In proof of these remarks I will adduce a few of his conjectures, and compare them with public events. Conjecture" Italy and Spain look to it." (p. 48 for 1808.) Remark 11 - Had Moore used these words, "Portugal and Spain look to it," it would have been a more lucky caution; nevertheless it is remarkable that Spain was then the ally of France; and very near the time when Moore's Almanack was published, the Prince Regent and Royal family of Portugal emigrated to the Brazils, leaving their country subject to the French arms. At such a time, and under such circumstances, political observations would not have justived an inference that Spain W S about receiving the Scourge of war. And few would have hazarded an opinion, that the French arms were about to receive a check, when Buonaparte was at peace with Austria, in alliance with Russia, and bad most of the other European powers subject to him. Yet at that tine, and in the same page where the above warning was given, Moore wrote the following affirmation, or Conjecture—“The time is at hand, when the towering pride and airy madness of a neighbouring nation will have a check, and be brought to better reason, and there are but few of my countrymen but what will be glad of it!" Let us further attend to the following Conjectures for the same year, (1808). She hopes to lift her head above the rest. When Englishmen brave Englishmen command, [withstand? They terror strike; what force can them No foe so proud, but they can soon subdue; No task too hard for Englishmen to do.” (June.) "There are some good aspects of the Planets of late or near this time, that denote some wise and deliberate councils; and if the preliminaries of peace are not yet agreed upon, there now are great hopes thereof, as there is some sort of negociations carryi g on tending to that effect, either for ourselves or on the Continent of Europe; in order to settle peace and tranquillity for the public good." (July.) "While we descend at pleasure to invade The bad with vengeance, or the good to aid," &c. (Aug.) Again, "Affairs seem now to take a better turn." Remark Let it be remembered that the above extracts were published in November 1807; and therefore most probably were written in September, if not before; and the following events are recorded in the Chronology of Moore improved for 1811. "Peace between England and Spain, June 6, 1808." "The French fleet in Cadiz harbour surrendered to the Patriots, June 14.” "General Lefevre defeated at Saragossa, July 1, 2.” "General Dupont and his whole army forced to surrender to the Patriots under Castanos, July 19.” “ General Lefevre again defeated with immense loss by the Arragonese under Palafox, Aug.” "Ten thousand Spaniards revolt from the French in the North, and are restored to their country.” "The French force in Portugal defeated by Sir A. Wellesley, K. B. at Roleia, Aug. 17 and 20." Thus the towering pride and airy madness of (the French) a neighbouring nation received a check;" and Spain, "a Foreign nation," did at that time" hope to lift her head above the rest." And when Sir Arthur Wellesley" descended to invade the bad with vengeance, or the good to aid,” he proved, and most satisfactorily, tą his countrymen, not only in the month of August, but in his subsequent engagements; and his eminent coadjutors Marshal Beresford and General Graham also proved, that "when Englishmen brave Englishmen command, they terror strike." Conjecture-"The schemes and designs of a Northern Prince miscarry." (p. 15 for 1808). "The schemes and designs of a Northern Prince now miscarry." (p.9 for 1809). to use -- Remark The words once more imply that the strength of armies had been before tried; which was the case in May, when the Archduke Charles, Buonaparte's expression, "covered himself with glory," and caused his Enemy to make a pause of six weeks before he again took the field; which interval, no doubt, was actively employed by both in " preparing troops from all parts to try their strength once more;" and we all know that the battle of Wagram, on July 5, 6, 7, ended with "blood and ruin" to the Austrians!!! Conjecture "The French government is still very active with their sword, and also in their councils; so also is the British government, to the no small mortification of the French Emperor." (P. 46 for 1809.) Remark - The activity of the French with their sword was seen in the last-mentioned engagements: and that of the English, in the exertions "Naval employments Conjecture Northern Parts of the World.” numberless near the Sound, in the (p. 17, for 1809, Aug.) Remark-In the month of August the naval employments were not a few in the expedition to Flushing, which is nearer the Sound than either Spain or Portugal. Conjecture"Ambassadors or agents are at work to procure new alliances by marriages, as well as other political methods." (p. 46 for 1809.) Remark - The Murriage of Buonaparte with his wife Josephine was dissolved, by mutual consent, Dec. 15, 1809. Buonaparte was married by proxy to the Archduchess Maria Louisa of Austria, at Vienna, March 11th, 1810. Conjecture" Some very considerable matters will now be warmly decided. The public affairs appear with a heavy and sour disposition; and the minds and actions of most persons are tinctured with malice and revenge, which will occasion very high disputes." (p. 9, 1810, April.) "Much strife and debates, with perverse and mischievous proceedings, amongst........ Senators about Rights, Privileges, &c." (p. 44 for 1819.) also. In that year, 1809, in which Moore conjectured, that there would be" some lucid appearances in the air," his Alinanack contained some curious remarks about SIGNS. Thus in May he writes, "I stand amaz'd; alas! my tim'rous quill [its skill) Is stopped by grief (and loth to shew To see what aspects in this month are rang'd. [mighty change! What can they mean? Sure 'tis some When God intends great punishments to send, [lives to mend." He warns mankind by SIGNS their This intimation of Signs is again repeated in the following year, 1810, thus, 66 In the same year, 1809, that Moore conjectured some lucid appearances in the air," he thought also that some miracles would be wrought; for at the top of December he writes, "A Year of Wonders we have passed o'er, Yet still a Sea of Troubles are at door: The Heavens frown; I see a clouded air, I see the Stars for some great Work prepare." And again, in the same Almanack (P. 47) he conjectured, that" many eminent and extraordinary events and alterations will shortly come to pass, and shew themselves upon the stage of Europe." This conjecture he again repeated in April of the following year in these words: "Such matters are now approaching, and will be brought to light, as the most knowing and intelligent persons but little dreamed of." What Moore means by SIGNS and eminent and extraordinary events Time has yet to disclose, unless the appearance of the Comet must be considered as The Sign. Respecting COMETS, he thus writes. "When fiery Comets o'er these Nations rise, [skies; And splendid lightning gilds the upper When round their vortex they in fury roll, [soul, They fright with dire alarm each guilty As Omens certain of a labouring state, Of bloody Battles and a hostile fate; They shake with dreadful awe the ponderous Mass, [order was." And desolation make where once blest Whatever be the Signs to which he has alluded, whether they have already been manifested, or are still in reserve, the eminent and extraordinary events that have so much engaged his attention, he has positively affirmed, will in 1812 take place. Whoever takes up Moore's Almanack with faith in Astrology must make some secret interpretation and application of his Conjectures. This, I know, some in time past have done; and I also know, that they have failed both in the interpretation and application. I of course shall be liable to the same errors in my attempt of having MOORE PUT TO THE TEST. 1." Spain, it is to be feared, will have her glory buried in oblivion, as well as that of Portugal." (May.) (Nov.) 2. "A Gownman suffers." Interpretation. This must mean either a Lawyer or a Clergyman; but if I mistake not, in time past, he has termed the former a Gentleman of the Long Robe. I will therefore say some Clergyman will suffer in his reputation, and be deposed or suspended from the ministry. This interpretation I adopt, because a little before he conjectures that 3. "Law Suits and RELIGIOUS CON TROVERSIES" will be " too much in vogue !” (Nov.) And likewise that And he affirms, in the following month, that "many are the fears and jealousies of most people," which we may naturally suppose will arise, if unconstitutional and traiterous proceedings should come to light, which Moore has pointed at in 1811 and 1812 thus: 8. "People have now their eyes opened; they see and know who are theirs and the kingdom's enemies." (March 1811.) ་་ Popery now appears with so deformed an aspect, that it will never be able to force itself any more upon these Protestant nations." (April 1811.) "Some anxious spirit would disturb the state, By factious fury make it unfortunate; But stay awhile, the Viper shews his head, [misled. And how by's ill-hatch'd brood, he was But Justice will not let the knaves THE DISCOVERY AND PUNISHMENT PLOTS, is again repeated in his Almanack for this year 1812, thus: "The paths of greatness do but slip pery prove, Full oft, to those that do ambition love. ...... (July.) Turn up the mask, and so behold the And on their heads tenfold pay usury. (Dec.) “ A Design of considerable importance soon discovers itself to the world, to the disappointment of its contrivers.” (Aug.) These extracts are sufficient to put Moore to the test: which I have thought it worth my while to do for the following reasons. If "Vox Cœlorum" bè, as Moore affirms, “Vox Dei," we ought to attend thereto. In objection to Astrology it may with justice be stated, that many important events have been conjectured by "God said, let there be lights in the firmament of the Heaven, to divide the day from the night; and let them be for SIGNS, and for Seasons, and for days and years." Again in Jeremiah, x. 2. "Be not dismayed at the Signs of Hea ven; for the Heathen are dismayed at them." They say, that in this last passage the Prophet does not deny the existence or constitution of such Signs; but exhorts the good and pious not to be afraid of them, and to raise their minds above these natural or secondary causes, and look up to that God for help and assistance who is the first cause, who is the Ruler, and was the Creator of those divine oracles or warnings." Astra inclinant, sed non necessitant." Item, "Asira regunt homines, sed regit astra DEUS." An additional sanction to their doctrine is adduced from the Gospel of St. Luke, ch. xxi. wherein Jesus Christ is said to have declared that “Great Signs shall be from heaven," (v. 11.) at a time when "nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." (v. 10.) And again, "there shall be Signs in the Sun, and in the Moon, aud in the Stars; and upon the earth distress of nations with pering." (v. 25.) Our Saviour told his plexity; the sea and the waves roarfollowers, that "when these (SIGNS) come to pass," they must then look up, and lift up" their heads; for their" redemption draweth nigh.” He also enjoined them to watch and pray always, that they may be accounted worthy to escape all those things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." reason, which has induced me to put Another, and perhaps the principal Moore Moore to the test, is that explanation which he has given, whether in whole or in part I will not pretend to say, of the eminent extraordinary and great events to which he has, for these last three or four years, successively alluded: which explanation is to be found in the Hieroglyphic for 1811; where he writes thus: "I wish to remind my readers of what I believe to be a great truth, that God will in due time reform and purge his Church. It is also my opinion, drawn from political and other observations, that we are near the dawning of some unportant change, or at least of something very important, which the sacred band of Providence at present withholds from us; for there will be a time of great alterations in all nations, as is mentioned in the 12th chap. of the Prophet Daniel." Moore's Hieroglyphic for 1811 put me in mind of the letter of your Correspondent " Scriptor," which appeared in your Numbers for April and May 1808, containing some curious remarks on the Signs in the Sun and Moon. Notwithstanding Scriptor's interpretation thereof was novel and extraordinary, yet there have been other writers, who have thought, that, previous to Christ's second advent, there will appear one or more divine messengers to prepare the way for the establishment of the glorious kingdom of their blessed Master and Redeemer: as may be seen in the following extracts from an old edition of Fox's Book of Martyrs, p. 744, (b) 746 (a. and b.) From the Prophecies of Methodius, "When great tribulation shall increase and multiply in the days of Antichrist, and all lordship and dominion shall be destroyed, the Lord shall send his two faithful and dear servants ENOCH and HELY to reprove and detect the false, seducing, and lying forgeries of this Antichrist, openly before all men; so that the people, seeing themselves falsely beguiled and seduced by this son of perdition, coming out of the temple dissemblingly to the destruction of many, shall leave and flee from him, and join themselves to the said two holy prophets; which son of perdition, and Antichrist, seeing his proceedings so to be reproved and brought into contempt, in his fury and anger shall kill the two prophets of God; and then shall appear the Sign of the coming of the Son of Man; and he shall come in the clouds of heavenly glory, and shall destroy the enemy with the spirit of his mouth.” Again, "From the book of Prophecies of Erythrea Sybilla, found in St. George's Church at Venyce. "And toward the latter days two bright stars shall arise raising up men lying dead in their sins, being like to the first star having the face of the four beasts, which shall resist the beast and the waters of the dragon, testifying or preach ing the name and the law of the Lamb, the destruction of abomination, and judgement, and shall diminish his waters, but they shall be weakened in the bread of affliction, and they shall rise again in stronger force. After the abomination then shall truth be revealed, and THE LAMB SHALL BE KNOWN, to whom renecks, and all earthly men shall agree gions and countries shall submit their together in one, to come into one fold, and to be ruled under one discipline: and after that shall be but a small time !" Dr. Milner, B. C. V. A. in his "Pastoral Instructions, addressed to the Catholics of the Midland Counties of England, on the state and danger of their Religion *," encourages the of one or more of God's Prophets in expectation of the speedy appearance the following words: (p. 8 and 9.) "We are now in the sixth age, the age of increased warfare and desolation, the age of the extinction of the Roman Empire (the present Emperor's title being now and apostacy, of Elias and Henoc's apconfined to Austria), the age of infidelity pearance, of the Conversion of the Jews, of Antichrist's coming and persecution. In the seventh age, the mystery of God shall be finished in the second coming of Jesus Christ." Again, "We see that the Jews, after having lain under the curse of God and man for eighteen centuries, are now rising to notice and favour, and collecting themselves together, in order, as we may well suppose, to acknowledge, in the first place, a false Messiah +, and then, upon the preaching of their still surviving prophet ELIAS, the true one ‡.” We here see and read the opinion and instruction of A Roman Catholic, *This pamphlet was published at Wol verhampton in Staffordshire in the beginning of 1811. + John v. 43. Malach. iv. 5, 6. and |