If she is to be married that year, she will positively see the man of her choice before the wane of the full moon.
To find out the two first letters of a future wife’s or husband’s name, take a small Bible and the key of your front street-door, and having opened to Solomon’s Songs, chap. viii., ver. 6 and 7, place the wards of the key on those two verses, and let the bow of the key be about an inch out of the top of the Bible; then shut the book, and tie it round with your garter, so as the key will not move, and the person who wishes to know his or her future husband or wife’s signature, must suspend the Bible, by putting the fore-finger of the right hand under the bow of the key, and the other person in like manner on the other side of the bow of the key, who must repeat the following verses, after the other person’s saying the alphabet, one letter to each time repeating them.
It must be observed, that you mention to the person who repeats the verses, before you begin, which you intend to try first, whether surname or Christian name, and take care to hold the Bible steady; and when you arrive at the appointed letter, the book will turn round under your finger, and that you will find to be the first letter of your intended’s name.
Solomon’s Songs, chap. viii., ver. 6 and 7.
"Set me a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm; for love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as the grave; the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.
“Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it; if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would be utterly contemned.”
Draw all the face cards from the pack and put them into your stocking on a Friday night, placing the stocking under your pillow. You must find out by the Almanac the precise time the sun rises on Saturday morning, and at that moment draw a card. A king denotes a speedy marriage; a queen means delay or celibacy; a Jack is a gay seducer who will give you trouble. Diamonds are riches, hearts true love, spades thrift, and clubs poverty.
It is considered an ill omen when one sees a spider in the morning. The earlier in the morning, and the larger the spider, the greater the evil which threatens you. It is within doors, however, and chiefly in one’s own chamber, that the spider has this signification—out of doors they forebode no harm. The wood spider especially, is not much to be dreaded; what I have said above refers particularly to the house spider. Never, on any account, kill a wood spider. By such an act you would only draw upon yourself the hatred of the whole race of witches, and sooner or later you would suffer from it.
When found in the evening, a spider signifies good luck. The smaller the spider, the greater the good fortune. I will here teach you the following rhyme:
Little spiders have much less evil in them than the others, and those called daddy-long-legs are always messengers of good luck.
If your shoe-tie or apron string breaks, your sweetheart is thinking of you.
If your right ear tingles, some one is speaking well of you, if the left ear tingles, some one is speaking ill of you. To find out who this some one is, you must call out aloud the names of your acquaintance, one after another. The name at which the tingling ceases is the name of the person.
If your nose itches early in the morning, you will on that very day hear a piece of news.
Lay under your pillow a prayer-book, opened at the matrimonial service, bound round with the garters you wore that day, and a sprig of myrtle on the page that says “With this ring I thee wed,” and your dream will be ominous, and you will have your fortune as well told as if you had paid a dollar to an astrologer.
If any one tells you anything, and you are shortly after obliged to sneeze, you may be sure that what was told you is true.
If you hear a wood-tick or death-watch ticking anywhere in the house, you must try to get rid of it as soon as possible, or you will speedily hear of a death which will greatly afflict you.
If there is a cricket in the house, be careful on no account to disturb it. Think of Dickens’ Cricket on the Hearth.
When an ant-heap gathers in your house, it signifies coming wealth—you may, however, destroy the nest.
If the first frog that you see in the spring of the year is sitting upon dry ground, it signifies that, during the same year, you will shed as many tears as the frog would require to swim away in.
When a large red token forms in the flame of a candle-wick, it signifies that the one who first sees it will soon receive a letter.
When you are out of doors on a starlit evening, and shooting stars appear, turn your face upward to the stars, and utter in a whisper the wish nearest your heart. If a star shoots while you do this, you may be sure that the wish will be fulfilled.
When you wish to be sure of many partners at a dance or ball, let a little brother or sister, or any other person hold a thumb for you—that is, keep her hand closed like a fist for a quarter of an hour, holding her thumb between the fore and middle finger, while she thinks of you, and wishes you good luck. This proceeding has a wonderful effect.
If you would have fair weather on your wedding day, you must always faithfully feed the cats. It is true it is a common error when persons think that it forebodes evil when it rains upon the bride in her bridal dress. This is no evil omen, but the contrary. But, above all things, let her be careful not to allow her shoes to get wet. If my young readers would take the trouble to read Frederika Bremer’s work called “The House,” they would find in it a confirmation of this warning.
Write the proper names of the father and the mother, and of the month she conceived with child, and likewise adding all the numbers of those letters together, divide them by seven; and then, if the remainder be even, it will be a girl, if uneven, it will be a boy.
If you wish to know how matters will go with you during the year, you must take good heed of the first crow that you see in the spring. If, when you first see it, it is flying, it signifies that you will take a journey that will be longer or shorter, according to the distance which the bird flies before it alights. It may also signify a complete change of abode, perhaps by a wedding. If you first see the bird sitting, you will remain at home; if cawing, much that you do not think of will happen to you; if upon one leg, fortune will not smile upon you.
If, when in the open field, or upon the highroad, a rabbit runs across your path, it signifies that something unpleasant will happen to you.
If you are going to pay a visit, and you meet with sheep, you will be very welcome; but if you meet with swine, you will be unwelcome.
If you wish to be secure against the nightmare in your sleep, place your shoes side by side upon the floor, at the foot of the bed, so that the toes will point not toward the bed, but in the contrary direction, as if they were going from it.
If you are walking with a young man at a time when the so-called gossamer, those snow-white spider’s threads, are floating about in the air, and one of these delicate fibrous veils sweeps by, and forms a band between you and him, it is a sign that feelings of a tender nature will some day bind you to each other.
If a thick, long spider’s web hangs anywhere from the ceiling, you must sweep it down as soon as possible, for it signifies a suitor, and the one that gets the web will have him.
If you are sewing upon a new dress, apron, &c., &c., and you prick your finger with the needle so as to bring blood, it is a sign that when you first wear the garment you will receive many kisses.
In speaking of a love potion, I made mention of Easter water; many of my readers have, I suppose, never heard of this singular kind of water. I will explain it to you. It is water which is drawn from the river upon Easter morning, before the sun has shone upon it. To obtain it, therefore, you must rise on Easter morning while it is still quite dark, take your way to the river in silence, fill your pitcher in silence, and then make your way home in silence, without looking behind you. You may then go to bed again and have your sleep out. This Easter water has this peculiarity: it will keep sweet throughout the whole year. You can, therefore, fill as many bottles with it as you please, cork them tightly, and lay them away. Besides its use in the above-named love potion, it is beneficial in various maladies, especially in diseases of the eye, and, in addition to this, it is an approved cosmetic.
If you would have bread and cake in plenty during the whole year, hang a full sheaf of rye and a full sheaf of wheat upon a pole outside the door, on Christmas morning, so that the birds may come and feed from it.
The evening which of all others is the most adapted for witchery, is New Year’s eve. It is a very ill practice to spend this evening at a ball, and it is an acknowledged fact that ill luck, more or less, follows a person throughout the year, who has danced the old year out and the new year in.
You should spend New Year’s eve with a small circle of near and dear friends, around a punch-bowl, while you seek to inquire what the future has in store for you. In the first place this may be done with melted lead or wax. Some of you, perhaps, are acquainted with this method of inquiring of the future, yet there may be many among your number who are still ignorant of it. Now, as it is of the highest interest in the world that these should know the process, I will here give, for their benefit, a short explanation of it, which the others may skip over.
Take a good-sized piece of lead or wax, (the former is better,) place it in a melting-ladle, and dissolve it over the coals, or over a spirit-lamp, into which you have poured a little alcohol. You must then take a vessel full of water, (a bowl is best, that is not too deep nor too shallow,) and pour into it the lead or wax, and from the various figures which it forms in the water you endeavor to tell your fortune.
The following is another method: you take four saucers; in one you put a ring, in another a sprig of myrtle, in the third a piece of money, and in the fourth nothing. The individuals composing the company must now walk around the table, blindfold, one after the other, and choose one of the saucers, which, in the mean time, have been changed as to place. Those among the company who choose the ring, will be betrothed in the course of the year; myrtle signifies wedlock, the piece of money wealth, the empty saucer no change of circumstances.
If you wish to know the letter with which your future wife or husband’s name commences, write all the letters of the alphabet, separately, upon small pieces of paper, put these pieces in a box, and draw one out blindfold.
All this may be done before twelve o’clock. Exactly at the stroke of midnight, however, you can summon up your future husband or wife, and behold his or her image up the chimney.
The following is another method: Take two candles, go a little before twelve o’clock into an adjoining chamber—no one on any account must follow you—place yourself before the mirror, and exactly as it strikes twelve, call out your own name in full, three times. When the last sound has died away, you will see in the glass your future husband looking over your shoulder.
The company may not remain together after twelve o’clock. When the old year is out and the new year in, you must embrace, and kiss each other, and then go home. You must not yet go to bed, however, but must first devote an hour to solitude, to reflect upon all which the past year has brought with it, and to commit to writing the chief occurrences, as well as the state of your minds. It would be well to keep a book for this purpose, in which you should read and write only on a new-year’s eve, and at other times keep carefully stored away. I have always done this, and I can assure you, that it is with a feeling of sad, sweet interest, that I now read, each new-year’s eve, of the eighty-nine years of my life.
Among the witcheries which you may perform on a new-year’s eve, there is one to which I have not alluded. Each person of the company, to wit, takes a nutshell, and, after lighting a wax taper, places it in the shell. A basin of water is then brought. You now place the nutshells, with the burning tapers in them, in the basin. Some will incline toward each other as they float along, others will repel each other, until, at last, all are extinguished or sunk. What conclusions in reference to the future, are to be drawn from the various movements of these tiny magic skiffs, your own quick wits will tell you.
After you have gone home, and have devoted an hour to the solitary task which I counselled you (see Candle Spell), take a glass of water, cut a small chip of wood, and lay it crosswise upon the glass, so that it stretches like a bridge, from one end to the opposite one. Then place this glass under your bed. The consequence will be that you will dream during the night that you are walking over a bridge, and that you fall into the water. A gentleman, however, appears and rescues you. This same gentleman, whom you will see very distinctly, be careful to remember, for he is your future husband. A gentleman can make the same experiment, and he will dream the same thing, with the difference only, that it is a lady who rescues him, and she is to be his future wife.
If you wish any person to think of you, pluck a hair from your head, and blow it out into the air toward that quarter of the heavens in which the person lives, while, at the same time, you call out the name of this person three times, at the top of your voice. During this you must be entirely alone, and must have thought intently upon the person for, at least, a quarter of an hour beforehand. At the same instant he will experience a strange unearthly shudder or thrill, and his thoughts will turn irresistibly toward you.
When you are washing, if you are apt to wet your apron a great deal, it is a sign that your future husband will be a tippler. Take good heed therefore!
If a person has nails that are all bitten to pieces, and gnawed close to the quick, it signifies an evil, malicious character, and you have every reason in the world to be on your guard in your intercourse with such a person.
Ascertain from the Almanac the day on which a full moon occurs, and count the number of days from that to the end of the month: you then multiply the number of days in the month by the number ascertained as above, and the total will give you the lucky days (subject to a further test hereafter explained), which must be reckoned this wise: if the total happens to be, say 516, the lucky days of that month would be the 5th and 16th, and if it should be 561, the days are the same, for you must always transpose the figures, when they will work together. Suppose that instead of 516, the total should be 399; as neither of these figures can be paired, the lucky days from that total are the 3d and 9th, and the 9th would be considered doubly lucky, if no tests worked to the contrary.
The unlucky days are determined in precisely the same manner, by multiplying the number of days in the month by the number which had passed previous to a full moon.
After working out your list of lucky days, in the manner above described, you must then test them, in order to be sure that there are no opposing influences. You can do this by calculating the unlucky days. Should you find that any day of the month which was designated as lucky came also in the list of unlucky days, the latter preponderates, and you must strike it from the lucky list.
This plan of demonstrating lucky and unlucky days is very ancient, and has been tested to such an extent that it is considered accurate by most astrologers. In old times, before the mass of the people understood much about figures, the professional fortune-tellers demanded a large fee for casting the lucky days of any month, which they accomplished in the manner above described.
Lucky marriage days for girls were cast in the same manner, except that the age of the girl was used as the multiplicator, or multiplier, instead of the number of days in the month. The result was determined similarly, and also by a test of the unlucky days. Thus, if a girl is 18 years old, and thinks of marrying in October, she takes up an Almanac and ascertains the day of the full moon in that month. It occurs on the 24th, and there are 31 days in the month: this leaves 7 for the multiplier. She multiplies this by her age, 18, and the result is 106, which shows the lucky days in that month for her to marry are the 10th and 6th, unless they are destroyed by the test, which is determined as follows: There are 23 days before the 24th, and she must multiply 23 by 18, which gives 414, and shows that the 4th and 14th are the only unlucky days for her to marry; and as they do not conflict with the lucky days, the 6th and 10th may be considered as genuine lucky days for that month, reckoning the moon to have fulled on the 24th. In determining her age, she should reckon any period over half a year a full year.
So early as Agricola, a celebrated conjuror who lived in ancient times, the divining rod was in much request, and has obtained great credit for its discovering where to dig for metals and springs of water; for some years past its reputation has been upon the decline, but lately it has been revived, and with great success, as I have myself found from numerous experiments that its effects are more than imagination, and to enable others to do the like, I have laid down some short rules, as follows:
Directions for choosing Rods. The hazel and willow rods, I have by experience found, will actually answer with all persons who are in a good state of health, if they are used with moderation, and at some distance of time, after meals, when the operator is in good spirits. The hazel, willow, and elm are all attracted by springs of water. Some persons have the virtue intermittently; the rod in their hands will attract one half hour, and repel the next. The rod is attracted by water, all metals, coals, amber, and lime-stone, but with different degrees of strength.
The best rods are those from the hazel, or nut-tree, as they are pliant and rough, and are best cut in the winter months; a shoot that terminates equally forked is to be preferred, (See Fig. 1,) about two feet and a half long; but as such a fork is rarely to be met with, two single ones of a length, and size may be tied together with thread, and they will answer as well as the others. (See Fig. 2.)
The most convenient and handy method of holding the rod is with the palms of the hands turned upward, and the two ends of the rod coming outward; the palms should be held horizontally as nearly as possible; the part of the rod in the hands ought to be straight, and not bent either backward or forward; the upper part of the arm should be kept pretty close to the sides, and the elbows resting on them, the lower part of the arm making nearly a right angle with the upper, though rather a little more acute; the rod ought to be so held that, in its working, the sides may move clear of the little fingers. The position of the rod, when properly held, is much like the following figure, (see Fig. 3,) where the distance between the four downward lines is the part supposed to be held in the hand.
The best manner of carrying the rod is with the end prolaided in an angle of about eighty degrees from the horizon, as by this method of carrying, the repulsion is more plainly perceived than if it was held perpendicularly. But after all the directions that can be given, the adroit use of it can only be attained by practice. It is necessary that the grasp should be steady, for if, when the rod is going, there should be the least succession or counteraction in the hands, though ever so small, it will greatly impair, and generally totally prevent its activity, which is not to be done by the mere strength of the grasp, for provided this be steady, no strength can stop it.
As soon as the person’s foremost foot comes near the attracting body, the end of the rod is repelled toward the face. (See Fig. 4.) Then open the hands a little, replace the rod, and approach nearer, and the repulsion will be continued until the foot is on or over the attracting body. When this is the case, the rod will first be repelled a little, viz., two or three inches, and then be attracted toward it.
When it hath been drawn down, it must not be thrown back without opening the hands, a fresh grasp being necessary to every attraction, but the least opening of the hand is sufficient. As long as the person stands over the attracting body, the rod continues to be attracted, but as soon as the fore foot is beyond it, then the rod is drawn down backward to the face. Metals have different degrees of attraction: gold is strongest, next copper, then iron, silver, tin, lead, bones, coals, springs of water and lime-stone. To make common experiments, set the foot on a piece or coin of any of these metals, having the rod in your hands as before directed. In using the rod to discover springs and metals, let the person hold the rod as already directed, and then advancing north or south with a slow pace, just one foot before the other, at first the rod may be repelled, but as the person advances slowly, and comes over the spring, or vein of ore, the rod will be strongly attracted. The divining rod is sometimes called Divina Virgula, and sometimes The Luck Rod.
1. A child born within twenty-one hours after the new moon will be fortunate and live to a good old age; whatever is dreamt on this day will be fortunate and pleasant to the dreamer; various undertakings will succeed on this day.
2. This is a very lucky day for discovering things lost or hidden; the child born on this day will thrive, but the dreams are not to be depended upon.
3. A child born on this day will be fortunate through persons in power, and all dreams will prove true.
4. This day is bad; persons failing on this day rarely recover; the dreams will have no effect.
5. This day is favorable to begin a good work, and the dreams will be tolerably successful; the child born on this day will be vain and deceitful.
6. The dreams of this day will not immediately come to pass; and the child born will not live long.
7. Do not tell your dreams on this day; if sickness befall you on this day you will soon recover; the child born will live long, but have many troubles.
8. Dreams of this day will come to pass; business begun on this day will prosper, and anything lost will be found.
9. This day differs little from the former, the child born on this day will acquire great riches and honor.
10. This day is likely to be fatal; those who fall sick will rarely recover; the child born on this day will be devoted to religion, and of an engaging form and manner; if a female, she will possess an uncommon share of wisdom and learning; this day is good to begin a journey, to marry, or to engage in business.
11. Dreams on this day are fortunate; and the child born will live long, and be very sensible; but a person who falls sick on this day rarely recovers.
12. Dreams on this day will quickly prove true.
13. If you ask a favor on this day, it will be granted.
14. The sickness that befalls a person on this day is likely to prove mortal; what was lost yesterday may be found to-day.
15. The child born on this day will be of ill manners and unfortunate; it is a good day for dealing in merchandise.
16. The child born on this day will be foolish; it is an unlucky day to marry, or to begin any kind of business on.
17. The child born on this day will be very valiant, but will suffer hardships; if a female, she will be chaste and industrious, and live respected to a great age.
18. This day is dangerous; the child born will be dishonest.
19. Dreams on this day will be vain and untrue; the child born will grow up healthy and strong, but be of a selfish and ungentle turn of mind.
20. The child born will be fortunate, and of a cheerful countenance, religious, and much beloved; any kind of business begun, on this day will be unfortunate.
21. The child born on this day will be of an ungovernable temper, forsake his friends, wander in a foreign land, and be unhappy through life; it is a happy day to marry on; and all business begun on this day will be successful.
22. The child born on this day will be wicked, meet with many dangers, and come to an untimely end; it is a very unfortunate day, and threatens everything with disappointment and crosses: whoever falls sick on this day seldom recovers.
23. Dreams on this day are certain; and the child born or this day will be rich and greatly esteemed.
24. This day is favorable for dreams; and the child born will be of a sweet and amiable disposition.
25. This day is bad for dreams, and those who fall sick on it, are in great danger; the child born on this day will be its parents’ delight, but will not live to any great age.
26. This day is good for dreams, but children born on it will experience many hardships, though in the end, they may turn out happily.
27. This is a very unfortunate day to look for anything that is lost, but a child born on this day will make a great stir in the world, either as a statesman, soldier, physician, or clergyman.
28. A child born upon this day will live to be a rich and truly good man if born before noon, but if born after that hour, it is to be feared that he will be dissipated or worthless.
29. Dreams on this day are not worth a moment’s attention, for rest assured they will never be fulfilled. Never buy a lottery ticket on this day.
The Signs of a Choleric Disposition are,
1. The habit of the body hot in touch, dry, lean, hard, and hairy.
2. The color of the face, yellow.
3. A natural dryness of the mouth and tongue.
4. The thirst great, and frequent.
5. Activity and inquietude of the body.
6. The pulse hard, swift, and often beating.
7. The spittle bitter.
8. The dreams are most of yellow things, of brawls, of fights and quarrels.
The Signs of a Sanguine Constitution are,
1. The habit of the body hot in touch, fleshy, soft and hairy.
2. The color of the body fresh, sanguine and lively.
3. A natural and constant blush in the face.
4. The pulse soft, moist, and full.
5. The spittle sweet.
6. Dreams most commonly of red things, of beauty, feasting, dancing, music, and all jovial and pleasing recreations.
7. A continual habit of pleasantness and affability.
8. Often affected with jests, mirth, and laughter.
The Signs of a Phlegmatic Constitution are,
1. The habit of the body, cold and moist; in touch, soft, fat, gross, and not hairy.
2. A constant natural whiteness, or wanness in the face.
3. The pulse soft, slow, and rare.
4. The thirst little, and seldom desiring drink.
5. The dreams usually are of white things, floods, inundations, and accidents belonging to water.
6. Sleep, much and frequent.
7. Slowness and dulness of the body to exercise.
The Signs of a Melancholy Constitution are,
1. The body in touch, cold, dry, lean, and smooth.
2. The body of a dark, dull, gloomy, leaden color.
3. The spittle in small quantities, and sour.
4. Pulse little, rare and hard.
5. They dream of terrible things, as ghosts, wild beasts, etc.
6. Greatly oppressed with fear.
7. Constancy in the performance of the thing intended.
The Signs of a Generous Person are,
1. The forehead large, fleshy, plain and smooth.
2. The eye moist and shining.
3. The countenance expressing joy and content.
4. The voice pleasant.
5. The motion of the body, slow, etc.
The Signs of an Ill-natured Person.
1. The form of the body meagre and lean.
2. The forehead cloudy, sullen and wrinkled.
3. The eye cast down and malicious.
4. A nimble tongue.
5. Walking a short, quick, uneven pace.
6. A secret murmuring to himself as he walks.
No Book on Fortune-telling and Dreams would be complete without the signification of the flowers. If we dream of, or have those smiles of nature given to us, we should at once consult the language of Flora and ascertain what our dream or present signifies.
It is no new thing to attach a sentiment or meaning to each flower. In Eastern lands flowers have a language which all understand. It is that “still small voice” which is powerful on account of its silence. It is one of the chief amusements of the Greek girls to drop these symbols of their esteem or scorn upon the various passengers who pass their latticed windows, and the traveller can read upon Egyptian rocks accounts of the conquests of that ancient people recorded by foreign plants. Accompanying, we give a complete dictionary of the meaning of the flowers.
Acacia Blossom. Come to my heart!
Aconite—blue. Flatterer! are you to be trusted?
Aconite—yellow. Your caprice is unendurable.
Alpine Rose. Love must venture; timidity can never win.
Amaranth. The earthly only can become the spoil of the grave; love is immortal, and belongs to heaven.
Anemone. My thought by day, and my dream by night.
Anemone-wood. Your cruelty is destroying me.
Anise. You must mend your manners.
Apple Blossom. Who plucks the blossoms, destroys his hopes of fruit.
Apricot Blossom. Are you always so gay, so trifling?
Aster. Weep no longer—you will find him again above the stars.
Aspen-leaf. Your heart beats for every one, therefore no heart beats for you.
Auricula. Who would not love you?
Balsam. Splendor dazzles, grace alone enchains.
Balsam-rose. Let my image dwell always in your heart.
Barley. Come again to-morrow.
Bean Blossom. Forgive me, I misunderstood you.
Birch Branch. How sweetly are sorrow’s tears dried up on the bosom of a sympathizing friend.
Blackberry Branch. Contentment and love.
Blue-bottle. Be simple and humble, and life will always appear to you in heavenly colors.
Box-wood. I hope continually.
Buckwheat Blossom. Not idle show, quiet domestic virtues alone ensure lasting happiness.
Burr. Like seeks like.
Butter-cup. Your presence is consoling to me.
Cabbage-leaf. When you come again, come sober.
Camomile. Could you, then, love anybody beside yourself?
Carnation. How I burn!
Centaury. You seek money only—I will not waste my love upon you.
Cherry Blossom. When will love tinge your cheeks?
Chestnut Blossom. Always as to-day.
Clover Blossom. I will live for you.
Columbine. Your words sound well, but what says your heart?
Crown-imperial. Let me be your slave, and I am happy.
Cuckoo-flower. I like not long complainings.
Currant-twig. Whoever loves me must share my sorrow, and respect my grief.
Cypress. When my heart is broken, and I lie in the cold grave give me at least a tear.
Daffodil. Let me not pine!
Dill. Love strengthens—I will protect you.
Elder Blossom. Your fidelity is destined to a sweet reward.
Fig-leaf. I am ashamed.
Flax. Do you love me for myself?
Fox-glove. None but a fool could be as forward as you.
Gilliflower. Where you are, it is always spring.
Grape-vine. Fear not! Love conquers!
Grass. Love for love, truth for truth.
Hazel-twig. Forgive me!
Heart’s-ease. Because I feel friendship for you, you imagine that I love you—you are in error.
Heather Blossom. I ask only for your friendship.
Heliotrope. Give me proofs of your love.
Honey-suckle. Eternal fidelity! When shall we meet again?
Hyacinth-single. When I am dead, you will regret your cruelty.
Hyacinth-double. Heaven shines in your eyes; the angels listen to your words.
Hydrangea. And you could so soon forget me!
Immortelle. True love is unchangeable.
Iris. Why have you disturbed the peace of my heart?
Ivy. I am ever true.
Jasmine. Can calm, domestic happiness content you?
Lark-spur. Your love is my aim.
Laurel. You have my heart.
Lemon Blossom. Give me hope!
Lily-tiger. My heart burns.
Lily-white. Angel, let me adore you.
Linden Blossom. I am favorably inclined to you.
Maple-twig. What is more painful than to be misunderstood by one you love?
Marigold. I like you not.
Marsh-mallow. To fondle is not to love.
Mignonnette. Not beauty, but goodness of heart is my choice.
Mullen. If you love me, I envy not a king’s crown.
Mushroom. Away! go home, and cry about it!
Myrtle Blossom. Be constant; sweet is the reward of love.
Myrtle Branch. Will you be my wife (husband)?
Nettle. Beware! coquetry has its penalty.
Oak-leaf. My fidelity bids defiance to every storm.
Oats. Return.
Oleander. True until death.
Parsley. You are in love with me.
Peony. You are too vain—and of what?
Pine. In vain you strive to gain my confidence—stern fate has made me rude and silent.
Pink-carthusian. Why so reserved?
Pink-variegated. Friendship is all that I can feel for you.
Pomegranate Blossom. A kiss.
Poppy. I cannot endure you—you are too stupid.
Potato Blossom. Modest worth surpasses outward show.
Primrose. Give me your love—I will cherish it faithfully and in secret.
Ranunculus. Where you are there is my home.
Ribbon Grass. Give me a kiss.
Rocket. Sleep visits not my eyelids; I wake and long for you.
Rose—monthly. Every month you have a new love.
Rose—red. You pass like a conqueror through the world.
Rose—white. Beautiful are you in childlike innocence, more beautiful will you be when warmed by the breath of love.
Rose-bud. Your presence fills me with heavenly longing.
Rose-leaf—red. Yes!
Rose-leaf—white. No!
Rosemary. You were absent—life departed; you returned—I live again.
Snow-drop. You have kindled the first sparks of love in my bosom.
Strawberry. Not earthly rank gives happiness, but worth and amiability.
Sweet-pea. Your name is inconstancy.
Sweet-william. Light and hasty impressions are soon effaced.
Thistle. Your words offend me; you have deeply wounded me.
Thyme. I have not understood you.
Veronica. What would this world be without you?
Violet. I love you for your gentle modesty.
Wintergreen. Remain constant and true—then we will meet again.
Wood-sorrel. You brighten my existence as the stars brighten the night.
Strength of Body is known by a stiff hair, large bones, firm and robust limbs, short muscular neck, firm and erect, the head and breast high, the forehead short, hard, and peaked, with bristly hair, large feet, rather thick than broad, a harsh unequal voice, and choleric complexion.
Weakness of Body is distinguished by a small ill-proportioned head, narrow shoulders, soft skin, and melancholy complexion.
The signs of Long life are strong teeth, a sanguine temperament, middle stature, 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 grinders before the age of puberty, thin, straggling and uneven teeth, confused lines in the hand, of a quick but small growth.
A Good Genius may be expected from a thin skin, middle stature, blue bright eyes, fair complexion, straight, pretty strong hair, an affable aspect, the eyebrows joined, moderation in mirth, an open, cheerful countenance, and the temples a little concave.
A Dunce may be known by a swollen neck, plump arms, sides, and loins, a round head, concave behind, a large fleshy forehead, pale eyes, a dull heavy look, small joints, snuffing nostrils, and a proneness to laughter, little hands, an ill-proportioned head, either too big or too little, blubber lips, short fingers, and thick legs.
Fortitude is promised from a wide mouth, a sonorous voice, grave, slow, and always equal, upright posture, large eyes, pretty open and steadfast, 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, a large corpulent chest, and brown complexion.
Boldness is characterized by a prominent mouth, rugged appearance, rough forehead, arched eyebrows, large nostrils and teeth, short neck, great arms, ample chest, square shoulders and a forward countenance.
Prudence is generally distinguished by a head which is flat on the sides, a broad square forehead, a little concave in the middle, a soft voice, a large chest, a thin hair, light eyes, either blue, brown or black, large eyes, and an aquiline nose.
A good Memory is commonly attached to those persons who are smaller, yet better formed in the upper than the lower parts, not fat but fleshy, of a fair, delicate skin, with the poll of the head uncovered, crooked nose, teeth thick set, large ears with plenty of cartilage.
A bad Memory is observable in persons who are larger in their superior than inferior parts, fleshy, though dry and bald.—N. B. This is expressly contrary to the opinion of Aristotle, who says that the superior parts being larger than the inferior signify a good memory, and vice versa.
A good Imagination and thoughtful Disposition is distinguished by a large prominent forehead, a fixed and attentive look, slow respiration, and an inclination of the head.
A good Sight is enjoyed by those persons who have generally black, thick, straight eye-lashes, large bushy eyebrows, concave eyes, contracted as it were inwards.
Short-sighted People have a stern, earnest look, small, short eyebrows, large pupils and prominent eyes.
Sense of Hearing: those who possess the same in perfection, have ears well furnished with gristle, well channelled and hairy.
The Sense of Smelling is most perfect in those who have large noses, descending very near the mouth, neither too moist nor too dry.
A nice Faculty of Tasting is peculiar to such as have a spongy, porous, soft tongue, well moistened with saliva, yet not too moist.
Delicacy in the Touch belongs to those who have a soft skin, sensible nerves, and nervous sinews, moderately warm and dry.
Irascibility is accompanied by an erect posture, a clear skin, a solemn voice, open nostrils, moist temples, displaying superficial veins, thick neck, equal use of both hands, quick pace, blood-shot eyes, large, unequal, ill-ranged eyes, and choleric disposition.
Timorousness resides where we find a concave neck, pale color, weak-winking eyes, soft hair, smooth plump breast, shrill tremulous voice, small mouth, thin lips, broad thin hands, and small shambling feet.
Melancholy is denoted by a wrinkled countenance, dejected eyes, meeting eyebrows, slow pace, fixed look, and deliberate respiration.
An Amorous Disposition may be known by a fair, slender face, a redundancy of hair, rough temples, broad forehead, moist shining eyes, wide nostrils, narrow shoulders, hairy hands and arms, well-shaped legs.
Gayety attends a serene open forehead, rosy agreeable countenance, a sweet musical tone of voice, an agile body and soft flesh.
Envy appears with a wrinkled forehead, frowning, dejected, and squinting look, a pale, melancholy countenance, and a dry, rough skin.
Intrepidity often resides in a small body, with red curled hair, ruddy countenance, frowning eyebrows, arched and meeting, eyes blue and yellowish, large mouth, and red lines in the hand.
Gentleness and Complacency may be distinguished by a soft and moist palm, frequency of shutting the eyes, soft movement, slow speech, soft, straight and lightish-colored hair.
Bashfulness may be discovered by moist eyes, never wide open, eyebrows frequently lowered, blushing cheeks, moderate pace, slow and submissive speech, bent body, and glowing ears of a purple hue.
Temperance or Sobriety is accompanied with an equal respiration, a moderate-sized mouth, smooth temples, eyes of an ordinary size, either fair or azure, and a short, flat body.
Strength of Mind is signified by light, curled hair, a small body, shining eyes, but a little depressed, a grave intense voice, bushy beard, large broad back and shoulders.
Pride stands confessed with arched eyebrows, a large prominent mouth, a broad chest, slow pace, erected head, shrugging shoulders, and staring eyes.
Luxury dwells with a ruddy or pale complexion, downy temples, bald pate, little eyes, thick neck, corpulent body, large nose, thin eyebrows, and hands covered with a kind of down.
Loquacity may be expected from a bushy beard, broad fingers, pointed tongue, eyes of a ruddy hue, a large prominent upper lip, and a sharp pointed nose.
Perverseness may be dreaded, when we perceive a high forehead, firm, short, thick, immovable neck, quick speech, immoderate laughter, fiery eyes, and short fleshy hands and fingers.
DICK & FITZGERALD,
PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK.
⁂ The Publishers, upon receipt of the price, will send any of the following books by mail, POSTAGE FREE, to any part of the United States. In ordering books, the full name, post-office, county and State should be plainly written.