Publisher's Synopsis
How to Tell Fortunes By Cards. In telling Fortunes by Cards-as in all games in which they are employed-the Ace ranks highest in value. Then comes the King, followed by the Queen, Knave, Ten, Nine, Eight, and Seven; these being generally the only cards used. The order, and comparative value of the different suits, is as follows: -First on the list stand "Clubs," as they mostly portend happiness; and-no matter how numerous, or how accompanied-are rarely or never of bad augury. Next come "Hearts," which usually signify joy, liberality, or good temper; "Diamonds," on the contrary, denote delay, quarrels, and annoyance; and "Spades"-the worst suit of all-grief, sickness, and loss of money. We are of course speaking generally, as, in many cases, the position of cards entirely changes their signification; their individual and relative meaning being often widely different. Thus, for example, the King of Hearts, the Nine of Hearts, and the Nine of Clubs, respectively signify, a liberal man, joy, and success in love, but change their position, by placing the King between the two nines, and you would read that a man, then rich and happy, would be ere long consigned to a prison! Signification of the Cards The individual meaning attached to the thirty-two cards employed is as follows: - The Eight Clubs Ace of Clubs.-Signifies joy, money, or good news; if reversed, the joy will be of brief duration. King of Clubs.-A frank, liberal man, fond of serving his friends; if reversed, he will meet with a disappointment. Queen of Clubs.-An affectionate woman, but quick-tempered and touchy; if reversed, jealous and malicious. Knave of Clubs.-A clever and enterprising young man; reversed, a harmless flirt and flatterer. Ten of Clubs.-Fortune, success, or grandeur; reversed, want of success in some small matter. Nine of Clubs.-Unexpected gain, or a legacy; reversed, some trifling present. Eight of Clubs.-A dark person's affections, which, if returned, will be the cause of great prosperity; reversed, those of a fool, and attendant unhappiness, if reciprocated. Seven of Clubs.-A small sum of money, or unexpectedly recovered debt; reversed, a yet smaller amount. The Eight Hearts Ace of Hearts.-A love-letter, or some pleasant news; reversed, a friend's visit. King of Hearts.-A fair, liberal man; reversed, will meet with disappointment. Queen of Hearts.-A mild, amiable woman; reversed, has been crossed in love. Knave of Hearts.-A gay young bachelor, who dreams only of pleasure; reversed, a discontented military man. Ten of Hearts.-Happiness, triumph; if reversed, some slight anxiety. Nine of Hearts.-Joy, satisfaction, success; reversed, a passing chagrin. Eight of Hearts.-A fair person's affections; reversed, indifference on his or her part. Seven of Hearts.-Pleasant thoughts, tranquillity; reversed, ennui, weariness. The Eight Diamonds Ace of Diamonds.-A letter, soon to be received; and, if the card be reversed, containing bad news. King of Diamonds.-A fair man-generally in the army-but both cunning and dangerous; if reversed, a threatened danger, caused by machinations on his part. Queen of Diamonds.-An ill-bred, scandal-loving woman; if reversed, she is to be greatly feared. Knave of Diamonds.-A tale-bearing servant, or unfaithful friend; if reversed, will be the cause of mischief. Ten of Diamonds.-Journey, or change of residence; if reversed, it will not prove fortunate. Nine of Diamonds.-Annoyance, delay; if reversed, either a family or a love quarrel. Eight of Diamonds.-Love-making; if reversed, unsuccessful. Seven of Diamonds.-Satire, mockery; reversed, a foolish scandal. N. B.-In order to know whether the Ace, Ten, Nine, Eight and Seven of Diamonds are reversed, it is better to make a small pencil-mark on each, to show which is the top of the card.
