THE INTRODUCTION. As the object of this Work, entitled the MENTOR SELLARUM, is to ascertain truth for the attainment of useful knowledge and conviction, it will be no presumption to expect encouragement and applause. The construction which may be put on the nature of it is obvious, and would damp the ardour that kindles the love of science and humanity; but the hope that the Public will not censure and condemn it without fairness and candour, animates the undertaking. The work will present some features of originality; it not only embraces literary and physical subjects, but tends to the promotion of virtue and morality. It not only attempts to shew how wonderfully man is formed, but how wonderfully influenced! It not only endeavours to display the glorious works of the Almighty, but his infinite wisdom and providence! It not only takes a view of the vicissitudes of mortality, but shews why and how man cannot be otherwise than subject to them, both mentally and constitutionally; from causes externally and intentionally operating, not only by discussion and argumentation, but by copious and lucid exemplifications, founded on truth and stamped with interesting and valuable knowledge: the promise of interesting and valuable knowledge here made is full of sincerity and candour; the love of truth having excited indefatigable study, from which has resulted, it is no presumption to say, ample experience. No impropriety therefore can be attached to an undertaking supported by qualifications to fulfil this promise, at least as far as those qualifications, enabled by science, will allow. No obloquy can be justly levelled against intentions purely exerted in the diffusion of knowledge, designed really to benefit man, and furnishing the best and strongest evidences of his Creator. What can be more interesting to man—what more worthy of his study and concern—what more nobly indicative of an intelligent being, than an inclination and desire to know how he is formed, of what he is formed, and by whom he is formed? Having attained, not by oral, but experimental, instruction-not by admitting logical definitions, but exemplifying facts in corroboration of physical and moral inferences, a knowledge of himself, he is necessarily and irresistibly, led to contemplate his Creator with gratitude, with adoration, with awe! Un der the influence of conviction, his mind is as bright and glorious as the heaven he adores and contemplates! All is fervour, ecstacy, and grandeur! Unquestionable proof, that knowledge, pregnant with truth and virtue, is the path of dignity and happiness; and the more destitute we are of it, when instrumental in forming us good, as well as intelligent, the more miserable and unsafe we are. Hence the motives for the present undertaking, and reasons for inviting public attention to the science of Prognostic Astronomy; a true knowledge of which, to good minds, is an inestimable blessing; for as riches are only profitable to those who know how to appropriate them to beneficial purposes, so knowledge is unproductive and baneful unless it yields virtue and utility; as Gay elegantly writes— Gold is the canker of the breast, But when to virtuous hands 'tis given, If the knowledge of the planetary system and fixed stars, as far as it relates to their revolutions, and their influences on the atmosphere, and their uses in navigation and hus bandry; also respecting eclipses, comets, meteors, and other phenomena, be creditable and praiseworthy, why should not the knowledge of starry operation on the mind and body of man be entitled to equal estimation and applause? Nay, why does it not possess superior claims to notice and veneration? or rather to avoid invidious comparison, why are they not equally respected, since no dissimilarity marks their origin? and why not become the inseparable objects of contemplation and study, and like the two luminaries, unite in not only dispensing light, but in declaring the glory of God?* The reply will be, because the sci ence we designate Prognostic Astronomy, is replete with fallacy and delusion; because the stars cannot so far influence the mind and body as to hold that dominion over man, which superstition and enthusiasm have laboured to establish as true and insuperable, on the feigned grounds of science, with plausibility, irresistibly prevailing over minds credulous and unsuspecting; on which account it is neither creditable nor becoming a rational being to ever entertain a favourable opinion of a science deceptive and preposterous. "What has a certain cluster," says a most erudite friend of mine, "of stars being called Scorpio, another Leo, one planet Mars, another Saturn, another Venus, uncertain when, and by whom, and for what supposed analogy to do with the diseases or the dispositions of man! why the moment of his birth rather than of his conception can in general not be What though in solemn silence all, ADDISON, |