IT must be admitted that this practice — however absurd in
its object and application — does great credit to human ingenuity.
Once admitting the possibility of such conjuring, it is
impossible to deny the propriety of the reasonings deduced from
the turning up, the collocation, or the juxta-position of the
various cards, when the formalities of the peculiar shuffle and
cut required have been duly complied with by the consulter.
The cards are first shuffled ad libitum, then cut
three different times, and laid on a table, face upwards, one by
one, in the form of a circle, or more frequently nine in a row.
If the conjurer is a man he chooses one of the kings as his
representative; if a woman, she selects one of the queens. This
is on the supposition that persons are
consulting for themselves; otherwise it is the fortune-teller who
selects the representative card. Then the queen of the chosen
king, or the king of the chosen queen, stands for a husband or
wife, mistress or lover, of the party whose fortune is to be
told. The knave of the suit represents the most intimate person
of their family.
The ninth card every way, that is, counted from the
representative, is of the greatest consequence, and that interval
comprises the `circle' of the inquirer, for good or for evil.
Now, all the cards have had assigned to them arbitrary,
but plausible, characteristics. Thus, the ace of clubs
(that suit representing originally the `fortunate husbandmen')
promises great wealth, much prosperity in life, and tranquillity
of mind — if it turns up within your circle, as before mentioned.
King of clubs announces a man of dark complexion who is humane,
upright, &., in fact, just the man for a husband. Queen of
clubs is equally propitious as the emblem of a dark lady who
would prove a paragon wife. Knave of clubs, a jolly good friend
in every way. Ten of clubs always flurries the heart of the
inquirer — especially
if `hard up' — for it
denotes riches speedily forthcoming from an
unexpected
quarter — which is usually the case in such circumstances; but
then it also threatens the loss of some dear friend — which,
however, cannot signify much if you get `the money.' Seven of
clubs promises the most brilliant fortune, and the most exquisite
bliss this world can afford; but then you are ungallantly warned
that you must `beware of the opposite sex' — which seems a
contradiction in terms — for how call `the most exquisite bliss
this world can afford' be secured without the aid of `the
opposite sex'? Five of clubs is the main point of maid-servants,
young girls from the country, governesses, in short, of all the
floating womanhood of the land — for `it declares that you will
shortly be married to a person who will —
mend your
circumstances.' The trey of clubs is scarcely less
exhilarating, for it promises that you will be married three
times, and each time to a wealthy person. On the whole the suit
of clubs is very lucky, but, very appropriately, the
deuce
thereof portends some `unfortunate opposition to your favourite
inclination, which will disturb you.'[80]
[80] According to other authorities, the
ace of clubs
means a letter; the
nine, danger caused by drunkenness;
the
eight, danger from covetousness; the
seven, a
prison, and danger from the opposite sex; the six, competence by
hard-working industry; the
five, a happy but
not
wealthy marriage; the
four, danger of misfortunes caused
by inconstancy or capricious temper; the
trey, quarrels.
The suit of diamonds is by no means so satisfactory as the
gem of a name would seem to indicate; but perhaps we must
remember that this suit represented originally the commercial
classes, and that probably this divination by cards was in-vented by some proud aristocrat in those times when
tradesmen did not stand so high as they now do in morality,
uprightness, &. The ace of diamonds puts you on the qui
vive for the postman; it means a letter. It is
only to be hoped that it is not one of those nasty things,
yellow outside and blue within — a dun from some
importunate butcher, baker, grocer, or — tailor. The king of
diamonds shows a revengeful, fiery, obstinate fellow of very fair
complexion in your circle; the queen of diamonds is nothing but a
gay coquette, of the same complexion as the king, and not `over-virtuous' — a very odd phrase in use for the absence of virtue
altogether; the knave of diamonds is a selfish, impracticable
fellow; ten of diamonds is one of the few exceptions to the evil
omens of this suit,
it promises a country
husband or a wife with great wealth and many children — the number
of the latter being indicated by the next card to it; it also
signifies a purse of gold — but where? Oh, where? Nine of
diamonds indicates simply a vagabond, full of vexation and
disappointment; eight of diamonds shows an enemy to marriage, who
may, however, `marry late,' and find himself in a terrible `fix;'
seven of diamonds is worse still, portending all the horrors of
the divorce court and the bankruptcy court — conjugal profligacy
and extravagance; six of diamonds means early marriage and
premature widowhood, and a second marriage, which will probably
be worse; five of diamonds is the next exception to the misery of
this suit, it promises `good children, who will
keep you from
grief' — at best, however, only a makeshift; four of diamonds
is as bad as seven of diamonds — portending the same results; the
trey of diamonds threatens all manner of strife, law-suits, &.,
promises a vixen for a wife, to your great domestic misery; the
deuce of diamonds concludes the catalogue of wretchedness with
the assurance that you will fall in love early, that your parents
will not approve of your choice, and if you marry,
notwithstanding, that they will hardly ever forgive
you.[81]
[81] Otherwise the
ace of diamonds means a wedding ring,
the
king, a fiery but a placable person, of very fair
complexion; the
ten, money, success in honourable
business; the
eight, a happy prudent marriage, though late
in life; the
five, unexpected and most likely good news;
the
four, a faithless friend, a betrayed secret.
The suit of hearts, as previously explained, represented
originally the ecclesiastical order, the jolly monks, churchmen
of all degrees; how far the indications tally must be left to the
ingenious reader to determine. The ace of hearts means feasting
and pleasure; but if attended by spades, it foretells
quarrelling; if by hearts it shows affection and friendship; if
by diamonds, you will hear of some absent friend; if by clubs, of
merry-making: the king of hearts denotes a not very fair
man, good-natured, but hot and hasty individual, and very
amorous; the queen of hearts promises a lady of golden locks (not
necessarily `carrots'), faithful and affectionate; the knave of
hearts is a particular friend, and great attention must be paid
to the card that stands next to him, as from it alone you can
judge whether the person it represents will favour your
inclination or not, because he is always the dearest friend or
nearest relation
of the consulting party; the
ten of hearts shows good nature and many children, and is a
corrective of the bad tidings of the cards that stand next to it;
and if its neighbouring cards are of good import, it ascertains
and confirms their value: nine of hearts promises wealth,
grandeur, and high esteem; if cards that are unfavourable stand
near it, you may expect disappointments; and the reverse, if
favourable cards follow; if these last be at a small distance,
expect to retrieve your losses, whether of peace or goods: eight
of hearts signifies drinking and feasting; seven of hearts shows
a fickle and unfaithful person, vicious, spiteful, malicious; six
of hearts promises a generous, open, credulous disposition, often
a dupe; if this card comes before your king or queen (as the case
may be)
you will be the dupe; if after, you will get the
upper hand: five of hearts portends a wavering, unsteady, un-reliable individual of either sex: four of hearts indicates late
marriage from `delicacy in making a choice:' trey of hearts is
rather a `poser;' `it shows that your own impudence will greatly
contribute to your experiencing the ill-will of others:' deuce of
hearts promises extraordinary success and good fortune, though,
perhaps, you may have
to wait long for `the
good time coming.'[82]
[82] Or, — the
ace of hearts denotes the house of the
consulter; the
queen, a lady not
very fair;
seven, many good friends; six, honourable courtship;
five, a present;
four, domestic troubles caused by
jealousy.
The suit of spades originally represented the
nobility, and the following are its significances in
fortune-telling. The ace of spades wholly relates to love-affairs, without specifying whether lawful or unlawful — a pretty
general occupation of the `nobility,' of course; it also denotes
death when the card is upside down: the king of spades shows a
man ambitious and successful at court, or with some great man who
will have it in his power to advance him — but, let him beware of
the reverse! the queen of spades shows that a person will be
corrupted by the rich of both sexes; if she is handsome great
attempts will be made on her virtue: the knave of spades shows a
fellow that requires much rousing, although `quite willing to
serve you' with his influence and patronage — like many a member
in the case of his importunate constituents: the ten of spades is
a card of caution, counteracting the good effect of the card near
you: the nine of spades is positively the worst card in the whole
pack; it portends dan
gerous sickness, total
loss of fortune, cruel calamities, endless dissension in your
family, and death at last — I hope you may never see it near you:
the eight of spades indicates much opposition from your
friends, or those you imagine to be such; if this card
comes near you, leave your plan and adopt another: seven of
spades shows the loss of a most valuable, influential friend,
whose death will plunge you in very great distress and poverty:
the six of spades announces a mediocrity of fortune, and great
uncertainty in your undertakings: the five of spades is rather
doubtful as to success or a rise in life; but it promises luck in
the choice of your companion for life, although it shows that
your own temper is rather sullen — and so to get a `fond creature'
to take care of you, with such a temper, is a mighty great
blessing, and more than you deserve: the four of spades shows
sickness speedily, and injury of fortune by friends: the trey of
spades shows that you will be fortunate in marriage, but but{sic}
that your inconstant temper will make you unhappy: the deuce of
spades is the
undertaker, at last; it positively shows a
coffin, but who it is for must depend entirely on the
cards that are near it.[83]
[83] Or, — the
ace of spades denotes death, malice, a duel,
a general misfortune; the
king, a man of very dark
complexion, ambitious, and unscrupulous; the
queen, a very
dark-complexioned woman of malicious disposition, or a widow; the
knave, a lawyer, a person to be shunned; the
ten,
disgrace, crime, imprisonment, death on the scaffold; the
eight, great danger from imprudence; the
six, a
child, to the unmarried a card of caution; the
five, great
danger from giving way to bad temper; the
trey, a journey
by land, — tears; the
deuce, a removal.
`The nine of hearts is termed the wish card. After the
general fortune has been told, a separate and different
manipulation is performed, to learn if the pryer into futurity
will obtain a particular wish; and from the position of the wish
card in the pack the required answer is deduced.
`The foregoing is merely the alphabet of the art; the
letters, as it were, of the sentences formed by the various
combinations of the cards. A general idea only can be given here
of the manner in which those prophetic sentences are formed. As
before stated, if a married woman consults the cards, the king of
her own suit, or complexion, represents her husband; but with
single women, the lover, either in esse or posse,
is represented by his own colour; and all cards, when
representing persons, lose their own normal significations.
There are exceptions, however, to these general
rules. A man, no matter what his complexion, if he wear
uniform, even if he be the negro cymbal-player in a regimental
band, can be represented by the king of diamonds: — note, the
dress of policemen and volunteers is not considered as uniform.
On the other hand, a widow, even if she be an albiness, can be
represented only by the queen of spades.
`The ace of hearts always denoting the house of the person
consulting the decrees of fate, some general rules are applicable
to it. Thus the ace of clubs signifying a letter, its position,
either before or after the ace of hearts, shows whether the
letter is to be sent to or from the house. The ace of diamonds
when close to the ace of hearts foretells a wedding in the house;
but the ace of spades betokens sickness and death.
`The knaves represent the thoughts of their respective
kings and queens, and consequently the thoughts of the persons
whom those kings and queens represent, in accordance with their
complexions. For instance, a young lady of a rather but not
decidedly dark complexion, represented by the queen of clubs,
when consulting the cards, may be shocked to find her fair lover
(the king
of diamonds) flirting with a wealthy
widow (the queen of spades, attended by the ten of diamonds), but
she will be reasured {sic} by finding his thoughts (the knave of
diamonds) in combination with a letter (ace of clubs), a wedding
ring (ace of diamonds), and her house (the ace of hearts);
clearly signifying that, though he is actually flirting with the
rich widow, he is, nevertheless, thinking of sending a letter,
with an offer of marriage, to the young lady herself. And look,
where are her own thoughts, represented by the knave of clubs;
they are far away with the old lover, that dark man (king of
spades) who, as is plainly shown by his being attended by the
nine of diamonds, is prospering at the Australian diggings or
elsewhere. Let us shuffle the cards once more, and see if the
dark man, at the distant diggings, ever thinks of his old flame,
the club-complexioned young lady in England. No! he does not.
Here are his thoughts (the knave of spades), directed to this
fair, but rather gay and coquettish, woman (the queen of
diamonds); they are separated but by a few hearts, one of them,
the sixth (honourable courtship), showing the excellent
understanding that exists between them. Count, now, from the six
of hearts
to the ninth card from it, and lo!
it is a wedding ring (the ace of diamonds); they will be married
before the expiration of a twelvemonth.'
Such is the scheme of fortune-telling by cards, as
propounded in the learned disquisitions of the adepts, and Betty,
or Martha, or her mistress can consult them by themselves
according to the established method — without exposing themselves
to the extortionate cunning of the wandering gipsies or the
permanent crone of the city or village. They may just as well
believe what comes out according to their own manipulation as by
that of the heartless cheats in question. Your ordinary fortune-tellers are not over-particular, being only anxious to tell you
exactly what you want to know. So if a black court card gets in
juxta-position with and looking towards a red court card, the
fair consulter's representative, then it is evident that some
`dark gentleman' is `after her;' and vice versâ; and if
a wife, suspecting her husband's fidelity, consults the cards,
the probability is that her suspicions will receive
`confirmation strong' from the fact that `some dark woman,' that
is, a black queen, `is after her husband;' or vice
versâ, if a husband consults the card-woman respecting the
suspicions he may have reason to entertain
with regard to his `weaker rib' or his `intended.'
It need scarcely be observed that fortune-tellers in any
place are `posted up' in all information or gossip in the
neighbourhood; and therefore they readily turn their knowledge to
account in the answers they give to anxious inquirers.
Apart from this, however, the interpretations are so
elaborately comprehensive that `something' must come true
in the revelations; and we all know that in such matters that
something coming to pass will far outweigh the non-fulfilment of
other fatal ordinations. Of course no professional fortune —
teller would inform an old man that some dark or fair man was
`after' his old woman; but nothing is more probable than the
converse, and much family distraction has frequently resulted
from such perverse revelation of `the cards.' In like manner
your clever fortune-teller will never promise half-a-dozen
children to `an old lady,' but she will very probably hold forth
that pleasant prospect — if such it be — to a buxom lass of seven-teen or eighteen — especially in those counties of England where
the ladies are remarkable for such profuse bounty to their
husbands.
As a general proposition, it matters very little what may
be the means of vaticination or prediction — whether cards, the
tea-grounds in the cup, &., — all possible events have a
degree of probability of coming to pass, which may vary from 20
to 1 down to a perfect equality of chance; and the clever
fortune-teller, who may be mindful of her reputation, will take
care to regulate her promises or predictions according to that
proposition.
Many educated ladies give their attention to the cards,
and some have acquired great proficiency in the art. On board a
steamer sailing for New York, on one occasion a French lady among
the saloon-passengers undertook to amuse the party by telling
their fortunes. A Scotch young gentleman, who was going out to
try and get a commission in the Federal army, had his fortune
told. Among the announcements, as interpreted by the lady, was
the rather unpleasant prospect that two constables would be
`after' him! We all laughed heartily at the odd things that came
out for everybody, and then the thing was forgotten; the steamer
reached her destination; and all the companions of the pleasant
voyage separated and went their different ways.
Some months after, I met the young gentleman above alluded
to, and among the various adventures which he had had, he
mentioned the following. He said that shortly after his arrival
in New York he presented a ten-dollar note which he had received,
at a drinking-house, that it was declared a forged note, and that
he was given into custody; but that the magistrate, on being
conclusively convinced of his respectability, dismissed the
charge without even taking the trouble to establish the alleged
fact that the note was a forgery. So far so good; but on the
following morning, whilst at breakfast at his hotel, another
police-officer pounced upon him, and led him once more on the
same charge to another magistrate, who, however, dismissed the
case like the other.[84]
[84] It appears that this is allowable in New York. The
explanation of the perverse prosecution was, that the young
gentleman did not `fee' the worthy policemen, according to custom
in such cases.
Thereupon I said — `Why, the French lady's card-prediction
on board came to pass! Don't you remember what she said about
two constables being "after you''?'
`Now I remember it,' he said; `but I had positively
forgotten all about it. Well, she was
right
there — but I am sorry to say that nothing else she
promised has come to pass.'
Doubtless all other consulters of the cards and of
astrologers can say the same, although all would not wisely
conclude that a system must be erroneous which misleads human
hope in the great majority of cases. In fact, like the
predictions in our weather-almanacks, the fortune-teller's an-nounceements {sic} are only right by chance, and wrong
on principle.
