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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 of
the clock in the afternoon； and last till nine at night with great obstinacy；
but no very decisive event。 I shall not name the place； for the reasons
aforesaid； but the commanders on each left wing will be killed。 I see
bonfires； and hear the noise of guns for a victory。
On the 14th there will be a false report of the French king's death。
On the 20th Cardinal Portocarero will die of a dysentery； with great
suspicion of poison； but the report of his intention to revolt to King
Charles； will prove false。
July。 The 6th of this month a certain general will； by a glorious action；
recover the reputation he lost by former misfortunes。
On the 12th a great commander will die a prisoner in the hands of his
enemies。
On the 14th a shameful discovery will be made of a French Jesuit；
giving poison to a great foreign general； and when he is put to the torture；
will make wonderful discoveries。
In short this will prove a month of great action； if I might have liberty
to relate the particulars。
At home； the death of an old famous senator will happen on the 15th at
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his country…house； worn with age and diseases。
But that which will make this month memorable to all posterity； is the
death of the French King； Lewis the fourteenth； after a week's sickness at
Marli； which will happen on the 29th； about six o'clock in the evening。 It
seems to be an effect of the gout in his stomach； followed by a flux。 And
in three days after Monsieur Chamillard will follow his master； dying
suddenly of an appoplexy。
In this month likewise an ambassador will die in London； but I cannot
assign the day。
August。 The affairs of France will seem to suffer no change for a while
under the Duke of Burgundy's administration； but the genius that animated
the whole machine being gone； will be the cause of mighty turns and
revolutions in the following year。 The new King makes yet little change
either in the army or the ministry； but the libels against his grandfather；
that fly about his very court； give him uneasiness。
I see an express in mighty haste； with joy and wonder in his looks；
arriving by break of day on the 26th of this month； having travell'd in three
days a prodigious journey by land and sea。 In the evening I hear bells and
guns； and see the blazing of a thousand bonfires。
A young admiral of noble birth； does likewise this month gain
immortal honour by a great achievement。
The affairs of Poland are this month entirely settled： Augustus resigns
his pretensions which he had again taken up for some time： Stanislaus is
peaceably possess'd of the throne； and the King of Sweden declares for the
Emperor。
I cannot omit one particular accident here at home； that near the end of
this month much mischief will be done at Bartholomew Fair； by the fall of
a booth。
September。 This month begins with a very surprizing fit of frosty
weather； which will last near twelve days。
The Pope having long languish'd last month； the swellings in his legs
breaking； and the flesh mortifying； will die on the 11th instant； and in
three weeks time； after a mighty contest； be succeeded by a cardinal of the
imperial faction； but native of Tuscany； who is now about sixty…one years
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old。
The French army acts now wholly on the defensive； strongly fortify'd
in their trenches； and the young French King sends overtures for a treaty
of peace by the Duke of Mantua； which； because it is a matter of state that
concerns us here at home； I shall speak no farther of it。
I shall add but one prediction more； and that in mystical terms； which
shall be included in a verse out of Virgil；
Alter erit jam Tethys； & altera quae vehat Argo。 Delectos heroas。
Upon the 25th day of this month； the fulfilling of this prediction will
be manifest to every body。
This is the farthest I have proceeded in my calculations for the present
year。 I do not pretend； that these are all the great events which will happen
in this period； but that those I have set down will infallibly come to pass。 It
will perhaps still be objected； why I have not spoke more particularly of
affairs at home； or of the success of our armies abroad； which I might； and
could very largely have done； but those in power have wisely discouraged
men from meddling in publick concerns； and I was resolv'd by no means
to give the least offence。 This I will venture to say； That it will be a
glorious campaign for the allies； wherein the English forces； both by sea
and land； will have their full share of honour： That her Majesty Queen
Anne will continue in health and prosperity： And that no ill accident will
arrive to any of the chief ministry。
As to the particular events I have mention'd； the readers may judge by
the fulfilling of 'em； whether I am on the level with common astrologers；
who； with an old paultry cant； and a few pothook for planets； to amuse the
vulgar； have； in my opinion； too long been suffer'd to abuse the world： But
an honest physician ought not to be despis'd； because there are such things
as mountebanks。 I hope I have some s