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REVIEW THE POETRY OF SCIENCE.

planets, are observed, and the state of the atmosphere. Let them examine whether, or not, vast earthquakes and extensive pestilences do really follow on the heels of great eclipses, if at the time there be also conjunctions or oppositions of the superior planets. And if they find that, when the planets are stationary, the flux of light from them, being more permanent on this globe, produces a derangement of the magnetic action universally, let them honestly confess that they have scoffed at the idea of such planetary action without once having thought of examining into the facts to the eternal disgrace of the present race of philosophers.

But to our author. This work of Mr. Hunt's is written in a free and familiar style, and with as much of religious reverence as we might expect to find from a mind too prone, by habit, to refer every thing to natural laws, and, therefore, to doubt as to any thing like spiritual interference in the phenomena of nature. There is, however, an apparent honesty of intention about Mr. Hunt, which, if he were free from the shackles of office, might qualify him to shake off his early prejudices and enter on an examination of astral influences. We do not despair, in fact, some day, of hearing that Mr. Hunt has examined astrology, and, if he do, he must adopt its principles, which alone can satisfy the craving he evinces for a farther acquaintance with causes. The author's introductory observations mention "some great universal principle beyond our knowledge;" which must, therefore, extend to the stars, or how could it be "universal ?" "Our knowledge" signifies the knowledge of Mr. Hunt's colabourers in the dark caves of philosophy; for we can tell him that this "principle" is not beyond the knowledge of the astral philosopher, who by its aid reads in the motions of the stars those wondrous effects which by this principle they produce.

Speaking of motion, gravitation, heat, light, electricity, and chemical force, the author is compelled to cry out as follows:

"These powers are only known to us by their effects; we only detect their action by their operations upon matter; and although we regard the several phenomena which we have discovered as the manifestations of different principles, it is possible they may be but modifications of some one universal power, of which these are but a few of its modes of action."

As regards electricity this is not strictly true, for we can both see and feel the electric fluid when it is excited up to the point of luminous appearance; and we may say as much of light, for there is no reason to believe that light flows from the sun as such; but there is A SUBSTANCE which flows from the sun, and which, when it impinges on a planet, affects the eyes of animals

REVIEW-THE POETRY OF SCIENCE.

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in such a manner as to render them conscious of its existence, and which effect has been termed LIGHT. If this substance, when it flows from the sun, were already in a luminous condition, we should perceive it in its passage through the fields of space. What Mr. Hunt means by one universal power" is what we conceive to be the bond that combines all the bodies of a solar system, and compels them to operate one on another; so that if a straight line can be drawn from the earth to the sun and the planet Saturn, the fluxes of this "universal power," or ethereal fluid, as we prefer to name it, are returned directly back from the two planets to the source of those fluxes in the sun. Thus must they needs produce a different effect on each planet's atmosphere in going and returning from what they would if carried off at an angle of reflection equal to that of incidence. We say that the particles, or molecules, of this fluid, so thrown back on others like themselves, must derange the atmosphere of both planets. And thus we see the reason why the electrical condition of our atmosphere on such occasions is abnormal, and why the magnets shew that the magnetic currents cease to flow in their usual manner. And thus it is that the temperature and pressure of the atmosphere become affected, and that vapours arise, rain abounds, and tempests are let loose upon the earth and ocean.

In speaking, in his 8th chapter, on the effects of the sun's rays, termed actinism, our author says,

"We now know that it is impossible to expose any body, simple or compound, to the sun's rays without its being influenced by this chemical and molecular-disturbing power. To take our examples from inorganic nature, the granite rock, which presents its uplifted head in firmness to the driving storm, the stones which genius has framed into forms of architectural beauty, or the metal which is intended to commemorate the great acts of man, and which, in the human form, proclaim the hero's deeds and the artist's talents, are all alike destructively acted upon during the hours of sunshine; and, but for provisions of Nature no less wonderful, would soon perish under the delicate touch of the most subtile of the agencies of the universe."

If

We ask Mr. Hunt whether these same solar rays, that produce so much powerful influence when they fall direct upon any body whatever, are likely to lose all their power when reflected? rays from the sun fall upon the planet Mars when at its nearest position to the earth, 34,700,000 miles, they must be reflected to this earth in three minutes. Are we to suppose that they lose all their wondrous power, and that they fall upon the same bodies which were before so "destructively acted upon" quite innocuously? A very small portion of a solar ray, passed through a prism, is found to magnetize a needle when placed within its direction; yet millions of rays from the same sun fall upon Mars

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REVIEWGEM OF THE ASTRAL SCIENCES.

every instant of time, and are constantly returned to this earth in a very few minutes; and millions of rays fall upon the moon and come thence to us in one second of time; and is it reasonable to doubt that they do affect this earth? Those from the moon, we know, do act upon the salts of silver; and why should we hesitate to believe that those from each of the planets have their several missions to perform? This, however, constitutes that PLANETARY INFLUENCE SO much dreaded by our philosophers, who have committed themselves to its denial before they investigated the facts. Alas! they are destined to be defeated, for O magna vis veritatis !

We shall return to Mr. Hunt's work.

THE GEM OF THE ASTRAL SCIENCES, or Mathematics of Celestial Philosophy. By THOMAS OXLEY, Esq., C.E. Simpkin and Marshall.

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WE are glad to see a new edition, and a much improved one, of Mr. Oxley's celebrated work on Planispheres. This work will do much for the science of genethliacal astrology, as it will enable many sterling young minds to examine for themselves the doctrines of astral influence, without so much labour as has hitherto been necessary. It may even lead some of the editors of the day to see whether there be not more in our philosophy than their day dreams of cabalistic "* folly have led them to imagine. This work contains every thing required, (and, indeed, perhaps more than the young student can require) for working out a nativity by projection; and we cordially recommend it to the attention of our readers, as a masterly production. We cannot, however, allow Mr. Oxley's doctrine as to the anticipating and retarding of primary directions to pass current, without our most decided condemnation. Our author says, p. 177,

"If he (the student) comes within six months, or even a year in some cases, he ought to be satisfied, seeing that there are many secondary causes which will produce an anticipation or retarding of the primary direction."

The result of a quarter of a century of rigid examination of nativities, during which many thousands have gone through our

* Blackwood's Magazine for December 1848 says, that Lady Hester Stanhope foretold Lamartine's recent elevation and the Revolution in France by "cabalistic" and astronomical processes. Now she made these predictions merely, as Mr. Oxley would, by the mathematics of astral science.

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hands, leads us to deny the correctness of this statement. contend that two months, or three months, is the outside term of the influence of any one primary direction; except only parallels of declination, which are very rare. We suspect that neglect of the effects of transits has led our author into this loose and erroneous system. We do not think the cases Mr. Oxley gives are at all conclusive. And as regards the directions of Mars and Mercury, we are satisfied that they are never found to operate much above one month from the period to which they

measure.

The author gives an ingenious mode of erecting a figure for the southern hemisphere; which consists in computing one for the opposite latitude and longitude of that to the place for which the figure is required, and then reversing the cusps of the houses, and making those above the horizon to be below, &c. But the briefest and speediest mode will always be (until tables of houses be calculated for the southern hemisphere) to make use of a globe. Thus, to find the longitude on the cusps of the six ascending houses in lat. 41° south, and long. 147° east, at 12h 20m P.M., mean time, on the 6th of September, 1844, first find the right asc. of the meridian, as usual, by reference to the sidereal time given in Zadkiel's Ephemeris, and then, the south pole for the 11th house, 1610, being elevated, we add to the R. A. on the midheaven at Launceston (the place situated in the lat. and long. above), which is found to be 350° 47', the sum of 30°, and we bring the amount, 20° 47', to the horizon; which then cuts Y 20°, the longitude, on the 11th house. Next elevate the pole to 30° for the 12th, add 30° to the R. A., and bring the amount, 50° 47', to the horizon; which will then cut 8 13, the long., on the 12th house. Proceed to add 30° to the R. A., making it 80° 47', which, after you have elevated the south pole to 41°, bring to the horizon, and you will have 3° for the ascending point. For the 2d house depress the pole again to 30°, and bring 110° 47' to the horizon, and it will cut 5° for the 2d cusp. Lastly, sink the pole to 1640, and bring 140° 47' to the horizon, and it will cut the longitude of the 3d, viz. , 13°. The whole of which process will take less than five minutes; whereas Mr. Oxley would require calculations by trigonometry occupying about half an hour, or more, and very troublesome to persons not used thereto.

Mr. O. gives the results: 11th, 19° 53'; 12th, 8 13° 42'; the Asc. п 3° 26'; 2d, 5° 49′; and 3d, & 12° 56'; shewing an exact agreement between the globe and his calculations.

One word in parting with Mr. Oxley. He complains, p. 168, that we took his rule for rectifying nativities by applying the

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principles of false position to such calculations. Well; we did insert his rule in the Grammar of Astrology, and thought we were benefitting the science thereby, never dreaming that we could possibly injure any mortal in so doing. Let Mr. Oxley take our rule for equating planets' places, and call it his own, if he will; for assuredly we shall not go to law about it, as he threatens to do; and without which threat we should have waded through a large book, rather abstruse and heavy in some parts, without enjoying, as we have done, one hearty guffaw.

METEOROLOGY.

THE number for November 1848 of Chambers' Edinburgh Journal, states that, "under the persevering and systematic investigations of scientific inquirers, meteorology is gradually yielding up its secrets; its invisible agencies are found to act in obedience to certain laws. From feeling our way, as it were, in the dark, we are beginning to catch glimpses of the true state of things with regard to this most important branch of natural knowledge. The writer then professes to bring together the accumulated results of the observations of these same "scientific inquirers ;" and, lo! the mountain brings forth something more contemptible than even the well known "ridiculous mouse." The results are a few comments on some extracts from Mr. Hunt's recent work on Light, which our readers will see noticed elsewhere in this Magazine. As for "meteorology," the scientific inquirers know nothing of its secrets, nor can they possibly do so until they examine the doctrines of astral influence on the atmosphere. We write this on the 8th December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, while we hear the furious howling of the pitiless storm; but we are quite sure that none of these "scientific inquirers" through England, or even "the land o' cakes," can give us the slightest inkling of the causes of this violent storm. The sun's light is much about what it usually is when he has 223 degrees of south declination; but his "actinism" is considerably less than the average, for the clouds hang low and heavy,

"And, dripping from his dreary watery bed,
Aquarius lifts his cloud-environed head."

But the diminished "actinism" is a consequence of the stormy clouds, and cannot be the cause. Is there no cause for this

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