eminent and remarkable Comet that ever appeared to the World, is that which appeared to us Anno 1680, whose return is expected Anno 2255. It is supposed by the most learned Astronomers that this very Comet in its Aphelion past through so much Cold & Darkness, that its Atmosphere derived a vast Trail of Vapours, and meeting with this Earth at the beginning of Noah's Flood was the Cause of the same. And with good Reason it is supposed that this Comet being heat so Hot in its Pherihelion, that in its Ascent from the Sun meeting with this Earth 'twill cause the great Conflagration. Dr. C. Mather (speaks of Sir Is. Newton's computation of the Heat of this Comet 1680, thus "Its Heat in its Pherihelion was near 2,000 times greater than that of red hot Iron. A Globe of red hot iron of the Dimensions of our Earth (by his computation) would scarce be cool in 50,000 Years. If then this Comet cooled a 100 times as fast as red hot Iron, yet since his heat was 2,000 times greater than that of this Earth he will not be cool in a Million of Years." The Nodes of this Comet being so nigh the Annual Orb of this Earth that it may approach even to the Earth itself. What Horror & Consternation will this wicked World then be in, when they shall behold this vast Comet like a baneful torch, blaze & roll along the unmeasurable Aether, bending its course directly to this Earth with a Commission from Heaven to burn it up!

Notes on 1733.-In his title-page verses, Dr. Ames ventures to predict the advent of one of the scourges of Egypt, viz.: the Locust, and perhaps the "seventeen year" variety, of which occasionally we hear in these days.

He opens the monthly verses with a savage onslaught upon the capital stock of ancient Grecian mythology, then easily subsides into the muse's arms, while she gently hums in his ears the time-honored, threadbare subject of the Creation, commencing with the elaboration of order out of chaos, and winding up with the usual menu of Soup and Fish, Flesh and Vegetables. The September verses being especially devoted to Carlsbad, Blue Lick, Hunyadi and other medicinal moisture; then follows October with the fireworks exhibition, and the grand finale is reached when the standing candidate, Man, is introduced, to anticipate the fall of Satan in the combat with St. Michael, by executing a saltatory movement from Paradise, ribs and all, much to the personal discomfort of the writer and many of his associates in this Vale of Tears.

The interspersed humor in the weather column is not very plenty in this year's almanack; a little jingle concerning hay in January, a new reading concerning slander (in March) is neatly put, and a very pessimistic view of the tender passion is inserted under July this year. This latter is the more remarkable, from the fact that the Doctor was evidently about this time preparing himself for the fatal plunge into matrimony with Miss Mary Fisher, and whom he married shortly after.

The Essay at the close of this year's almanack possesses much interest, as the author foretells the future destruction of our Solar System. He gives cogent reasons why the Sun should eventually cease to warm us, the order of all things cease, and "universal nature degenerate into Chaos;" or, perhaps, this terrestrial ball collide with the erratic Comet, and be toasted into nothingness at once. The comet of 1680 which will again meet us a few years hence,-in 2255-is the same agent who did Noah's business for him, and closed up all commercial enterprises by the flood; and which will, (according to the Doctor and his quoted authorities) cause the final conflagration in the year mentioned. The Underwriters will hardly be expected to continue risks after 2254.

The quotation from Sir Isaac Newton made by Dr. Cotton Mather will be found pleasant winter reading in this connection.

I should say with Dr. Ames in the conclusion to his essay, that the final round-up would be a very busy season, and quite interesting to a local reporter who might be sufficiently collected to appreciate it.

THE ALMANACK FOR 1734.

BY NATHANIEL AMES, Jun.

Student in Physick and Astronomy.

BOSTON: Printed for the Booksellers and Sold at their Shops, 1734.

I use no Charms, nor filthy Conjuration
But sublime Geometric Demonstration;
But Art its 'self's a Mystery to Fools.
That are devoid of great Mechanic Rules
Numbers can reach the bounds of Matter quite,
And comprehend all Things but Infinite.

Of the ECLIPSE Sthis Year 17 34.
T Here will be but two Eclipfes this Year, and both

of the Sun.

I. The First will be on the 22d Day of April, about Sun-Rife, but the Moon's Parallax will render it almoft over before that Time.

H. The Second will be on the 15th of October, about half an Hour paft one of the Clock in the Afternoon, Scarce visible to us.

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

The Vulgar Notes of this Year.

Golden Number 6 25 Épa&

Cycle of the Sun.

S
-732 Dominical Letter

·介

The Planet Venus is Occidental or Evening Star
till the 23d of March, thence Oriental er Mor-
ning Star to the End of the Year.

NOTE. This is the last appearance of the "Anatomy" in Ames's Almanack. Some improvement may be noted in the features both of the household god, and early wood engraving in New England.

JANUARY.

On Eden's flowery bank a clod of Earth
Neglected lay till God's Almighty Breath
Gave Light and Beauty to the passive Mould,
Whose Reason pee'd while yet the mass was Cold
And nervous juyce gave vigour to his Joynts,
To Act and Do whate'er his Will appoints.

FEBRUARY.

ADAM arise! a heavenly Vision said;

Go dress yon Charming Garden which I've made
For thy most happy and delightful Seat.

Of every Tree thereof most freely eat,
Except the Tree amidst the rest which brings
The knowledge of all good and Evil Things
(That is Good lost and Evil got thereby)
Eat not of that least ye most surely Die.

MARCH.

The Deity withdrew from human Sight

And scarce the Sun had once refresh'd with Light

All Quarters of the new made Rolling Ball,

But Man (deceiv'd) receiv'd his fatal Fall.

And vilely Eat the sacred Fruit forbidden

But nothing from GOD's flaming Eye is hidden.

APRIL.

In Evenings cool when humid Vapours Rise
And Sols fair Light forsook the Western Skies
GOD's awful Voice was in the Garden heard
With shame abash'd the guilty Rebel fear'd
The dreadful Voice and hid among the Trees
Wounded with Guilt, a virulent Disease.

MAY.

No Balm he had to heal (a) mortal wound
No shelter for his guilty Conscience found,
All things conspir'd to make his ruin sure.
Oh! how could he the Face of GOD endure!
Whose Voice the Air with Comminations broke,
A Curse pronounced, and Thundered as he spoke.

JUNE.

All nature groan'd, the Sun his Lustre shrowds
In thick'ning Storms, in Tempests, and in Clouds.

Th' affrightened Zodiack the Aequator crost
Sad Signs of Wo appear'd that all was lost
Old CHAOS who was dead, curst Sin revives
Silenc'd CONFUSION now with Fury strives
DEATH, smelling Food, broke thro' the Gates of Hell,
To Eat the world where he is come to dwell.

JULY.

JUSTICE his Sword of Cherubims was drawn,
No Ransom yet appear'd-nothing to pawn
To save Man's Soul from GOD's revengeful Stroke
Till mov'd by Love Immense the Father spoke.
(And speaking he made known what lay concealed
From Endless Ages not till now reveal'd.)

AUGUST.

O, Son! thou brightness of my Glory see
What Man has got by his Apostisy.
He has my Hatred and is pinioned fast
To horrid Flames that Ever! Ever! Last,
But if his Ransom be Atchiev'd by Thee,
Thereby great Glory shall derive to me.

SEPTEMBER.

Now spake the Son: (and stepping from his Throne)

I seek thy Glory Father as my own.

These Robes of Light, in which I am arrayed

I'll leave with Thee, and go and be betrayed,
And Crucified and Die for Sinner's sake.

Their Flesh and Blood upon Me I will take

Then let thy Wrath and Vengeance light on me
I'll bare the Curse to set the Sinner free.

OCTOBER.

With Pity mov'd (as Parents to a Child)

Thus answered the gracious Father mild,

Thou dwellst with Me in Endless Realms of Light

Immensely great, (and) ineffably Bright,

Thrones and Dominions unto Thee are given,

All Power on Earth and all the Keys of Heaven.

NOVEMBER.

All knees shall bow at thy subjecting nod
And every Tongue confess thee to be GOD.