Genre:

Short Fiction; Poetry

Subjects:

Astronomy, Astrology, Prognostication, Natural Theology

    The narrator describes his encounter with Herr von Schwartzmann, with whom he shares an interest in astronomy, and who confesses his interest in comets and 'implicit belief in the science of astrology' (77). Schwartzmann points out that a bright comet in the sky is his 'natal planet' and how he had resolved that he would 'attach' himself to anybody born under the same star, believing that their 'mutual destinies' were 'indissolubly bound together' (78). Describes how he had fallen in love with a woman, Adeline, who, on seeing the comet, identified it as her natal star. He later describes how he and Adeline had arranged to get married on the day of the appearance of the comet, but how Adeline died shortly after her father's death. He subsequently decided to move to a place where he would not see the comet 'which had caused me so much uneasiness', but now confesses to being indifferent about seeing it. The narrator concludes by noting how, shortly after their meeting, Schwartzmann died in an explosion and cursed the 'malignant star'. Concludes with a poem describing the movement of the comet through the heavens and its outshining of other astronomical objects. The poem sends praises 'to Him who tracks the comet's pathless ways' and who governs all the other features of the heavens. (84)