and publish advertisements; though I produce certificates under the ministers and churchwardens hands I am alive, and attest the same on oath ́ at quarter sessions, out comes a full and true relation of the death and interment of John Partridge; truth is bore down, attestations neglected, the testimony of sober persons despised, and a man is looked upon by his neighbours as if he had been seven years dead, and is buried alive in the midst of his friends and acquaintance.

Now can any man of common sense think it consistent with the honour of my profession, and not much beneath the dignity of a philosopher, to stand bawling before his own door?-alive! alive! ho! the famous Dr. Partridge! no counterfeit, but all alive as if I had the twelve celestial monsters of the zodiack to show within, or was forced for a livelihood to turn retailer to May and Bartholomew fairs. Therefore, if her Majesty would but graciously be pleased to think a hardship of this nature worthy her royal consideration, and the next parliament, in their great wisdom, cast but an eye toward the deplorable case of their old philomath, that annually bestows his good wishes on them, I am sure there is one Isaac Bickerstaff Esq. would soon be trussed up for his bloody predictions, and putting good subjects in terrour of their lives: and that henceforward to murder a man by way of prophecy, and bury him in a printed letter, either to a lord or commoner, shall as legally entitle him to the present possession of Tyburn, as if he robbed on the highway, or cut your throat in bed.

I shall demonstrate to the judicious, that France

and

and Rome are at the bottom of this horrid conspiracy against me; and that culprit aforesaid is a popish emissary, has paid his visits to St. Germain's, and is now in the measures of Lewis XIV. That, in attempting my reputation, there is a general massacre of learning designed in these realms and through my sides there is a wound given to all the protestant almanackmakers in the universe,

VIVAT REGINA.

A VINDI

A

VINDICATION

OF

ISAAC BICKERSTAFF Esa.

AGAINST

WHAT IS OBJECTED TO HIM BY MR. PARTRIDGE IN HIS ALMANACK FOR THE PRESENT YEAR 1709.

BY THE SAID ISAAC BICKERSTAFF Esq.

WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1709.

MR. PARTRIDGE has been lately pleased to treat me after a very rough manner, in that which is called his Almanack for the present year: such usage is very indecent from one gentleman to another, and does not at all contribute to the discovery of truth, which ought to be the great end in all disputes of the learned. To call a man a fool and villain, an impudent fellow, only for differing from him in a point merely speculative, is, in my humble opinion, a very improper style for a person of his education. I appeal to the learned world, whether, in my last year's predictions, I I gave him the least provocation for such unworthy treatment. Philosophers have differed in all ages; but the discreetest among them have always differed as became philosophers. Scurrility

1

Scurrility and passion, in a controversy among scholars, is just so much of nothing to the purpose, and at best a tacit confession of a weak cause my concern is not so much for my own reputation, as that of the republick of letters, which Mr. Partridge has endeavoured to wound through my sides. If men of publick spirit must be superciliously treated for their ingenious attempts, how will true 'useful knowledge be ever advanced? I wish Mr. Partridge knew thet houghts, which foreign universities have conceived of his ungenerous proceedings with me; but I am too tender of his reputation to publish them to the world. That spirit of envy and pride, which blasts so many rising geniuses in our nation, is yet unknown among professors abroad: the necessity of justifying myself will excuse my vanity, when I tell the reader, that I have near a hundred honorary letters from several parts of Europe (some as far as Muscovy) in praise of my performance. Beside several others, which, as I have been credibly informed, were opened in the postoffice, and never sent me. It is true, the inquisition in Portugal was pleased to burn my predictions*, and condemn the author and the readers of them: but I hope at the same time, it will be considered, in how deplorable a state learning lies at present in that kingdom and with the profoundest veneration for crowned heads, I will presume to add, that it a little concerned his majesty of Portugal to interpose his authority in behalf of a scholar and a

* This is fact, as the author was assured by sir Paul Methuen, then ambassador to that crown.

gentle

gentleman, the subject of a nation, with which he is now in so strict an alliance. But the other kingdoms and states of Europe have treated me with more candour and generosity. If I had leave to print the Latin letters transmitted to me from foreign parts, they would fill a volume, and be a full defence against all that Mr. Partridge, or his accomplices of the Portugal inquisition, will be ever able to object; who, by the way, are the only enemies my predictions have ever met with at home or abroad. But I hope I know better what is due to the honour of a learned correspondence, in so tender a point. Yet some of those illustrious persons will perhaps excuse me, for transcribing a passage or two in my vindication*. The most learned monsieur Leibnitz thus addresses to me his third, letter: illustrissimo Bickerstaffio astrologia instauratori, &c. Monsieur le Clerc, quoting my Predictions in a treatise he published last year, is pleased to say, ita nuperrimè Bickerstaffius magnum illud Anglia sidus. Another great professor writing of me, has these words: Bickerstaffius, nobilis Anglus, astrologorum hujusce sæculi facile princeps. Signior Magliabecchi, the great duke's famous library keeper, spends almost his whole letter in compliments and praises. It is true, the renowned professor of astronomy at Utrecht seemed to differ from me in one article; but it is after the modest manner that becomes a philosopher; as, pace anti viri dixerim and page 55, he seems to lay the errour upon the printer, (as indeed it ought) and says,

* The quotations here inserted are in imitation of Dr. Bentley, in some part of the famous controversy between him and Mr. Boyle.

VOL. V.

E

vel