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PERNICIOUS EFFECTS OF

spite of all the care and attention of experienced physicians, was carried off by this slight complaint.

It may not be amiss to subjoin to this melancholy story one of a different character, in honour of the professors of astrology.

Louis XI. of France, conformably with the spirit of his age, kept several astrologers at his court. It was probably in his excessive fear of death that this part of his establishment originated. This fear went so far, that no person durst pronounce the word death in his presence. If, nevertheless, any thing occurred to remind him of it, be would bury himself, out of anxiety and alarm, over head and ears in the bedclothes.

One day, intending to take the diversion of the chase, he asked an astrologer if the weather would continue fine? The astrologer confidently assured him that the day would be fair and serene. The king had not proceeded far towards the forest, when he met a charcoal-burner, driving his ass laden with coal before him. This man was bold enough to tell the king that he would do well to turn back, because in a few hours there would be a storm, accompanied with torrents of rain. The event justified his prediction.

Next day Louis sent for his humble monitor, and inquired where he had learned astrology,

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