Astronomical Science

Abstract

IN your number for August 5th, a letter referring to Astrology, signed “C. J. Robinson” ends as follows:— “Astronomical Science is hardly likely for the sake of sentiment to treasure up the discarded swaddling clothes which for so many centuries impeded its onward progress.” Surely such language indicates a sad confusion of ideas on the subject, since it is most unquestionable that the belief of antiquity in Astrology—far from retarding—greatly promoted the study of Astronomy. In fact, the names of Ptolemy and Kepler show that the greatest of ancient and the greatest of modern astrologers were at the same time the greatest Astronomers of their era, and the brilliant discoveries of the latter in both sciences suffice to dispose of the “swaddling clothes” theory without citing the instance of Napier, who, it is well known, invented that most admirable scientific expedient and indispensable handmaid to Astronomy, Logarithms, to shorten and facilitate his astrological calculations.