How to tell fortunes

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.