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As for the few following predictions I now offer the world； I forbore to
publish them till I had perused the several almanacks for the year we are
now enter'd on。 I find them in all the usual strain； and I beg the reader will
compare their manner with mine： And here I make bold to tell the world；
that I lay the whole credit of my art upon the truth of these predictions；
and I will be content； that Partridge； and the rest of his clan； may hoot me
for a cheat and impostor； if I fail in any singular particular of moment。 I
believe； any man who reads this paper； will look upon me to be at least a
person of as much honesty and understanding； as a common maker of
almanacks。 I do not lurk in the dark； I am not wholly unknown in the
world； I have set my name at length； to be a mark of infamy to mankind； if
they shall find I deceive them。
In one thing I must desire to be forgiven； that I talk more sparingly of
home…affairs： As it will be imprudence to discover secrets of state； so it
would be dangerous to my person； but in smaller matters； and that are not
of publick consequence； I shall be very free； and the truth of my
conjectures will as much appear from those as the other。 As for the most
signal events abroad in France； Flanders； Italy and Spain； I shall make no
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scruple to predict them in plain terms： Some of them are of importance；
and I hope I shall seldom mistake the day they will happen； therefore； I
think good to inform the reader； that I all along make use of the Old Style
observed in England； which I desire he will compare with that of the
news…papers； at the time they relate the actions I mention。
I must add one word more： I know it hath been the opinion of several
of the learned； who think well enough of the true art of astrology； That the
stars do only incline； and not force the actions or wills of men： And
therefore； however I may proceed by right rules； yet I cannot in prudence
so confidently assure the events will follow exactly as I predict them。
I hope I have maturely considered this objection； which in some cases
is of no little weight。 For example： A man may； by the influence of an
over…ruling planet； be disposed or inclined to lust； rage； or avarice； and yet
by the force of reason overcome that bad influence； and this was the case
of Socrates： But as the great events of the world usually depend upon
numbers of men； it cannot be expected they should all unite 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
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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。
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June。 This month will be distinguish'd at home； by the utter dispersing