The Floral Fortune-teller

by Miss S. C. Edgarton

THE

FLORAL

FORTUNE-TELLER;

A GAME

FOR THE SEASON OF FLOWERS.

BY

MISS S. C. EDGARTON.

BOSTON:

PUBLISHED BY A. TOMPKINS.

1855.

 

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Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1846, by

ABEL TOMPKINS,

In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

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Stereotyped by

GEORGE A. CURTIS;

NEW ENGLAND TYPE AND STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY.

 

 

PREFACE.

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The custom of fortune-telling is nearly as old as time. Almost everything has been turned into an oracle. Even the dregs of a teacup have been supposed to possess the “gift of prophecy.” Why, then, should not flowers, that are forever rising up, clothed with the mantles of prophets, and speaking in a language that has become as familiar as household words—why should not these little “floral apostles” be consulted respecting the mysteries of our earthly destiny?

At all events, they are pure and beautiful playthings for the fancy; and if any diversion on earth be innocent, it must be one whose instruments are poetry and flowers.

In selecting our oracles, we have drawn from the purest wells of English poetry; for who like Shakspeare can describe character, or like Wordsworth, Coleridge and Tennyson, picture a scene? We have also turned over the pages of the great German dramatists, and here and there culled from them a word of wisdom, or of prophecy. Our aim has been to condense into our brief oracles as much point, wit and variety, as the interest of the game will permit.

How well we have succeeded in our attempt to please, will be best determined by the future success of this little book. God speed it on a harmless way!

 

 

KEY TO THE FORTUNE-TELLER.

The following five questions are answered, respecting the character and future fortunes of an individual.

1. What is my character?

2. What is, or will be, the state or quality of my love?

3. What is, or will be, my worldly fortune?

4. What is the scene in which most of my life will be spent?

5. What is the character of my future companion?

The person consulting our little Fortune-Teller, must select a bouquet of five different colored flowers, of whatever kind he chooses. The White shall describe to him his character; the Blue, the state or quality of his love; the Purple, his worldly fortune; the Yellow, the scene in which his life shall be chiefly passed; and the Red, the character of his future wife.

For example; if a gentleman bring a white Lily, a blue Violet, a Foxglove, a Marigold and a red Rose, he will first turn to the catalogue of White flowers, where, under the head of Lily, he will find this description of his character:

“Of a free and open nature,
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
And will as tenderly be led by the nose
As asses are.”

Shakspeare.

The Violet, found in the catalogue of Blue flowers, will unfold the state of his “love matters” as follows:

“You are now sailed into the north of my lady’s opinion; where you will hang like an icicle on a Dutchman’s heard,—unless you do redeem it by some laudable attempt.”

Shakspeare.

The Foxglove will thus declare his worldly condition:

“Poor, but content, is rich, and rich enough.”

Shakspeare.

To learn the scene of his future abode he will consult the Marigold.

“A cottage on a plot of ground,
With large prospect north and south.”

Wordsworth.

The Rose will reveal to him the character of his wife:

“A woman in her freshest age,
Of wondrous beauty and of bounty rare,
Full of great love.”

Spenser.

By different combinations of flowers, a great variety of fates may be unfolded. Nor is the purpose of the game wholly confined to the reading of fortunes. Any gentleman wishing to compliment a lady, may do it in a very delicate and poetical manner, by selecting a bouquet of flowers that shall express the good fortune he wishes her.

The first paragraph upon each page is for the Lady, the second for the Gentleman.

Chapters (not listed in original)

White Flowers

Describing your Character.

Blue Flowers

Describing the State or Quality of your Affections.

Purple Flowers

Describing your Worldly Fortune.

Yellow Flowers

Describing the Scene of your Future Life.

Red Flowers

Describing the Character of your Future Companion.

Index