Chapter VI: Part 6

_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?

The badger, the hedgehog and the mole also provide themselves a magazine of plants and herbs, which they foreknow will enable them to lie concealed in their holes during the hard frosts of winter, contented with their prison, which affords them safety. Their holes are constructed with amazing art, and generally have two apertures, that in case one should be beset by an enemy, they may escape by the other. The doublings by the hare, the tricks of the fox to escape the hounds, are also astonishing indications of foresight and sagacity. The feathered race are likewise endowed with a similar faculty and often foretell an approaching storm a considerable time before it appears, by retiring in flocks to their holes and hiding places for shelter and protection. The birds of passage seem to inherit this gift in a remarkable degree, for they assemble together in prodigious flocks at an appointed hour, and take their leave before the approach of winter; which they see will destroy the flies and insects, as they feed on nothing else. And it is no less extraordinary than true, that these birds return as early as the sun brings forth this class of insects into new life, and they have also the sagacity to find out and possess their old nests and habitations. The wise, provident forecast for self-preservation and safety is even extended to the innumerable inhabitants of the immense ocean, where we see the fishes, pressed by unceasing hunger, indiscriminately prey upon one another, the large upon the small, even of its own species; whence the smaller fish in regular gradations, when in danger of being devoured, fly for an asylum to the shallow waters, where they know their enemy either cannot or dare not come to pursue them. And this pursuit of one species of fish after another, is by no means confined to a single region, for we find shoals of them pursuing one another, from the vicinity of the pole even down to the equator, and thus the cod from the banks of the Newfoundland pursues the whiting, which flies before it, even to the southern shores of Spain. It is astonishing also, that herrings, which appear to generate towards the north of Scotland, regularly make their way once a year to the British Channel. Their voyage is conducted with the utmost regularity, and the time of their departure is fixed from the month of June to August. They always assemble together before they set out and no stragglers are ever found from the general body. It is impossible to assign any cause for this emigration, but it doubtless proceeds from the same instinctive impulse with which all orders of animated nature are more or less imbued.

Now observe, that when you go out of your house to do or transact any kind of business, and in the way you do see a man, or a bird going or flying, so that either of them do set themselves before you on your right hand, that is a good signification in reference to your business; but when you shall go out of your house on any business whatsoever, and shall see a bird or a man before you on the left side of you, it is an ill sign in reference to your said business. When either a man or a bird shall thus pass before you, coming from the right side of you and bending towards the left, goeth out of your sight, that is a good sign concerning your business. When you do find a man going, or a bird flying, and then he rests himself before you on your right side, and you seeing it, this is also a good sign of success in your business. But when you see a man or a bird bending from your right side to your left, it is an ill sign concerning your business; when a man or a bird comes behind you, and goes faster than you, but before he cometh at you he rests, or the same before you came at him, he rests, and you seeing him on your right side, it is to you a good sign. But when this happens on the left side, it is an evil sign. When a man or a bird, coming from your left side, and passing to the right, goeth out of your sight without resting, it is a good sign. If a man or bird, coming from your right hand, passing behind your back to the left, and you see him resting anywhere, this is an evil sign. All the auspicia which first happeneth in the beginning of any business, ought not to be taken notice of, as if in the beginning of any work you find that rats have been gnawing your clothes, then insist upon your undertakings. If, on going out of your house, you happen to stumble on the threshold, or if in the way you happen to dash your foot against anything, then forbear your journey; if any ill omen ever happens at the beginning of your business, then put it off for a while, lest you be completely disappointed therein. If a crow, raven or a jackdaw do croak over any person, it doth show much evil of a serious nature. The magpie informs you that you will soon hear news and come into company; but whether such news be good or bad, observe whether it comes from the right hand or the left. The screech owl is always unfortunate, for, about the 17th Oct., 1807, Grantham church was a repository for a number of owls every evening, for about one month, when it followed that, before that time next year, the same church was actually robbed of all its plate and money, to a large amount, by a gang of villains, in the dead of the night, to the great loss and detriment of the whole parish. If you meet sparrows, it is unfortunate, except for love. Flies indicate importunity and impudent affronts; cocks meeting you, or crowing against your house, inform you of visitors coming and success in your journeys and business. If you meet a hare, a mule, or a hog, it is an ill omen; to meet horses in a carriage is good, but if you meet an ass, expect trouble; while to meet sheep and goats is very good and indicates prosperity in your affairs; if you either meet a dog or oxen, you may expect the same success, for it is good; mice indicate that you will soon meet with danger; locusts making a stand in any place, hindereth a person from their wishes and is an ill omen; on the contrary, grasshoppers promote a journey and foretell a good event of things. The spider weaving a line downwards, signifies hope of money to come; as also the ants having a nest near your door is good, because they know how to provide for themselves, and portend security and riches. If you meet with a snake, take care of an ill-tongued enemy; a viper signifies lewd women and wicked children; an eel shows a man that is displeased with everybody. But of all the various auspices and omens, there is none more effectual and potent than man, none that doth signify the truth more clearly. You must, therefore, diligently note and duly observe the condition of that man you meet, or that meeteth you; his age, profession, station, gesture, motion, exercise, complexion, habit, name, words, speech, &c.; for, seeing there are in all other animals so many discoveries or presages, yet those are all more efficacious and clear which are infused into the soul of man.

PHYSIOGNOMY.

_Strength of Body_ is shown by stiff hair, large bones, firm and robust limbs, short muscular neck, firm and erect carriage, head broad and high, forehead short and peaked, bristly hair, large feet, harsh unequal voice and florid complexion.

_Weakness of Body_ is distinguished by a small, ill-proportioned head, narrow shoulders, soft skin and pale complexion.

_Long Life_ is indicated by strong teeth, sanguine temperament, middle size, large, deep and ruddy lines in the hand, large muscles, stooping shoulders, full chest, firm flesh, clear complexion, slow growth, wide ears and large eyelids.

_Short Life_ may be inferred from a thick tongue, the appearance of the molars before the age of puberty, thin uneven teeth, confused lines in the hand, and quick but small growth.

_Intellect_ is denoted by thin skin, middle stature, bright eyes, fair complexion, straight and fine hair, eyebrows joined, affable manner, moderation in mirth, and the temples slightly concave.

_A Dunce_ may be known by a swollen neck, plump arms, sides and loins, a round head, fleshy forehead, pale eyes, dull, heavy look, small joints, snuffling nostrils, proneness to laughter, little hands, ill-proportioned head, either too large or too small, blubber lips, short fingers and thick legs.

_Fortitude_ is promised from a wide mouth, sonorous voice, slow, grave and always equal, upright posture, large, open, steadfast eyes, the hair high above the forehead, the head much compressed or flattened, the forehead square and high, the extremities large and robust, the neck firm though not fleshy, large chest, dark complexion.

_Intrepidity_ often resides in a small body, with ruddy countenance, frowning eyebrows, small mouth, prominent nose and large lines in the hand.

_Boldness_ is characterised by a prominent mouth, rugged appearance, rough forehead, arched eyebrows, large nostrils and teeth, short neck, strong arms, ample chest, square shoulders and stern countenance.

_Timidity_ resides where we find a concave neck, pale color, weak eyes, soft hair, plump breast, shrill voice, small mouth, thin lips, broad, thin hands and small shambling feet.

_Prudence_ is generally distinguished by a head which is flat on the sides, broad, square forehead, slightly concave in the middle, soft voice, broad chest, thin hair, bright eyes, large ears, aquiline nose.

_Irascibility_ may be seen in an erect carriage, clear skin, solemn voice, open nostrils, moist temples with superficial veins, thick neck, quick pace, bloodshot eyes, large unequal teeth.

_Melancholy_ is denoted by a wrinkled face, dejected eyes, slow pace, fixed look and deliberate respiration.

_Amorousness_ shows a fair slender face, hair exuberant on head, face and limbs, moist shining eyes, wide nostrils, prominent lips.

_Gaiety_ shows a rosy agreeable countenance, a musical voice, an agile body and soft flesh.

_Envy_ appears with a wrinkled forehead, frowning, dejected look, pale countenance and dry, rough skin.

_Gentleness_ may be distinguished by a soft and moist palm, frequent shutting of the eyes, soft movement, slow speech, fine hair.

_Bashfulness_ may be discovered by moist half-closed eyes, moderate pace, slow speech, blushing countenance.

_Sobriety_ is accompanied by equal respiration, regular features, easy carriage and sedate manners.

_Mental Strength_ is signified by straight hair, a small body, shining eyes, grave intense voice, stout muscular body, broad back and shoulders.

_Good Memory_ is common in those persons who are small, yet better formed in the upper than the lower parts, delicate skin, inclined to baldness, crooked nose, thick teeth, large ears.

_Bad Memory_ is observable in persons who are larger in their superior than inferior parts, hairy hands and body, coarse skin.

_Good Sight_ is enjoyed by those persons who have black, thick, straight eyelashes, large bushy eyebrows.

_Hearing_ is most acute in those whose ears are well furnished with cartilage, well channelled and hairy.

_Smelling_ is most perfect in those who have large noses, descending very near the mouth, neither too moist nor too dry.

_Tasting_ is dainty in such as have a spongy, soft tongue, well moistened with saliva.

_Delicacy of Touch_ is remarked in those who have sensitive nerves, soft skin, moderately warm and dry.

THE PLEASURES OF DREAMING.

“We always dream; the life of man’s a dream,
In which fresh tumults agitate his breast,
Till the kind hand of death unbolts the bars
Which clog the noble and aspiring soul,
Then, then we truly wake.”--HIGGINS.

--“Shroud thy hated light,
Thou rising sun; nor summon with such speed,
The o’erlabored world to toils of a new day;
Why, flatter’d mortals, will you wake to cares,
When sleep, in kind delusion, may divert
Your pensive mind with pleasing images?
A dream sets free the captive; can restore
Lost fields to soldiers; to wreck’d merchants wealth.
In dreams the exile visits his sweet home.
And o’er the sparkling bowl relates at large
His past distresses to his wondering friends.
The lover, too, the sad forsaken lover.
May dream, and feign the falsest mistress true.”--TATE.

It has been truthfully observed, that half the life of even the most miserable is as unruffled as that of the most happy of men, for that portion is spent in sleep--in the enjoyment of quiet repose--in peace and in security. A quiet reliance upon Providence, a conscience void of offence, temperance and regularity, every person can command, and these are the only requisites to secure sound and pleasant sleep and pleasant dreams. In these every one has happy moments--and in this life we cannot expect more than transient gleams of sunshine--a mixture of sours and sweets, whose agreeable or distasteful flavor depends much more upon ourselves than is commonly imagined.

Addison, the virtuous and religious Addison; often dwells in his writings upon dreams--published many of his stories as the result of them--sometimes treated of them seriously and earnestly, and at others brought all his powers of ridicule into play to expose their absurdity. “Dreams,” he says, “are an instance of that agility and perfection which is natural to the faculties of the mind, where they are disengaged from the body. The soul is clogged and retarded in her operations when she acts in conjunction with a companion that is so heavy and unwieldy in her motions. But in dreams it is wonderful to observe with what sprightliness and alacrity she exerts herself. The flow of speech makes unpremeditated harangues, or converses readily in languages that they are but little acquainted with. The grave abound in pleasantries, the dull in repartee and points of wit. There is not a more painful action of the mind than invention; yet in dreams it works with that ease and activity that we are not sensible of when the faculty is employed. For instance, I believe every one, some time or other, dreams that he is reading papers, books, or letters, in which case the invention prompts so readily that the mind is imposed upon, and mistakes its own suggestions for the compositions of another.” In another part of the same paper he gives the two following problems: “Supposing a man, always happy in his dreams and miserable in his waking thoughts, and that his life was equally divided between them--whether he would be more happy or miserable? Were a man a king in his dreams and a beggar awake, and dreamed as consequentially, and in continued unbroken schemes, as he thinks when awake--whether he would be in reality a king or a beggar, or rather, whether he would not be both?”

Addison was of opinion that some useful instruction might be derived even from a dream: “Since we have so little time to spare, that none of it may be lost, I see no reason why we should neglect to examine those imaginary scenes we are presented with in sleep, only because they have less reality in them than our waking meditation. A traveler would bring his judgment in question, who should despise the directions of his map for want of real roads in it, because here stands a dot instead of a town, or a cipher instead of a city, and it must be a long day’s journey to travel through two or three inches. Fancy in dreams gives us much such another landscape of life as that does of countries, and though its appearance may seem strangely jumbled together, we may often observe such traces and footsteps of noble thoughts, as, if carefully pursued, might lead us into proper course of action. There is so much rapture and ecstacy in our fancied misery, that though the inactivity of the body has given occasion for calling sleep the image of death, the briskness of the fancy affords us a strong intimation of something within us that can never die.”

Addison, however, could treat with a happy ridicule all those everyday dreams with which most persons are so familiar and gives several cases from imaginary correspondents, some dissatisfied with the non-fulfilment of their nocturnal visions, and others annoyed at being disturbed in the midst of their delightful reveries. “I have received,” says Addison, “numerous complaints from several delicious dreamers, desiring me to invent some method of silencing those noisy slaves, whose occupations lead them to take their early rounds about the city in the morning, doing a deal of mischief and working strange confusion in the affairs of its inhabitants. Several monarchs have done me the honor to acquaint me, how often they have been shook from their respective thrones by the rattling of a coach or by the rumbling of a wheelbarrow; and many private gentlemen, I find, have been bawled out of vast estates by fellows not worth three-pence. A fair lady was just upon the point of being married to a young, rich, handsome, ingenious nobleman, when an impertinent tinker, passing by, forbade the banns; and a hopeful youth, who had been newly advanced to great honor and preferment, was forced by a neighboring cobbler to resign all for an old song. It has been represented to me that those inconsiderate rascals do nothing but go about dissolving of marriages, and spoiling of fortunes, impoverishing rich, and ruining great people, interrupting beauties in the midst of their conquests and generals in the course of their victories; a boisterous peripatetic hardly goes through a street without waking half a dozen kings and princes to open their shops, or clean shoes, frequently transforming sceptres into paring-shovels and proclamations into bills. I have by me a letter from a young statesman, who in five or six hours came to be Emperor of Europe, after which he made war upon the Great Turk, routed him horse and foot, and was crowned lord of the universe in Constantinople; the conclusion of all his successes is that, on the twelfth instant, about seven in the morning, his Imperial Majesty was deposed by a chimney sweeper. On the other hand, I have epistolary testimonies of gratitude from many miserable people, who owe to this clamorous tribe frequent deliverance from great misfortunes. A small coalman, by waking one of these distressed gentlemen, saved him from ten years’ imprisonment; an honest watchman, bidding a loud good-morrow to another, freed him from the notice of many potent enemies and brought all their designs against him to nothing. A certain valetudinarian confesses he has often been cured of a sore throat by the hoarseness of a carman and relieved from a fit of the gout by the sound of old shoes.

“A citizen who is waked by one of these criers, may regard him as a kind of remembrancer, come to admonish him that it is time to return to the circumstances he had overlooked all the night time; to leave off fancying what he is not, and prepare to act suitably to the condition he is really placed in.”

That may be called a dream which proceeds either from the spirit of the phantasy and intellect united together, or by the illustration of the agent intellect above our souls, or by the true revelation of some divine power in a quiet and purified mind; for by this our soul receives true oracles, and abundantly yields prophecies to us; as in dreams we seem both to ask questions and learn to find them out. Also many doubtful things, many policies, many things unknown, unwished for, and never attempted by our minds, are manifested to us in dreams; also the representation of things unknown and unknown places appear to us, and the images of men, both alive and dead; and things to come are foretold, and also which at any time have happened are revealed, which we know not by any report. And these kind of dreams need not any interpretation, as those which belong to divination, not to foreknowledge; and it comes to pass that they who have dreams for the most part understand them not; for, as to have dreams is from the strength of imagination, so to understand them is from the strength of understanding. He, therefore, whose intellect being overwhelmed by too much commerce of the flesh, is in a deep sleep, or his fantastic power or spirit is too dull and unpolished, so that it cannot receive the species and representation which flow from the superior intellect; this man is altogether unfit for the receiving of dreams and prophesying by them. Therefore it is necessary that he who would receive true dreams, should keep a pure, undisturbed and imaginative spirit; and so compass it that it may be made worthy of the knowledge and government by the mind, for such a spirit is most fit for prophesying and is a most clear glass of all images which flow everywhere from all things. When, therefore, we are sound in body, not disturbed in mind, our intellect not made dull by heavy meats and strong drink, not sad through poverty, nor provoked through lust, nor incited by any vice, nor stirred up by wrath or anger, not being irreligiously and profanely inclined, not given to levity, nor lost in drunkenness; but chastely going to bed, fall asleep, then our pure and divine soul being free from all the evils above recited, and separated from all hurtful thoughts, and now freed, by dreaming, is endowed with this divine spirit as an instrument, and receives those beams and representations which are darted down as it were, and shine forth from the divine mind into itself, in a deifying glass. It does more certainly, more clearly and efficaciously, behold all things, than by the vulgar inquiry of the intellect and by the discourse of reason. The divine person instructing the soul, being invited to their society by the opportunity of the nocturnal solitariness, neither will that spirit of genius be wanting to him when he is awake, which rules all our actions. But there are four kinds of true dreams, viz.: the first, matutine, _i. e._ between sleeping and waking; the second, that which one sees concerning another; the third, that whose interpretation is shown to the same dreamer in the nocturnal vision; and, lastly, that which is related to the same dreamer in the nocturnal vision. But natural things and their own co-mixtures likewise belong unto wise men, and we often use such to receive oracles from a spirit by a dream, which are either by perfumes, unctions, meats, drinks, rings, seals, &c. Now those who are desirous to receive oracles in or through a dream, let them make themselves a ring of the sun or Saturn for this purpose. There are likewise images of dreams, which being put under the head when one goes to sleep, effectually give true dreams of whatever the mind hath before determined, of which as follows:

Thou shalt make an image of the sun, the figure whereof must be a man sleeping upon the bosom of an angel; which thou shalt make when Leo ascends, the sun being in the ninth house in Aries; then you must write upon the figure the name of the effect desired, and in the hand of the angel the name and character of the intelligence of the sun, which is Michael.

Let the same image be made in Virgo ascending, Mercury being fortunate in Aries in the ninth, or Gemini ascending, Mercury being fortunate in the ninth house in Aquarius; and let him be received by Saturn with a fortunate aspect, and let the name of the spirit (which is Raphael) be written upon it. Let the same likewise be made, Libra ascending, Venus being received from Mercury in Gemini in the ninth house, and write upon it the name of the angel of Venus (which is Annael). Again you make the same image, Aquarius ascending, Saturn fortunately possessing the ninth in his exaltation, which is Libra, and let there be written upon it the name of the angel of Saturn, (which is Cassi-al). The same may be made with Cancer ascending, the moon being received by Jupiter and Venus in Pisces, and being fortunately placed in the ninth house, and write upon it the spirit of the moon (which is Gabriel).

There are likewise made rings of dreams of wonderful efficacy, and there are rings of the sun and Saturn, and the constellation of them is when the sun or Saturn ascend in their exaltation in the ninth house of the nativity, and write and engrave upon the rings the name of the sun or Saturn, and by these rules you may know how and by what means to constitute more of yourself. But know this, that such images work nothing (as they are simply images), except they are vivified by a spiritual and celestial virtue and chiefly by the ardent desire and firm intent of the soul of the operator. But who can give a soul to an image, or make a stone, or metal, or clay, or wood, or wax, or paper to live? Certainly no man whatever; for this arcanum doth enter into an artist of a stiff neck; he only hath it who transcends the progress of angels and comes to the very Archtype himself.

He who is desirous of receiving true oracles by dreams, let him abstain from supper, from drink, and be otherwise well disposed, so his brain will be free from turbulent vapors; let him also have his bedchamber fair and clean, exorcised and consecrated, then let him perfume the same with some convenient fumigation, and let him anoint his temples with some efficacious unguent and put a ring of dreams upon his finger; then let him take one of the images we have spoken of and place the same under his head; then let him address himself to sleep, meditating upon that thing which he desires to know. So shall he receive a most certain and undoubted oracle by a dream, when the moon goes through the sign of the ninth revolution of his nativity, and when she is in the ninth sign from the sign of perfection.

This is the way whereby we may obtain all sciences and arts whatever, whether astrology, occult philosophy, physic, &c., or else suddenly and perfectly with a true illumination of our intellect, although all inferior familiar spirits whatsoever conduce to this effect, and sometimes also evil spirits sensibly inform us intrinsically and extrinsically.

THE WAY TO GET RICH

“There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads to fortune.”

“He that by the plough would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive;
For age and want save while you may,
No morning’s sun lasts a whole day;
Get what you can, and what you get, hold,
’Tis a stone that will turn all your lead into gold;
Therefore be ruled by me, I pray,
Save something for a rainy day.”

_Remember_, that time is money, for he that can earn a dollar a day at his labor, and goes abroad, or sits at home one-half of that day, though he spend but six cents during his diversion or idleness, he ought not to reckon that the only expense; he has really wasted, or rather thrown away, fifty cents besides.

_Remember_, that credit is money; if a man lets his money lie in my hands after it is due, because he has a good opinion of my credit, he gives me the interest, or so much as I can make of the money during that time; this amounts to a very considerable sum, where a man has large credit and also makes a good use of it.

_Remember_, that money is of a prolific or multiplying nature; money will produce money, and its offspring will produce more; and so five shillings turned is six, being turned again is seven and three-pence, and so on, till it becomes a hundred pounds; and the more there is of it, the more it will produce on every turning, so that the profits rise quicker and quicker; and he who throws away a crown, destroys all that it might have produced, even some scores of pounds.