The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-19
ICopYright. 1851

A wave OF psychic thought has swept
over the entire universe; the very air
Is laden with magnetism. electricity.
hypnotic suggestion. and one falls TO
wondering whether we are on the verge
of a sublime truth or a dispiriting fal-
lacy.
The first half OF the nineteenth CEN
tury was intensely materialistic. but
during the fast waning years of the dy-
ing cycle the world is being dominated
by mysticism. Even the minds OF the
sternest realsts have become tinged
with the new but ever old beliefs. call
them superstition or what you VIII.
The grasping capitalist, the close listed
merchant, the carping scientist the cool
headed philosopher and the empty pated
woman of fashion all agree that there
is a mysterious something in the air
that they feel. but fail to comprehend.
Astrology, fallen into disuse for sew
eral centuries. is now almost recognized
as a divine truth: theosophy comes TO
us from the mountains and jungles of
India, and America claims the distinc-
ton OF being the birthplace of modern
spiritualism.
No infant is born In the orient but
an astrologer is consulted as TO the
stellar conditions under which ii came
into the world. Nowadays no child of
influential parents sees the light but
straightway some enterprsing news
paper man repairs to an astrologer and
has the baby's horoscope cast. No cele-
prated parsonage who commits a crime
or is overwhelmed by dire misfortune
escapes this crucial test, and all of his
pvl dongs are traced to the influence
81 some baleful star. The world con-
dones his wrongdoing by declaring that
he was pursued by malevolent fate
and was pushed to his doom by unseen
agencies.
Many men, even those OF hard COM
mon sense. never undertake anything
or Importance without consulting an
astrologer. This is especially the case
with Wall street spectators, sporting
men and actors.
An astrologer who has a great vogue
Is consulted daily by well known im-
porter, who never makes a new con-
tract or signs law papers without find
ing out whether the planets are in for
tunate conjunction. Should the config-
urations be unfavorable. the man waits
until a change has taken place This
person declares that when he follows
the advice of his astrologer he never
makes I1lstdhe anu tndt WHeH uOes
otherwise he is unlucky.
II is "A well known fact that there is n
woman calling herself a psychometrist
who haunts the New York city Consoli-
dated Stock Exchange. She gives tips
to the brokers. who either pay her a
certain percentage of their earnings or
offer her a fee for her services This
self constituted sbyl is not however.
invariably successful, and high words
frequently pass between her and her
credulous clients.
: distinguished artist in New York
declares that his only successful pic
lures are those painted under inspira-
tional teachings and vows that he new
er has any luck If he goes contrary to
tho reading of his adviser prominent
astroioger. He only begins a great
painting when certain planets are am
icably disposed in his horoscope or
when the moon is on the increase in his
natal sign.
1 asked a famous star reader whether
he could give points about speculation
and whether Wall street operators ever
consulted him. He was honest enough
10 say that If he could predict for a GER
tainty the rise and fall in stocks he
would be millionaire instead Of poor
astrologer.
II know Of course" he said. that
certain conjunctions or oppositions of
the planets imply disaster, while others
are propitious; however. the money
kings OF the street make such extraor-
dnary combinations that they outwit
even the stars, and we cannot always
foretell their moves"
Jay Gould put implicit faith in the
rulings OF the stars and was supersti-
20 "a 10 att tapa art taH
any big deal without first finding out
whether the planets were favorably dis
posed toward him. The king OF finance
occasionally visited a certain astrologer
in whom he placed implicit confidence
but more often he made his calculations
himself. He was entirely capable of
casting horoscope, as he owned a
large collection OF astrological books.
which he kept hidden away in an OBJ
scure corner of his library. Daniel
Huntington. Jim Keene and, In fact
most men who are given to speculation
are believers in lucky days and num-
bers.
1T seems that certain stars Indicate
the time for certain deals i'm stocks
Thus. when Venus is i'm fortunate con-
junction with the natal star. IL is safe
10 take a fler in sugar, or IL Jupiter
speculation. and so on.
About 40 years ago the Fox sisters
discovered. or invented. sprtualism
Tho Rochester rappings became world
renowned and brought the Fox girls
before tho public. one Of the sisters
died two or three years ago. after hav-
inE denounced spiritualism as a fraud
and exposed IL. She afterward recanted
and declared that she was driven 60 do
60 by the spur of necessity. a certain
sum having been offered her IL she
would confess TO the deception. This
woman Was morally degraded and
physical wreck Although this was an
accepted fact. she was supported by a
number or prominent spiritualists. who
Gid a. ia recognition q her valuable dis.
covefy. She claimed 10 be the widow
81 Kane Of arctic exploration fame.