The first of these Eclipses (moon) is Celebrated in 6 degrees of Virgo, the second Sign of the earthy Triplicity, which (authors say) portends the Scarcity of Fruit and Corn.

The second of these Eclipses, viz: That of the Sun on the 28th of February happens in 20 degree of Pisces, the House of Jupiter, and Exaltation of Venus: learned Authors affirm, when Jupiter bears Rule, and is Lord of an Eclipse (as in this he is) he signifies Glory, Fertility, Tranquillity, Peace and Plenty; and such as are signified by Jupiter, especially Ecclesiastical Persons do flourish and live in great Estimation. The Laws are well Executed, and many Upright and Just Judges are very Active for the Publick Good; new Customs or Privileges, new Corporations, new Honours, &c., are now most happily conferr'd upon People in general; And these are the Natural Portends of Jupiter when he bears Rule in an Eclipse.

Kind READER:

In my last Years Almanack I gave you a brief hint of the motions & Diameter of the Planets & their distance from the Sun: but above or beyond all these Planetary Globes is the Firmament or the Region of the Fixed Stars, which are of such Immense Distance from the Sun & this Earth on which we live, that a Learned Astronomer writes, That if a musquet had been shot up at the Mosaick Creation to the nearest fixed Star, and continued its swiftest course all the way, it would hardly have arrived there by this time, after the long interval of above Five Thousand Years." These Immensly numerous great & amazing Systems of Globes or Worlds so much surpass this Globe of Earth (on which we live) that it degenerates into but little more than a point, when it is compared with the Regions above, and prodigious magnitude of the heavenly Space & the Bodies therein contained.

Which innumerable number of heavenly Bodies or Globes are without doubt, Worlds, or places of Habitation & Consequently stock'd with proper Inhabitants: for all the Multitude of Systems and Habitable Worlds are created of GOD; by Him

the Worlds are made, it is said, in Heb. 1, 2. The Omnipotent Being is able to govern & provide for Ten Thousand Worlds, as well as One: for, the Unlimited extent of GOD's Presence fills the unfathomable Abyss of Infinite Extramundane Space; but the consideration of such Immensly great & glorious Globes are enough to weary the thoughts, and amaze the Faculties of inconsiderable Worms that creep upon this little spot of Earth. To wade no further into this Immense Abyss, I shall conclude with the following Lines of Sir Richard Blackmore:

"Hail King Supream! of Pow'r, Immense Abyss!
Father of Lights! Exhaustless Source of Bliss!

Thou Uncreated, Self-Existent Cause,

Controul'd by no Superiour Being's Laws;
Since thou didst all the Spacious Worlds display,
Homage to thee let all Obedient pay,

Let glitt'ring Stars, that Dance their Destin'd Ring
Sublime in Sky with Vocal Planets Sing,

Confed'rate Praise to thee, O great Creator King.
Let the thin Districts of the waving Air
(Conveyancers of Sound) Thy Skill declare,
Let Winds the Breathing Creatures of the Skies,
Call in each vig'rous Gale that Roving flies
By Land or Sea then one loud Triumph Raise
And all their Blasts imploy in Songs of Praise."

Notes on 1728.-The verses on title page and those at the head of each monthly page give evidence of a studious mind, and the announcement of the succession of His Majesty George II breathes forth an undoubted spirit of loyalty to the reigning family, and a desire for the welfare of the crown.

The entire matter in the Almanack bespeaks the ardent lover of nature, and the enthusiast in the study of the stars. The humor of later years begins to manifest itself in a modest sort of way, interspersed with a mild satire.

That the Doctor held very favorable views of Astrologic art, is evident from his comment on the eclipses, and his quotations of what "Authors say" concerning their dire effects on earthly affairs in certain conditions, and their very happy forebodings in others.

And should the Authors enthusiasm be doubted concerning his Stellar studies, and his appreciations of the immensity of the universe, etc., as well, one need only read his address to the "Kind Reader" and then

endeavor to deny the reflection of the late John Phoenix that "there are not adjectives (and perhaps not adverbs) enough in the English language to enable a person to speak the truth." The Doctor is to be congratulated that he had Sir Richard Blackmore to fall back upon, when his own language failed him to do the subject justice.

THE ALMANACK FOR 1729

BY NATHANIEL AMES, Jun.

Student in Physick and Astronomy.

BOSTON: Printed by B. Green, and Sold at the Booksellers Shops.

Man was at first a perfect upright Creature
The lively image of his great Creator.
When Adam fell, all men in him transgressed
And since that time they err that are the best.
The printer errs; I err, much like the rest
Welcome's that man for to complain of me,
Whose self and works are quite from error free.

NOTE.-Here for the first time in the Doctor's publication appears the "Anatomy”—and the Doctor evidently is an unwilling illustrator of his book, mildly protesting in the accompanying verse. This household god has been religiously bowed down to and worshipped by both the ancient and modern rustic. It is supposed to have been originated under the title of homo signorum by Petrus de Dacia, a firm believer in planetary influence, and almanack maker, who lived about the year 1300. This frightful caricature surrounded by the signs of the Zodiac, has always occupied a prominent position in the Almanack—mainly to gratify those who had faith (which certainly is much required) in the influences portended thereby.

17 2 9.

The Anatomy of Man's Body, and what part thereof is Reprefented by the 12 Signs of the Zodiack.

The Blackmoor may as eas'ly change his Skin,
As Men forfake the ways they'r brought up in;
Therefore I've fet the Old Anatomy,

Hoping to pleafe my Country men thereby,
But where's the Man that's born & lives among,
Can please a Fickle throng?

The Vulgar Notes of this Year, I 7 2 9.

Golden Number

Cycle of the Sun

}} {

25 Epa

252 Dominical Letter.

E.

Note, The Planet Q Venus is Occidental or Evening.
Star to the Third day of June, and from thence,
Oriental or Morning Star to the Years End.

Dr. Watts, of poetic fame, was moved to sing of
"The Ram, the Bull, the heav'nly Twins,
And next the Crab, the Lion shines,

The Virgin and the Scales;

The Scorpion, Archer, and Sea-Goat,
The Man that holds the Water-Pot,

And Fish with glitt'ring Tails."

Almanack makers have largely been skeptical concerning the powers attributed to the influence believed in by the common people.

THE ANATOMIE.

"Should I but dare t' omit the Anatomie,

Which long enough hath gul'd my country friend,

He with contempt would straight refuse to buy
This book, and 't is no Almanack contend.

Ask him its use, he'le say he cannot tell;

No more can I yet since he loves 't so well,

I'le let it stand, because my Book should sell.

-Edward Pond, 1633.

Samuel Clough, the author of "The New England Almanack," for a number of years cast ridicule upon this idol of the people.

"The Anotomy must still be in

Else the Almanack's not worth a pin;
For Country-men regard the Sign
As though 'Twere Oracle Divine
But do not mind that altogether,

Have some respect to Wind and Weather.
Man's Head and Face Heaven's Ram obey,
His Neck, the Neck-strong Bull doth sway;
Th' Arm twining Twins guide Hands & Arms,
Breast Sides and Stomack, Cancer charms
The Lion rules our Back and Heart,

Bowels and Belly's Virgo's part.

To Libra Reins and Loins belong :

The Secrets to the Scorpion.

The Archer doth the Thighs affect

And Capricorn the Knees protect
T' Aquarius lot the Legs do fall,

The Feet to Pisces;-And there's all."-1703.

The Anotomy's set here again,

To show what part the Sign is in;

For if it hath not here its seat,

The Almanack is not compleat.-1704.