ions of the
transmutation of metals, found that mercury was a remedy for one of
the most odious and excruciating of all the diseases that afflict
humanity."' As we shall see a little farther on, alchemy finally evolved
into modern chemistry, but not until it had passed through several
important transitional stages.

ASTROLOGY

In a general way modern astronomy may be considered as the outgrowth
of astrology, just as modern chemistry is the result of alchemy. It is
quite possible, however, that astronomy is the older of the two;
but astrology must have developed very shortly after. The primitive
astronomer, having acquired enough knowledge from his observations of
the heavenly bodies to make correct predictions, such as the time of the
coming of the new moon, would be led, naturally, to believe that
certain predictions other than purely astronomical ones could be made
by studying the heavens. Even if the astronomer himself did not believe
this, some of his superstitious admirers would; for to the unscientific
mind predictions of earthly events would surely seem no more miraculous
than correct predictions as to the future movements of the sun, moon,
and stars. When astronomy had reached a stage of development so that
such things as eclipses could be predicted with anything like accuracy,
the occult knowledge of the astronomer would be unquestioned. Turning
this apparently occult knowledge to account in a mercenary way would
then be the inevitable result, although it cannot be doubted that many
of the astrologers, in all ages, were sincere in their beliefs.

Later, as the business of astrology became a profitable one, sincere
astronomers would find it expedient to practise astrology as a means of
gaining a livelihood. Such a philosopher as Kepler freely admitted that
he practised astrology "to keep from starving," although he confessed
no faith in such predictions. "Ye otherwise philosophers," he said, "ye
censure this daughter of astronomy beyond her deserts; know ye not that
she must support her mother by her charms."

Once astrology had become an established practice, any considerable
knowledge of astronomy was unnecessary, for as it was at best but a
system of good guessing as to future events, clever impostors could
thrive equally well without troubling to study astronomy. The celebrated
astrologers, however, were usually astronomers as well, and undoubtedly
based many of their predictions on the position and mo