A HISTORY OF SCIENCE 



to be diverted, unless thou seasonably crave Pardon 

 of God for being Nurse to this present Rebellion, and 

 speedily submit to thy Prince's Mercy; Which shall 

 be the daily Prayer of Geo. Wharton." 7 



In the light of after events, it is probable that Whar- 

 ton' s stock as an astrologer was not greatly enhanced 

 by this document, at least among members of the 

 Royal family. Lilly's book, on the other hand, be- 

 came a favorite with the Parliamentary army. 



After the downfall and death of Napoleon there 

 were unearthed many alleged authentic astrological 

 documents foretelling his ruin. And on the death of 

 George IV., in 1830, there appeared a document (un- 

 known, as usual, until that time) purporting to foretell 

 the death of the monarch to the day, and this without 

 the astrologer knowing that his horoscope was being 

 cast for a monarch. A full account of this prophecy 

 is told, with full belief, by Roback, a nineteenth-cen- 

 tury astrologer. He says: 



' ' In the year 1828, a stranger of noble mien, advanced 

 in life, but possessing the most bland manners, arrived 

 at the abode of a celebrated astrologer in London," 

 asking that the learned man foretell his future. "The 

 astrologer complied with the request of the mysterious 

 visitor, drew forth his tables, consulted his ephemeris, 

 and cast the horoscope or celestial map for the hour 

 and the moment of the inquiry, according to the es- 

 tablished rules of his art. 



" The elements of his calculation were adverse, and a 

 feeling of gloom cast a shade of serious thought, if not 

 dejection, over his countenance. 



"'You are of high rank,' said the astrologer, as he 



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