ls. Pythagoras based his
calculations very much on numbers. He thought considerable importance
should be attached to the number 7.

In France the new-born child was often presented naked to the
astrologer, who read the first lineaments in its forehead, and the
transverse lines in its hands, and from these he wrote down its future
destiny. Catherine de Medicis brought Henry IV., then a child, to old
Nostradamus, to ascertain the youth's destiny. An astrologer having
assured Charles IX. that he would live as many days as he would turn
on his heels in one hour, his Majesty, putting faith in the
prediction, performed the exercise of revolving, as directed, every
morning during the prescribed period of an hour.

The Egyptian astronomers held that the moon influenced all sudden
matters of importance, but others not less learned affirmed that
portentous events were regulated by wandering stars. Seneca speaks of
a custom which prevailed, of appointing official air-gazers to give
notice of an approaching storm, similar to the practice at the present
day, of having persons at meteorological stations throughout the
country to forecast the state of the weather. When they observed a
cloud which indicated a hail-shower, they warned the people in order
that they might protect their crops. The peasants, to propitiate the
planets, offered in sacrifice fat cocks and white lambs; and the poor,
who had neither fowls nor four-footed beasts to offer, cut their
thumbs, in the full expectation that this insignificant libation of a
few drops of human blood would secure the favour of the heavenly
bodies, and avert the threatened calamity.

A child born on the first day of the new moon is likely to live long
and happy, if it survives infancy. The child born on the second day
of the moon shall grow strong, and be noted for wisdom. This day is
fortunate in many respects. If one wishes to inquire into secrets,
let him begin before the clock strikes the midnight hour. The infant
born on the third day will never want an influential friend to lend
him a helping hand in time of need. The fourth day is not quite so
lucky, and the infant who comes into the world will require to be
honest and diligent, to support an honourable position in life. The
child born on the fifth day of the moon will turn out to be fickle
and capricious. It is a good day, however, for beginning any new
undertaking--particularly for laying the foundation of a building.
Promises