A CURIOUS ANSWER.

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spendthrift son, come to calculate the value of a reversion.

They were seated in such a manner as to be admitted to the astrologer in the order in which they came. From ten to fifteen minutes elapsed between each admission, when the astrologer's page, the perfect embodiment of a fairy, descended, and, bowing to the party whose turn it was, led him to the Sanctum of Fate.

After waiting about two hours, Leonard was summoned. He followed the page.

The unexpected vision bursting on his eyes somewhat disconcerted him for an instant; but the astrologer smiled blandly, pointing to a chair. Recovering from the shock, he gazed around, and on the astrologer; not bewildered, but curious to inquire. The astrologer began:

"Young man, what seek you to know?"

"First," replied the youth, "I wish to know by what means you undertake to predict the future. Is it by the Art Magic?"

"No, young man. If I did, I should be amenable to the laws of the land and of God. My art is that of Samuel, who foretold to the shepherd his exaltation to the throne of Israel. D'Altremond Tul is no magician. To the sincere seeker, the secrets of the Most High will be revealed. He has written them on the everlasting stars that sang together at the opening of the womb."

"Would it be possible for any one, for me, to

learn your art?" asked Leonard. The astrologer replied, with solemnity:

"All cannot receive, save those to whom it is given. All might learn, but all may not learn. A spirit was given to him who was admitted into the school of the prophets. The preparation of deep meditation in the divine science of the rule and compass-prayer and fasting-must precede the

gift.

Innocens manibus et mundus corde-innocence of hands and cleanness of heart must go before, must attend, and accompany to the end for ever. To all it is not given to read the stars, which are the everlasting prophets of Heaven-their voice shall never fail. What seek you to know?"

"My destiny," was the reply.

The astrologer closed his eyes, and opened his lips; but how describe his tone! He entoned:

"When the book of Reason was opened, Infancy read words, and nothing more; Childhood drank in many abuses; Manhood sighed over superfluous regrets; but Old Age tore the pages to pieces. To know the evil is half the cure. The gulf that threatens may be avoided; but the strong desire of youth, who shall keep it from a fall? My inner eyes shall see, and my lips shall tell, and forewarn; but the human will-your will, young man-must lead you therefrom. The Most High is above all. Fate. is subject to Him. Therefore, the destiny which the stars in concert singing at your birth foretold, is still in posse, dependent still on the will of the Most High; and He will reason with your will.

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Happy, happy, happy, if you seek His aid. "The prophet foretold the fall of Nineveh; but it

came not to pass.

Did he prophesy falsely? No;

he spoke in posse. speak in esse. The everchanging aspects and directions of the heavens may evolve a merciful exodus from the direst nativity.

It is for the Most High alone to

"It may be but for a moment; and that moment may be now."

The astrologer paused, and glanced on his belt, as in prayer. Leonard was impressed by his vehement address. The astrologer resumed :

"Name the place, year, month, day, and hour of your birth."

Leonard was unable to reply as to hour. The astrologer exclaimed :

"It matters not.

Abyssus abyssum invocat ! Events point to events. Mention some important event in your life-death of father, death of mother, protracted illness, dire calamity."

Leonard mentioned that his mother had died in childbed.

The astrologer went through his calculations with great rapidity; and, in a few minutes, whilst drawing the scheme, he exclaimed:

"Good. In the Second House the native will be fortunate. Alas! the first note of man and the last are notes of anguish. He was born to weep. 'I was born in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.' 'Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in

the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season: his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly

are not so; but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away."

Thus he continued muttering, as it were, mechanically, but with emphasis at times. He was casting the

NATIVITY.

"Hear, and be wise.

"The good that is in store for thee may escape, if thou seek it not; the evil threatened may be avoided, if foreseen, thou provide against it.

"Luna in trine, with Mercury in the ascendant, indicates good speed and success in all employments— propensity to travel-skill in human arts, which God demands in his holy cause.

"The Greater Fortune, majestic Jove, was rising at thy birth. Thou shalt overcome every evil direction, which would otherwise prove fatal. Thou art healthy, cheerful, jovial. Thy delight hath been in divine philosophy, though the frown of the Greater Infortune, gloomy Saturn, saddened thee for a term, till Venus, mother of mortals, made thee pleasing to the fair.

"There is one that loves thee.

"But thy Creator loves thee more.

"By woman came death. Who loves her must beware.

"God hath made thy heart for Himself. Thou art destined for the greatest.

"Mars is malefic; there is anger.

"But the hyleg* is not afflicted. "Thou shalt prosper."

Here the astrologer seemed to become violently agitated. His form seemed to dilate; and, fixing his eyes on vacancy, as if they were glass, he exclaimed :

"Stand fast, fortunate youth; for mighty shall be thy deeds-mighty shall be thy triumph.

"Thou art called to govern thy fellow-men. On thy lips sweet persuasion shall dwell, to guide their guideless steps; and in thy breast shall be the gushing fountain of prayer, which shall be thy strength, thy hope, and that of many. "To God, to God, to God thou dost belong. Who shall claim thee beside ? Who has protected thee with the wings of angels in thy wild transgressions, when fierce temptation hurled thee into its burning furnace? Who speaks to thy heart Now the word of warning, the word of hope, the word of invitation, thy glorious destiny?

"Give thanks; yea, be thankful.

"Stand fast,

"Stand fast to the thought now in thy soul awakened.

"Go forth, and prosper."

*Or, "Giver of Life"-Astrological term.