An examination of treatises rather exhibits a studious avoidance of frankness here, while the intent to deceive the ignorant certainly appears to characterize some works, which yet do not technically commit themselves. It is this fact which justifies one in speaking of an astronomical priestcraft, which has acquired a reputation for scientific infallibility and an authority over the human mind which have no justification in actual achievements. As a matter of fact, excepting mathematical astronomers themselves, even the most learned among men for the most part necessarily rest their belief in the current astronomical theory, together with whatever system of philosophy of life they build up from this foundation, upon a confidence in the infallibility of professional astronomers as blind and helpless as that of the most infatuated religious devotee in the priestcraft which gives him a false religion. (138 pages)