"These prognosticators," says Henry, in his History of Great Britain, vol. vi. page 109, "were so much admired and credited, that there was hardly a prince, or even an earl, or great baron, in Europe, who did not keep one or more of them, in his family, to cast the horoscopes of his children, discover the success of his designs, and the public events, that were to happen." No. CLVIII. There are sundry precepts, delivered by Heathen poets, some eighteen hundred years ago, which modern philosophy may not disregard with impunity. If it be true, and doubtless it is true, that a certain blindness to the future is given, in mercy, to man, how utterly unwise are all our efforts to rend the veil, and how preposterous withal! The wiser, even among those, who were not confirmed in the belief, that there was absolutely nothing, in the doctrines of auguries, and omens, and judicial astrology, have discountenanced all attempts to pry into the future, by a resort to such mystical agencies. The counsel of Horace to Leuconoe is fresh in the memory of every classical reader:-- "Tu ne quæsieris, scire nefas, quem mihi, quem tibi Finem Dì dederint, Leuconoë, neu Babylonios Tentàris numeros. Ut melius, quidquid erit pati! Seu plures hyemes, seu tribuit Jupiter ultimam, Quæ nunc oppositis debilitat pumicibus mare Tyrrhenum"---- The version of Francis, however imperfect, may not be unwelcome to the English reader:-- "Strive not, Leuconoe, to pry Into the secret will of fate; Nor impious magic vainly try To know our live's uncertain date. Whether th' indulgent Power divine Hath many seasons yet in store, Or this the latest winter thine, Which breaks its waves against the shore." This passage from Horace is not required, to establish the fact, that magical arts were practised, among the Babylonians. A certain measure of superstition seems to belong to the nature of man; and to grow greater or less, in proportion to the exercise, or neglect, of his reasoning faculties. From this general rule history has furnished us with eminent exceptions. Cunning, and cupidity, and credulity are destined to be ever present: it is therefore to be expected, that, from age to age, the most egregious absurdities will pass, upon a portion of the community, for sober truths.