The Bickerstaff-Partridge Papers | Page 7

and land, will have their full
share of honour: That her Majesty Queen Anne will continue in health
and prosperity: And that no ill accident will arrive to any of the chief
ministry.
As to the particular events I have mention'd, the readers may judge by
the fulfilling of 'em, whether I am on the level with common
astrologers; who, with an old paultry cant, and a few pothook for
planets, to amuse the vulgar, have, in my opinion, too long been
suffer'd to abuse the world: But an honest physician ought not to be
despis'd, because there are such things as mountebanks. I hope I have
some share of reputation, which I would not willingly forfeit for a
frolick or humour: And I believe no gentleman, who reads this paper,
will look upon it to be of the same cast or mould with the common
scribblers that are every day hawk'd about. My fortune has placed me
above the little regard of scribbling for a few pence, which I neither
value or want: Therefore let no wise men too hastily condemn this
essay, intended for a good design, to cultivate and improve an ancient

art, long in disgrace, by having fallen into mean and unskilful hands. A
little time will determine whether I have deceived others or myself: and
I think it is no very unreasonable request, that men would please to
suspend their judgments till then. I was once of the opinion with those
who despise all predictions from the stars, till the year 1686, a man of
quality shew'd me, written in his album, That the most learned
astronomer, Captain H. assured him, he would never believe any thing
of the stars' influence, if there were not a great revolution in England in
the year 1688. Since that time I began to have other thoughts, and after
eighteen years diligent study and application, I think I have no reason
to repent of my pains. I shall detain the reader no longer, than to let him
know, that the account I design to give of next year's events, shall take
in the principal affairs that happen in Europe; and if I be denied the
liberty of offering it to my own country, I shall appeal to the learned
world, by publishing it in Latin, and giving order to have it printed in
Holland. ______________________________________________
The Accomplishment of the First of Mr Bickerstaff's Predictions; being
an account of the death of Mr Partridge, the almanack-maker, upon the
29th instant.
In a letter to a person of honour Written in the year 1708
My Lord,
In obedience to your Lordship's commands, as well as to satisfy my
own curiosity, I have for some days past enquired constantly after
Partridge the almanack-maker, of whom it was foretold in Mr.
Bickerstaff's predictions, publish'd about a month ago, that he should
die on the 29th instant about eleven at night of a raging fever. I had
some sort of knowledge of him when I was employ'd in the Revenue,
because he used every year to present me with his almanack, as he did
other gentlemen, upon the score of some little gratuity we gave him. I
saw him accidentally once or twice about ten days before he died, and
observed he began very much to droop and languish, tho' I hear his
friends did not seem to apprehend him in any danger. About two or
three days ago he grew ill, and was confin'd first to his chamber, and in
a few hours after to his bed, where Dr. Case and Mrs. Kirleus were sent
for to visit, and to prescribe to him. Upon this intelligence I sent thrice
every day one servant or other to enquire after his health; and yesterday,
about four in the afternoon, word was brought me that he was past

hopes: Upon which, I prevailed with myself to go and see him, partly
out of commiseration, and I confess, partly out of curiosity. He knew
me very well, seem'd surpriz'd at my condescension, and made me
compliments upon it as well as he could, in the condition he was. The
people about him said, he had been for some time delirious; but when I
saw him, he had his understanding as well as ever I knew, and spake
strong and hearty, without any seeming uneasiness or constraint. After I
told him how sorry I was to see him in those melancholy circumstances,
and said some other civilities, suitable to the occasion, I desired him to
tell me freely and ingeniously, whether the predictions Mr. Bickerstaff
had publish'd relating to his death, had not too much affected and
worked on his imagination. He confess'd he had often had it in his head,
but never with much apprehension, till about a fortnight