linus Anglicus,' a kind
of astrological almanac, published annually for many years, containing
many prophecies--a work which got extensive circulation, 'the Anglicus
of 1658 being translated into the language spoken in Hamburg, printed
and cried about the streets as it is in London;' and his 'Majesty of
Sweden,' of whom 'honorable mention' was made in Anglicus, sent to the
author of it 'a gold chain and a medal worth about fifty pounds.'

Of these books made by Lilly, we, having little knowledge, indeed none
at all of the most of them, do not propose to speak; but one who has
looked into the 'Introduction to Astrology' can say that it has
something of method and completeness, and he can readily conceive how
Lilly, studying astrology through long years very diligently, then
practising it, instructing other men in it, writing books about it,
could have himself some kind of belief in it; such belief at least as
many men have in the business they study, practise, and get fame and
pudding by. Consider, too, how his belief in his art must have been
strengthened and confirmed by the belief of other men in it; able men of
former times, and respectable men of his own time. Indeed we will say of
astrology generally that it is a much better thing than the spiritualism
of this present day, with its idle rappings and silly mediums.

We have named some of Lilly's friends--those only of whom we happened to
have some knowledge; but he had many friends, or many acquaintances--a
large circle of them. There were 'astrologers' feasts' in those days,
held monthly or oftener. Ashmole (called, by a more than ordinary
impulse of spirit, Elias) makes record in his Diary: 'Aug. 1, 1650, the
astrologers' feast at Painter's Hall, where I dined;' 'Oct. 31, the
astrologers' feast;' and other entries there are to the same effect.
Some ten years after, Lilly seems to have had these festivals, or
similar ones, in his own house; and on the 24th October, 1660, one
Pepys, well known to literary men, 'passed the evening at Lilly's house,
where he had a club of his friends.'[4]

Thus far, namely, to the year 1666, Lilly brought the history of his
life: and in the continuation of it by another hand, we learn that in
the country at Horsham, near London, 'he betook himself to the study of
physic;' and in 1670, his old and influential friend, Mr. Ashmole, got
for him from the archbishop of Canterbury a license for the practice of
it. 'Hereupon he began to pra