Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-18

or the Affairs of the Government; end aftcf
that the astrologcrs, through the isvcg VI
James l.. found their best field OK opera
tons in England.
Almanac making in England became Q
monopoly, and so continued until iuv'
Meanwhile, however, the satirisfs hao AZ
tackled the astrologers and done much 70
bring them in disrepute. Those VINO afs
familiar with the writings OF Dsan ~" ~ =,
VIII easily recall his Isaac BickerstaIn
letters, in which he roasted" Partridge
the almanac maker with series OF conn
ter-predictions, showing the folly and scan
dial OF the fellows pretenslons. Among
Swiftsprophesies was one 20 the euect ,ii 4,
Partridge would die on given day, ana ne
was advised Ito consider OF u and setto
his affairs in time," aud wnen tne oay
came letter was written oy Swit pur-
porting to give an account OF fartrluRe
death and representing him as having IN
his last hours bitterly repented his con-
rection with the almanac business, where,
by he had imposed upon the public and
done much mischief by promoting the
idle itch Df peeping into futurities." Inc
effect upon Partridge's trade was very, IN
furious, and astrology received dow
from which il never recovered .
In the early period OF the settlement OF
America all the almanacs were obtained
lTOUu IUEltIl0. anu Sutu nso
that time become more respectable and
useful. The astrological features were still
present. but there were also many interest
ing statistics. recipes. and facts of history
and biography. In 1888 the first distinct
and creditable American almanac appeared
It was the work of Benjamin Franklin, and
called Poor Richards Almanac" and con-
tinyed under Franklin's personal direction
for Twenty-Five years. 10 its other SUD
stantial merits there was added those
choice maxims Of practical wisdom when
still survive to attest the philosophic ex-
cellence Of the mind that invented them.
Since Franklin's day We have had food
of almanacs of every kind, the most con-
spicuous among them being the Wing
Almanac which Horace Greeley started
in 1888, mainly as a vehicle Of political in
formation, and which is still published
under the name Of the Tribune Alma
nac.n
The custom of including weather predic-
tions in almanacs was adopted at least a
hundred wears ago. In the early half OF
the century that was regarded "a the most
valuable portion of such publications. ANY
person over middle-age can recollect what
implicit general reliance used 10 be placed
in those prophecies. The believers in
astrolOgy were never more credulOus than
the latter patrons of the false teachers OF
meteorological signs and changes. In every
house the almanac was hung within ready
teach, and was consulted more frequently
than any other book. Men who were
noted for intelligence and Judgment IN all
other matters were "a little children IN
their Difference TO the arbitrary rulings of
the almanac makers with respect 10 atmos-
pheric conditions. When the predictions
came true, as sometimes happened 10y the
law of chance the faith of the people was
so confirmed and strengthened that not q
hundred failures suiiiced 70 shake 1t. They
might have doubts in politics or religion.
but they chung to tho weather progn0sti-
cations with unconditional confidence.
In point Of fact there was more 10 be
learned about meteorology from the birds
and beasts than from all the aimanacs.
The Oriental monarch who exchanged his
weather-guesser for a jackass. because the
latter foretOld rain by prIcking up bus ears
whom the former had predicted dry day.
was wise in his generation aud had true
courage of conviction. Our brother. the
ass" as the old MONKS used TO call him, IS
undoubtedly born with Al ear for the dis
.ant music of storm which his rider may
not hear IL was wel-understood fact
among the old plainsmen that the bufa-
loos could foretell deep snow, and that
the prairie-dogs could scent aWet spell seye-
raj days ahead. The beaver surely has some
occult means of knowing that treshet Is
coming Possibly It Is not always true that
a hog carving straw or q dog eating grass
betokens falling weather. but the sign
often proves good: and there can be no
doubt that when the spiders spread their
cob-webs in the morning dew fine day
will follow, whatever the skies may lndl-
cate TO the contrary.
The weather-tclling aimanacs have out
lived their popularity. however. In few
remote corners where the scho0lmaster
and the newspaper have not yet penetrated
there is still q lingering fondncSs for SUCH
literature. but the demand Is not sufficient
to keep one old hand-press in motion for a
single day of the year. Our almanacs now
bring US definite knowledge, nice pictures.
and gems of humor and poetry, and the old
fraud strives in vain to survive itself
through the laughable antics of the Signal
Service. In theirpresent form these annual
messengers deserve a hearty welcome IN
all households. They serve gracious aud
rational purpose. The spirit of civiliza-
tion has breathed into them quality Of
sound sense and good morals. They have
been redeemed and disenthralled from the
sin and shame of former times, and their
contents correspond IN effect to that
imaginary congregation of all the days of
the year which Charles Lamb droily de-
scribes. "They come some in green, some
in white" he SAYS, "but old Lent and his
family were not yet out of mourning.
Rainy days came in, dripping; and sun
shiny days helped them 10 change their
stockings. Wedding-day was there in his
marriage finery, little the worse Tor wear:
PAY day came late. As ne always does and
doomsday sent word-ho might DO ex-
pected.n