Page:True fortune teller, or, Universal book of fate (3).pdf/6

 Though this famous old woman had never been taught to write, yet by long practice she had formed to herself a kind of hieroglyphical characters, in which she decyphered her observations, knowledge, and remarks; those I found concealed within the thatch of her cave: but as they were so unintelligible, I thought it would be impossible to makomake [sic] head or tale of such a heap of monsters, and other figures as were attempted to be drawn; but as I am rather of a studious turn, I thought as I had made it my business formerly to transcribe the Egyptian hieroglyphics, which, when they were as unintelligible to me as these, I might by perseverance get at the depth of this valuable manuscript, or at least it would serve to deposit in the British Museum, as the remains of a woman who was so famous, and whose name was so well known among mankind.

I was therefore immediately determined on renewing my labours with redoubled ardour and unwearied application; and at length, as perseverance and resolution will conquer difficulties, I found it, and the whole mystery was opened unto me. Think of my joy: not the miser who has found a treasure he supposed lost; not a maiden who finds her lover returned after a long voyage, whom she thought perished in the waves, but finds restored to her arms with love and fidelity; not—but a truce with metaphors—it is enough to tell the reader that I was at length enabled to read this valuable work, and found by experience, that the maxims and remarks, her observations and judgement, have been