Part 12
_The Ring_ signifies marriage; if a letter is near it, it denotes to the person that has his fortune told the initial of the name of the party to be married. If the ring is in the clear, it portends happy and lucrative friendship. Surrounded with clouds, denotes that the party is to use precaution in the friendship he is about to contract, lest he should be insidiously deceived; but it is most inauspicious if the ring appears at the bottom of the cup, as it forebodes an entire separation from the beloved object.
_The Leaf of Clover_ is a lucky sign. Its different position in the cup alone makes the difference; on the top, it shows that the good fortune is not far distant; but it is subject to delay if it is in the middle or at the bottom. Should clouds surround it, it shows that much disagreeableness will attend the good fortune; in the clear, it prognosticates serene and undisturbed happiness.
_The Anchor_, the emblem of hope and commerce, implies successful business carried on by water or land, if on the bottom of the cup; at the top and in the clear part, it shows constant love and unshaken fidelity. In the thick and cloudy parts it also denotes love, but tinctured with inconstancy.
_The Serpent_, always the emblem of falsehood and enmity, is likewise the general sign of an enemy. On the top, or in the middle of the cup, it promises to the consulting party the triumph which he desires over his enemy; but he will not obtain it so easily if the serpent be in the thick and cloudy part. By the letter which appears near the emblem, the enemy may be easily guessed, as it makes the initial of his name.
_The Letter._--By letters we communicate to our friends either pleasant or unpleasant news, and such is the case here; if this emblem is in the clear part, it denotes the speedy arrival of a considerable remittance of money, but hemmed in by clouds it is quite the contrary, and forebodes some melancholy or bad tidings, a loss or some other sinister accident. If it be in the clear, and accompanied by a heart, lovers may expect a letter, which secures the party the possession of the beloved object; but in the thick, it denotes a refusal.
_The Coffin_, the emblem of death, prognosticates the same thing here, or at least a long and tedious illness; if it be in the thick, at the top of the cup, it signifies considerable estate left to the party by some rich relation; in the same manner at the bottom, it shows that the deceased is not so nearly related to the consulting party.
_The Star_ denotes happiness if in the clear, and at the top of the cup; clouded, or in the thick, it signifies long life, though exposed to various troubles. If dots are about it, it foretells great fortune, wealth, high respectability, &c. Several stars denote so many good and happy children, but surrounded with dashes shows that the person’s children will cause him or her grief and vexation in old age, and should be prevented by giving them a good education in time.
_The Dog_, being at all times the emblem of fidelity or envy, has a two-fold meaning here. At the top, in the clear, it signifies true and faithful friends, but if his image be surrounded with clouds and dashes, it shows that those whom you take for your friends are not to be depended on; but if the dog be at the bottom of the cup, you have to dread the effects of extreme envy or jealousy.
_The Lily._--If this emblem be at the top or in the middle of the cup, it signifies that the consulting party either has or will have a virtuous spouse; if at the bottom, it denotes quite the reverse. In the clear, the lily further betokens along and happy life; if clouded or in the thick, it portends trouble and vexation, especially on the part of one’s relations.
_The Cross_, be it one or more, generally predicts adversities. Its position varies, and so do the circumstances. If it be at the top, and in the clear, it shows that the misfortunes of the party will soon be at an end, or that he will easily get over them; but if it appears in the middle, at the bottom, in the thick, the party must expect many severe trials; if it appears with dots, either in the clear or the thick, it promises a speedy change in one’s sorrow.
_The Clouds._--If they be more light than dark, expect good results from wishing; but if black, you must give it up. Surrounded with dots, they imply success in trade and all undertakings; but, the brighter they are, the greater will be the happiness.
_The Sun._--An emblem of the greatest luck and happiness if in the clear; but in the thick it bodes much sadness; surrounded by dots or dashes, denotes that an altercation will speedily take place.
_The Moon_, if it appears in the clear, denotes high honors; in the dark or thick part, it implies sadness, which will, however, pass without great prejudice. But if it be at the bottom of the cup, the consulting party will be fortunate, both on land and water.
_Mountains._--If it represents only one mountain, it indicates the favor of people of high rank; but several of them, especially in the thick, are signs of powerful enemies; in the clear, they signify the contrary, or friends in high life who are endeavoring to promote the welfare of the consulting party.
_Trees._--One tree only, be it in the clear or thick part, points out lasting good health; several trees denote that your wish will be accomplished. If they are encompassed with dashes, it is a token that your fortune is in its blossom, and will require some time to bring it to maturity. If accompanied by dots, it is a sign that you will make your fortune in the country where you reside.
_Child._--In the clear part, it bespeaks innocent intercourse between the consultor and another person; in the thick part, excess in love affairs, attended with great expenses; at the bottom of the cup, it denotes the consequences of amorous excesses.
_The Pedestrian_ denotes, in general, to a merchant, good business, pleasant news and the recovery of lost things. It also signifies that the consulting party will soon enlist, or get some new engagement.
_The Rider_ denotes good news from abroad in money matters, a good situation in a foreign country, or good prospects. He that doubts his fortune is promised a lasting one by this emblem.
_Woman_ signifies much joy in general. If in the clear, this emblem has a more favorable signification than in the thick; there it shows very great happiness; here, a great deal of jealousy. If dots surround the image, it explains the lady’s great wealth. The different positions in the cup show, at the top and in the middle, that you will be in love with a virgin; but at the bottom, it denotes she is a widow.
_The Mouse._--As this animal lives by stealth, it is also an emblem here of theft and robbery; if it be in the clear, it shows you will get again what you lost, in a wonderful manner; but if it appears in the thick, you may renounce this hope.
HOW TO READ YOUR FORTUNE BY THE WHITE OF AN EGG.
Break a new-laid egg, and, carefully separating the yolk from the white, drop the latter into a large tumbler half full of water; place this, uncovered, in some dry place and let it remain untouched for four-and-twenty hours, by which time the white of the egg will have formed itself into various figures--rounds, squares, ovals, animals, trees, crosses, &c.--which are to be interpreted in the same manner as those formed by the coffee-grounds. Of course, the more whites there are in the glass, the more figures there will be. This is a very pretty experiment, and much practised by the young Scotch maidens, who, however, believe it to have more efficacy when tried on either Midsummer Eve or Hallowe’en (31st October).
HOW TO WRITE LOVE-LETTERS SECRETLY, SO THAT THEY MAY NOT BE DISCOVERED.
Take a sheet of white paper and double it in the middle, and cut holes through both the half sheets; let the holes be cut like a pane of glass, or other forms that you may fancy; then with a pin prick two little holes at each end and cut your paper in two halves; give one half to your friend to whom you intend to write, lay your cut paper upon a half sheet of writing paper, and stick two pins in these holes so that it cannot stir; then, through these holes that you cut, write your mind to your friend. When you have done, take off your paper holes again, and then write some other idle words, both before and after your lines, but if they were written to make some little sense, it would carry the less suspicion; then seal it up and send it. When your friend has received it, he must lay his paper on the same, putting pins into the pin-holes, and then he can read nothing but your mind that you write, for all the rest of the lines are covered.
_Another._--Write what you please of a letter on one side of a sheet of letter paper with common ink; then turn your paper and write on the other side with milk that which you would have secret, and let it dry; but this must be written with a clean pen. Now, when you read it, you must hold that side which is written with ink to the fire, and the milky letters will then show bluish on the other side.
THE SILENT LANGUAGE. HOW TO CONVERSE WITH ANY PERSON WITHOUT SPEAKING A WORD.
This art is performed on your hands and fingers, by the twenty-four letters of the alphabet, which, having learned, you must spell the words you intend your friend should know. The letters are very easily learned and as easily remembered. You must understand that most of the letters are upon the left hand and made with the fingers of the right and left hand; the forefinger of your right hand you point to every letter, but sometimes that and the two next fingers make several letters. The vowels are very easy to remember, they being the tops or ends of your five fingers on your left hand, and Y is formed in the palm of your left hand, thus:
The end of the thumb is =A= The end of the fore finger =E= The end of the middle finger =I= The end of the ring finger =O= The end of the little finger =U= The table, or palm of the hand =Y= One finger on the left thumb =B= Two fingers on the left thumb =C= Three fingers on the left thumb =D= Your two fingers laid together =F= Thumb, your fists together =G= Stroke the palm of both hands together =H= Your fore finger upon the left wrist =K= One finger on the back of the left hand =L= Three fingers on the same =M= Two fingers on the same =N= Clench your left hand, or fist =O= Clench your right hand =P= Link your little fingers together =Q= The backs of your hands together =R= The end of your fore finger to the middle joint of the other fore finger =S= Two fingers upon the little finger of the left hand =T= Two fingers across =X= Give two snaps with your fingers =Z=
Practice a few times and you will soon be perfect. Several motions represent the likeness of the letter; as, one finger on the back of the hand is like L, two fingers like N, three like M. The fore finger to the middle joint of the other fore finger is like T; two fingers across is like X; likewise B, C, D, are easily remembered; one finger on the left thumb is B, two fingers C, three fingers D. But you must always remember to give a snap with the fingers between the words, so that your friend may distinguish one word from another. If you are in company, and think some others understand you, that you would not have, it will be necessary to change the vowels to some other part of the hand, and then none but your friend that knows it can understand you. Suppose you would say to a lady in a large company, “Madam, I am your humble servant.” It is done thus:
Lay three fingers on the back of your hand =M= Put your finger to the end of your left thumb =A= Three fingers upon your left thumb =D= Your finger again to the thumb =A= Three fingers again to the back of your hand =M= And give a snap with your fingers as a sign the word is spelt. Then point to the end of your middle finger =I= Then snap your fingers. Then point to the end of your thumb =A= Three fingers on the back of your hand =M= Then snap your fingers. Then point to the palm of your left hand =Y= Then point to the end of your ring finger =O= Then point to the end of your little finger =U= Then link your little fingers together =R= Then snap your fingers. Stroke the palms of your hands together =H= Point to the end of your little finger =U= Put three fingers on the back of your hand =M= One finger on the thumb =B= One finger on the back of your hand =L= Point to the end of your fore finger =E= Then snap your fingers. Put the backs of your hands together =S= Point to the end of your fore finger =E= Link your little fingers together =R= Point to the end of your little finger =V= Point to the end of the thumb =A= Lay two fingers on the back of your hand =N= Point the fore finger to the middle joint of the other fore finger =T= Then snap your fingers.
And thus you may discourse upon any subject; if you practice it often you will soon learn to do it very quick, even faster than you can write.
PREDICTIONS OF THE WEATHER, ATMOSPHERIC CHANGES, &c.
Should the horizon in the north wear a ruddy appearance in the evening, stormy and boisterous weather may be expected.
If the clouds in the south are ruddy in the evening, sunshiny and rainy weather will prevail for some time afterward.
When the face of the moon is partially obscured by a light, thin vapor, rain will shortly follow.
When the rays from the sun at midday are more than ordinarily dazzling, rainy weather will shortly succeed.
In summertime, when the swallows fly near to the ground, rainy weather will assuredly soon follow.
The shrill crowing of a cock during rainy weather, is a sign that drought will speedily prevail.
When the smoke from the chimney falls down toward the ground, instead of rising upward, it is a sign that rainy weather will soon follow.
If on a foggy morning in summer the fog rises upward, it will be a fine day; if the fog falls to the ground, it will be wet.
When, in summertime, you see the cattle grazing in a field gathering together in groups, be assured that a thunderstorm is approaching.
When you see the fowls in a farmyard flocking together under some covert, be assured that ungenial weather is about to succeed.
When the crows, in flying over your head, make an extraordinary and discordant cawing, rain will come on shortly.
When you see your dog or cat more than ordinarily restless, frisking about the house in all directions, be assured that some boisterous weather will shortly follow.
In rainy weather, when you hear the chirping of the sparrows on the housetop more shrill than usual, it is a sign that clear and dry weather will quickly succeed.
When you see a vapory fluid resting upon a stagnant pool in the fore part of the day, you may conclude that rainy weather will shortly come on. Should the vapor ascend and clear away, a continued drought may be anticipated.
In summer, when the atmosphere is dense and heavy, and there is scarcely a breath of air, be assured that a thunderstorm is coming on.
When the firmament is lighted up with meteoric phenomena, such as falling stars, globes of fire, &c., changeable and boisterous weather may be expected to prevail.
When the rising sun appears like a solid mass of fervent heated metal, and no rays appear to emanate therefrom, fine and dry weather may be confidently anticipated.
When the sun sets in a halo of ruddy brightness, genial and bright weather may be fully relied on for the coming day.
When the moon appears of a ruddy hue, stormy and boisterous weather may be expected to follow.
When the stars appear of a sparkling brightness, fine and genial weather may be expected to prevail for some time. Should the stars appear obscure and dim, changeable and rainy weather may be anticipated.
The luminous appearance of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, in the firmament, foretells the approach of stormy and boisterous weather.
When the setting sun, in the autumn or winter seasons, appears ruddy, it is a sign that high and boisterous winds may be expected to blow from the north and northwest. When the sun at its rising, in the autumn or winter seasons, appears ruddy, it foretells that high and boisterous winds may be anticipated to blow from the south and southeast.
When seabirds are observed flocking toward the shore, storms and tempests may be confidently expected.
When in the early autumn season the migratory birds are seen flocking together and taking their departure, it is a certain sign that rough and boisterous weather is approaching and that a severe winter may be anticipated.
When the doves around a dovecote make a more than ordinary cooing, and frequently pass in and out of their cote, it is a sign that a change of weather is near.
When the robin approaches your habitation, it is a sign that wintry weather will shortly prevail.
When there is a thick vapory mist resting on the tops of high hills in the morning and remains there during the day, it is a sign that wet and ungenial weather may be anticipated. Should the mist eventually rise upward and be evaporated by the sun’s rays, a return to fine dry weather may be looked for; if, however, the mist falls down into the valley, a continuation of wet weather will prevail.
If, in taking a walk, you should see a single magpie, it is a bad omen, especially if it should fly past you to the left hand; but, if it should pass you to the right hand, the good will counterbalance the bad. Should you see two magpies together, expect to hear of something to your advantage--a proposal of marriage, if single; or a legacy of money bequeathed to you. Should the magpies fly past you together, to your right hand, your own marriage, or the marriage of some one nearly related to you, will occur in a short time. The seeing of several magpies together is considered a very fortunate omen.
May is considered an unlucky month to marry in, therefore avoid doing so if possible. If you can catch a snail by the horns on the first of May and throw it over your shoulder, you will be lucky throughout the year. If you place one on a slate on that day, it will describe by its turnings the initials of your future partner’s name.
If a young man or young woman, on going up a flight of stairs, should stumble in the middle of the flight, it is a sign that his or her marriage will take place in a short time; if the stumbling should be near the top of the stairs, then his or her marriage will be immediately consummated.
If a marriage procession, on proceeding to church or chapel, should happen to meet a funeral procession, it is considered an unlucky omen to the expectant bride; if, on returning after the solemnization of the rite, a funeral procession should pass the bridal party, it is an unfavorable sign to the bridegroom.
If a young person, when seated at the tea-table, should observe one or more stalks of the tea plant in the newly poured out cup, and if, on stirring the tea and holding the spoon in the middle of the liquid, the stalk or stalks should come close to the spoon handle, it is a token that he or she will be soon married.
When the house dog is unusually restless, and howls dismally in the night time, it is a sign that sickness and death are about to visit the family to whom the dog belongs.
When the wick of your candle shows a bright spark in the midst of the flame, it is a sign that a long absent friend is about to visit you.
When the ribs of your fire grate are more than usual covered with flakes of soot, it is a sign that a stranger is about to visit your habitation.
DIVINATION BY THE BIRDS OF THE AIR AND THE BEASTS OF THE FIELD.
It hath been duly observed, by the learned in all ages of the world, that our all-wise and beneficent Creator originally implanted in the frame of nature a means whereby mankind may attain to the knowledge of such future contingencies as concern their welfare and happiness; and, more especially, since we observe, even in the brute creation, that even the most inconsiderable creatures upon the earth are more or less endowed with a gift of foreknowledge. Thus the industrious bee, and laborious ant, lay in their summer store, in order to supply the necessary wants of an inclement winter, which they foreknow is yet to come; yet, even of all the whole race of reptiles, the ant, the spider, and the bee, appear to be endowed with the greatest share of sagacity. The wisdom of the ants is conspicuous in forming themselves into a kind of republic and therein observing, as it were, their own peculiar laws and policies; but the cunning of the spider seems to exceed that of most other insects; its various artifices to ensnare its prey is no less remarkable than its contrivance of a cell or retreat behind its web, where it feasts upon its game in safety and conceals the fragments of those carcasses it has devoured, without exposing to public view the least remains of its barbarity, which might tend to distinguish its place of abode, or create the least jealousy in any sect, that their enemy was near. Into what history can we look to find people who are governed by laws equal to what we observe in the republic of bees? What experience can we desire beyond what we observe in the cunning spider, to teach us to guard against the artifices of those who lay snares to catch the thoughtless and unwary? or what can exceed the indefatigable ant, in teaching us lessons of frugality and industry?