses himself:

" Tempori coeli, corpusque, animusque mutator".

Hence, the perpetual tossing and rolling of the tide of life, is referable to the self-same cause as the tossing and rolling of the waters of the ocean, namely, planetary influence.

In all cases of which the sidereal science takes cognizance, the mind and disposition are governed by the Moon and Mercury; rules more particularly over the rational, and the over the irrational or animal soul.

As these two planets are posited in according or discordant signs, or afflicted or assisted amongst themselves, by configurations of various stars, so will be the mind and disposition of him whose Horoscope it is; in which respect their being found in different signs are to be most attentively observed; thus:

Tropical and equinoctial signs, , contribute to render the mind active, sharp, ingenious, nimble, lively, ambitious, and persevering.

Bieorporeal and common signs, , contribute to render men subtle, crafty, versatile, repining, regretting, unstable, volatile, deceitful, superficial characters; but of intense, acute, and powerful feelings.

Fixed signs (when occupied by the and ) as , are found to produce just, plain, rigid, unbending, inflexible, firm, obstinate, patient, steady, laborious, contentious, malicious, ambitious, and thrifty persons.

Whenever the and are in signs of the above quality, void of aspects, the dispositions will greatly partake of the above description; but the aspects of the planets will neutralise or modify, and alter the effects surprisingly; thus, their general qualities are.

Of , strangeness, waywardness, romantic ideas, eccentricity, perpetual wish for discovery of secrets in science or art, a love of things out of the track of custom, as antiquities and mystic learning, or enthusiastic reveries.

Of , fear, melancholy, slowness, labor, solitariness, and a propensity to weeping.

Of , honesty, candour, magnanimity, security, benevolence, good nature, and confidence.

Of , quarrels, anger, rashness, desperation, courage, propensity to war and strife, and all manner of violence.

Of , beauty, delicacy, love of poetry, music, or the fine arts, dancing, immoderate amorous desires and good taste, with elegance in every undertaking.

Of , learning, eloquence, wit, and judgment, science, and knowledge of every kind, genius and activity.

Of the , ambition, enterprise, thirst for fame, a desire to waste money, and for vain glory, every possible way.

Of the , changeableness, craft, desire for travelling and curiosities, activity and industry.

In these cases, also, the or in aspect to , never fails to produce Astrologers and Antiquarians;in aspect to , makes surgeons or warriors; and in aspect, form the genius whence arises poets, players, and musicians;and the in aspect, give satirists and contenders against public opinion;and , conduce to the study of the law or divinity; and joining therein, gives a fondness for mystic religion, sects, and heresies.

With the foregoing data for his guide, the student must well consider the natural strength or weakness of the. and ; also the accidental fortitudes or debilities they may receive by aspects with the various stars, as the aspects are far more material than any other testimony; thus, for instance, were in a common sign, which we have described, as producing an inconstant mind, (because in such a case the mind takes up with too many pursuits at once) yet if and be in close , quintile or bi-quintile, or close zodiacal parallel, the native, instead of inconstancy, will have enough of instilled into the nature of to render him a most profound and patient enquirer into the secrets of nature; and the very versatility of the aspect will tend for good,, since it will enable him to leave no means untried to obtain the truth of the matter. In all cases, this must be well remembered; and thus by a few simple principles (as infallible as humanity will allow in themselves) the student will arrive to the complete knowledge of this sublime science.