It is hard, my dear countrymen of these united nations, it is
very hard that a Briton born, a Protestant astrologer, a man of
revolution principles, an assertor of the liberty and property of
the people, should cry out, in vain, for justice against a
Frenchman, a Papist, an illiterate pretender to science; that
would blast my reputation, most inhumanly bury me alive, and
defraud my native country of those services, that, in my double
capacity, I daily offer to the publick.

What great provocations I have receiv'd, let the impartial reader
judge, and how unwillingly, even in my own defence, I now enter
the lists against falsehood, ignorance and envy: But I am
exasperated, at length, to drag out this cacus from the den of
obscurity where he lurks, detect him by the light of those stars
he has so impudently traduced, and shew there's not a monster in
the skies so pernicious and malevolent to mankind, as an ignorant
pretender to physick and astrology. I shall not directly fall on
the many gross errors, nor expose the notorious absurdities of
this prostituted libeller, till I have let the learned world
fairly into the controversy depending, and then leave the
unprejudiced to judge of the merits and justice of the cause.

It was towards the conclusion of the year 1707, when an impudent
pamphlet crept into the world, intituled, 'Predictions, etc.' by
Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq; -- Amongst the many arrogant assertions
laid down by that lying spirit of divination, he was pleas'd to
pitch on the Cardinal de Noailles and myself, among many other
eminent and illustrious persons, that were to die within the
compass of the ensuing year; and peremptorily fixes the month,