The Bickerstaff-Partridge Papers | Page 5

to
cross their inclinations, from pursuing a general design, wherein they
unanimously agree. Besides the influence of the stars reaches to many
actions and events which are not any way in the power of reason; as
sickness, death, and what we commonly call accidents, with many
more, needless to repeat.
But now it is time to proceed to my predictions, which I have begun to
calculate from the time that the Sun enters into Aries. And this I take to
be properly the beginning of the natural year. I pursue them to the time
that he enters Libra, or somewhat more, which is the busy period of the

year. The remainder I have not yet adjusted, upon account of several
impediments needless here to mention: Besides, I must remind the
reader again, that this is but a specimen of what I design in succeeding
years to treat more at large, if I may have liberty and encouragement.
My first prediction is but a trifle, yet I will mention it, to show how
ignorant those sottish pretenders to astrology are in their own concerns:
It relates to Partridge the almanack-maker; I have consulted the stars of
his nativity by my own rules, and find he will infallibly die upon the
29th of March next, about eleven at night, of a raging fever; therefore I
advise him to consider of it, and settle his affairs in time.
The month of April will be observable for the death of many great
persons. On the 4th will die the Cardinal de Noailles, Archbishop of
Paris: On the 11th the young Prince of Asturias, son to the Duke of
Anjou: On the 14th a great peer of this realm will die at his
country-house: On the 19th an old layman of great fame for learning:
and on the 23rd an eminent goldsmith in Lombard-Street. I could
mention others, both at home and abroad, if I did not consider it is of
very little use or instruction to the reader, or to the world.
As to publick affairs: On the 7th of this month there will be an
insurrection in Dauphine, occasion'd by the oppressions of the people,
which will not be quieted in some months.
On the 15th will be a violent storm on the south-east coast of France,
which will destroy many of their ships, and some in the very harbour.
The 19th will be famous for the revolt of a whole province or kingdom,
excepting one city, by which the affairs of a certain prince in the
alliance will take a better face.
May, against common conjectures, will be no very busy month in
Europe, but very signal for the death of the Dauphin, which will happen
on the 7th, after a short fit of sickness, and grievous torments with the
strangury. He dies less lamented by the court than the kingdom.
On the 9th a Mareschal of France will break his leg by a fall from his
horse. I have not been able to discover whether he will then die or not.
On the 11th will begin a most important siege, which the eyes of all
Europe will be upon: I cannot be more particular: for in relating affairs
that so nearly concern the Confederates, and consequently this
Kingdom, I am forced to confine myself, for several reasons very
obvious to the reader.

On the 15th news will arrive of a very surprizing event, than which
nothing could be more unexpected.
On the 19th three noble ladies of this Kingdom will, against all
expectation, prove with child, to the great joy of their husbands.
On the 23rd a famous buffoon of the play-house will die a ridiculous
death, suitable to his vocation.
June. This month will be distinguish'd at home, by the utter dispersing
of those ridiculous deluded enthusiasts, commonly call'd the Prophets;
occasion'd chiefly by seeing the time come that many of their
prophecies should be fulfill'd, and then finding themselves deceiv'd by
contrary events. It is indeed to be admir'd how any deceiver can be so
weak, to foretel things near at hand, when a very few months must of
necessity discover the impostor to all the world; in this point less
prudent than common almanack-makers, who are so wise to wonder in
generals, and talk dubiously, and leave to the reader the business of
interpreting.
On the 1st of this month a French general will be killed by a random
shot of a cannon-ball.
On the 6th a fire will break out in the suburbs of Paris, which will
destroy above a thousand houses; and seems to be the foreboding of
what will happen, to the surprize of all Europe, about the end of the
following month.
On the 10th a great battle will be fought, which will begin at four