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vintners; for a bottle I have sold the twelve signs in the Zodiac; and if I had not a profound respect for the persons of my venerable order and profession, I should call Mercury the ascendant in the fourth house, at this minute, to lug half a score pieces of yours. By my exceeding deep knowledge in astrology, I can perfectly acquaint all manner of persons with every occurrence of their lives, and were it not to frighten yourself, I would conclude, from the appearance and conjunction of Saturn and Vulcan, that your worship would be hanged for your profession. But, Sir, though destiny hangs this unfortunate death over your head, it Is at some distance from it, and may be some years before it strikes you. Is it not surprising that a man shall be able to read the fates of mankind, and not have any pre-knowledge of his own? and is it not extremely afflicting to think, that one who has done so much good in his generation, and assisted so many thousands to the recovery of things that would have been inevitably lost, without his advice, should come at last to the ignominious halter, as a fit recompence for his services? Good heavens! where is the equity of all this? Certainly, Sir, if we are to measurse the justice of things by the laws of reason, we must naturally conclude, that laudable and good actions deserve laudable and good recompence; but can hanging be said to be this good recompence? No; but the stars will have it so, and how can mankind say to the contrary?"

Cunningham paused here a while, and the astrologer and old nurse wondered whom they had got in company with. Mr. Peterson could not help staring at the physiognomy of our adventurer, and, in spite of himself, began to be in a panic at his words. The nurse was in expectation of seeing Sawney come in every minute, little dreaming the person she was so near was the man she wanted.

"Well, venerable Sir," said he, "do not be terrified at my words, for what cannot be avoided must be submitted to. To put you out of your pain, I'll tell you a story. A gentleman had a son, who was his darling, and consequently trained up in all the virtuous ways that either money could purchase, or good examples teach. The youth, it seems, took to a laudable course of life, and gave promising signs of making a fine man; nor, indeed, were their expectations deceived; for he led a very exemplary life of prudence, excellent conduct, and good manners, which pleased the parents so much, that they thought every thing they could do for him too little. But the mother, out of an inexpressible fondness for him, must needs go to an astrologer, and enquire how the remaining part of his life must succeed. Accordingly the horoscope is drawn, but a dismal appearance results from it; it acquaints the mother that her son shall remain virtuous for two-and-thirty years, and then be hanged. "Monstrous and