University of Virginia Library

Happening to be in my chamber, this
morning, the maid came running up stairs in such
violent haste, as to put herself fairly out of breath.
Will you be so kind, Miss Sophia, said she, as to
lend me a quarter of a dollar? I put my hand
into my pocket, and found I had no small change.
I have nothing less than a dollar, Susan, said I;
but, if it is a matter of consequence to you, I
will go to my mamma, and procure it for you.
She was loath to give me that trouble; but, if I
would, it would really oblige her very much indeed.
Her solicitude excited my curiosity. Will
you inform me what you want it for? said I.
O yes; she believed it was no harm—But there
was a woman in the wood-house, who told fortunes;
and she wished to know her's, but could
not without the money. A woman who tells
fortunes! said I. What fortunes? the past, or
the future? The future, to be sure, Ma'am, rejoined
she. Ay, how does she know them? said
I. Has she been let into the secret designs of
Providence? or can she divine the mysteries of
fate? She tells fortunes by cards, Ma'am, said
she; and I really believe she tells true. Can you
imagine, said I, that a knowledge of your destiny
in life, is to be gained from any possible arrangement

of a pack of cards? Why not, Ma'am?
Many people have been told exactly what was to
happen. You may depend on it, Susan, said I,
you are deceived. The Almighty, who disposes
all events according to his sovereign pleasure,
does not unveil futurity to mortals, especially to
such mortals, who, by an idle vicious course of
life, counteract his laws, and disregard his authority.
I would willingly give you the money,
twice told, if you needed it; but I cannot consent
to your being imposed on, by this worthless
vagrant, who has no other design than to pick
your pocket.

The girl departed at these words; and, though
I felt an emotion of regret at refusing to gratify
her, yet my reason and conscience forbad my being
accessary to the fraud.

This curiosity to explore the hidden counsels of
the Most High, prevails not only among servants,
but even many, from whom better things might
be expected, are under its infatuating influence.

The Supreme Being has, for wise and benevolent
reasons, concealed from us the future incidents
of our lives. A humble reliance on his
power and goodness, accompanied with a cheerful
submission to the dispensations of his providence,
is what the Lord our God requireth of us.

I have heard my mamma relate an anecdote of
a particular friend of her's, who was imposed on
very seriously in this way.

A gentleman, whom I shall call Sylvander, was
very deeply in love with her; but his person,
and, much more, his disposition and manners,
were extremely difgusting to her. Averse to the
very idea of a connexion with him, she accordingly
refused his addresses. Yet he had art fussicient
to interest her friends in his behalf; who,
pitying his situation, endeavoured to soften the
heart of the obdurate fair. But in vain they
strove to conciliate her affections.

In defiance of all opposition, however, he incessantly
obtruded his visits, till she reluctantly
admitted them; and being somewhat coquettish,
she at times received him more benignly; which
flattered his hopes of ultimately accomplishing
his wishes. Finding his ardent suit of but little
avail, and perceiving that he made but small
progress towards gaining her favour, he had recourse
to art. Surprising her, one day, in close
confabulation with a fortune-teller, the idea immediately
struck him, that he might effect, through
this mean, what all his assiduity and solicitations
could never insure. He communicated his plan
to a female friend, who was equally the confident
of both parties. Directed by him, she converfed
with Sylvia on the subject; professed her
belief in the skill of these jugglers; and appeared
desirous of taking this measure to learn her fate.
Sylvia joined in her opinion and wishes; and
away they tripped together on the important errand.

Meanwhile, Sylvander had been to the
fellow who was to reveal their destinies; and,
bribing him to favour the design, left him, instructed
what answers to make to their interrogations.

They arrived, and proposed their business. The
mediums of information, a pack of cards, were
brought forth, and mystcriously arranged. Sylvia's
curiosity was on tip-toe. She listened with
profound attention to his oracular wisdom; and
believed him really inspired, when he told her,
that her former lover, for whom she had a great
regard, was gone to a foreign country. This she
knew to be true, and therefore gave him full credence,
when he added, that he would never live
to return; and when he proceeded still further
to observe, that another gentleman of great merit
now courted her; that she was not fond of his
addresses, but would soon see his worth and her
own error; give him her hand, and be happy.

In short, he so artfully blended the past and
present, which she knew, with the future which
Sylvander wished, and had therefore dictated,
that she was firmly persuaded he dealt with some
invisible power, and that fate had, indeed, predestined
her to the arms of Sylvander. Convinced
of this, she attended to his overtures more
placidly, contemplated his person and endowments
with less aversion, and endeavoured to
reconcile herself to the unavoidable event.

This she effected; and not long after, he obtained
her in marriage, and triumphed in the
success of his duplicity.

In process of time, her other lover returned.
Disappointment and despair presided in his
breast. He saw Sylvia, upbraided her with her
inconstancy, and declared himself utterly ruined.
Pity and returning love operated in her mind,
and rendered her completely wretched. She
most severely condemned her own folly, in liftening
to the dictates of a misguided curiosity;
and acknowledged herself justly punished, for
presuming to pry into the secret designs of
Heaven.

These strolling pretenders to foreknowledge
are peculiarly dangerous to the weak-minded and
credulous part of the community; and how it
happens that they are ever encouraged, is to me
inconceivable. Did they actually give the information
they promise, how much reason should
we have to avoid them! How many sources of
grief would be opened, by the anticipation of
future evils, of which, now, we have no apprehension!
and how often should we be deprived
of the consolatory hope of a speedy deliverance
from present sufferings!

With every sentiment of respect and affection,
I am most sincerely your's.