[Footnote A: _Cicero_ translated the Phænomena of _Aratus_ into Latin Verse. _Julius Cæsar_, as _Pliny_ relates, wrote of Astronomy in _Greek_, and is said to have left several Books of the Motion of the Stars behind him, derived from the Doctrine of the _Egyptians_. _Ant. Chris._ 45. He with _Sosigenes_ reformed the _Roman_ Year, which was first invented by _Numa Pompilius_. _Germanicus Cæsar_ also translated _Aratus's_ Phænomena into _Latin_ Verse _Anno Dom._ 15. _Tiberius_ and _Hadrian_ are also said to have wrote on Astronomy.] We have many Instances to shew, that Astronomy was in the greatest Repute amongst the Antients of all Ranks, and almost every where looked upon as one of the greatest, if not as one of the first Qualifications of their best Men. As a Confirmation of which, we find in the historical Accounts of the _Argives_, a very warm Contest betwixt the two Sons of _Pelops_ 1205 Years before _Christ_, thus testified by _Lucian_: When the _Argives_, by publick Consent, had decreed that the Kingdom should fall to him of the two, who should manifest himself the most learned in the Knowledge of the Stars, _Thyestes_ thereupon is said to have made known to them, the Constellation, or Sign of the _Zodiack_ call'd _Aries_: But _Atreus_ at the same time discovering to them the Course of the Sun, with his various Rising and Setting, demonstrating his Motion to be [B]contrary to that of the Heavens, or diurnal Motion of the Stars, was thereupon elected King. [Footnote B: Hence arose the Fable of the Sun's going backwards in the Days of _Atreus_, as if struck with Abhorrence of his bloody Banquet. _Vide Ovid's_ Metamorphosis.] To recite more of the most eminent Patrons and Professors of this kind of Learning here, will carry me too far from my present Purpose; for farther Information therefore, I shall refer the inquisitive Reader, to that curious Catalogue in _Sherburn's_ Sphere of _Manilius_, where so many ruling [C]Men of all Ages and Nations swell, and illustrate the Number. [Footnote C: Seven Emperors, nine Kings, and as many sovereign Princes. _Charlemagne_ wrote _Ephemerides_, and named the Months and Winds in _High Dutch_, 770. _Rich._ II. _&c._] In a Word, when we look upon the Universe as a vast Infinity of Worlds, acted upon by an eternal Agent, and crowded full of Beings, all tending through their various States to a final Perfection, and reflect upon the many illustrious Personages, who have, from time to time, thought it a kind of Duty to become Observers, and consequently Admirers of this stupendous Sphere of primary Bodies, and diligent Enquirers into the general Laws and Principles of Nature, who can avoid being filled with a kind of enthusiastic Ambition, to be acknowledged one of the Number, who, as it were, by thus adding his Atom to the Whole, humbly endeavours to contribute towards the due Adoration of its great and divine Author.