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 practise more openly and with good success; and every Saturday rode to Kingston, where the poorer sort flocked to him from several parts, and received much benefit by his advice and prescriptions, which he gave them freely and without money.  From those that were more able he now and then received a shilling, and sometimes a half crown, if they offered it to him; otherwise he received nothing; and in truth his charity toward poor people was very great, no less than the care and pains he took in considering and weighing their particular cases, and applying proper remedies to their infirmities, which gained him extraordinary credit and estimation.’  So William Lilly lived at Horsham, publishing his ‘astronomical judgments’ yearly, and helping as he could the poor there and in the neighborhood, till the 9th day of June, 1681, when he died.  The ‘great agony’ of his diseases, which were complicated, he bore ‘without complaint.’  ’Immediately before his breath went from him, he sneezed three times;’ which, we will hope, cleared his head of some nonsense.