Page:Mother Hubbard's fortune teller.pdf/4

4 On the top, or in the middle of the cup, promises to the consulting party the  which he desires over his enemy: but he  not obtain it so easily if the serpent be in  thick or cloudy part. By the letter which appears near the emblem, the  may easily be guessed, as it marks the initial  his name.

The Letter.—By letters we communicate our friends either pleasant or unpleasant  such is the case here. If this emblem is in clear part, it denotes the speedy arrival of  news; surrounded with dots, it  the arrival of a considerable remittance  money; but hemmed in by clouds, it is  the contrary, and forbodes some  tidings. If it be in the elearclear [sic], and by a heart, lovers may expect a letter,  secures to the party the possession of the  object; but in the thick it denotes a refusal.

The Coffin, the emblem of death, the same thing here, or long illness if  be in the thick. In the clear, it denotes life; in the thick, at the the top of the cup,  signifies a considerable estate left to the  by some rich relation: in the same manner,  the bottom, it shows that the deceased is not  nearly related to the consulting party.

The Star denotes happiness if in the and at the top of the cup; clouded, or in  thick, it signifies long life, though exposed  various troubles; if dots are about it, it  great fortune, honours, &c. Several stars so many good and happy children; but  by dots, show that your children  cause you grief and vexation.