# Napoleon's book of fate

NAPOLEON'S
BOOK OF FATE;
TO WHICH ARE ADDED
A FEW PASSAGES
FROM THE
DULL MAN'S COMPANION.
EDINBURGH:
PRINTED & PUBLISHED BY J. BRYDONE,
SOUTH HANOVER STREET.
METHOD OF CONSULTING THE ORACULUM
On the following page.
Let the person who is to consult the Oracle think on any number, from 1 to 16, and then fix on one of the questions in the Table.
TO OBTAIN THE ANSWER,
Refer to the Oraculum, at the top of which you will find a row of figures ; guide your eye down the column at the top of which you find the number thought on, till you come to the letter on a line with the question you are trying ; then refer to the page of the book which contains that letter, and on a line with the figure which is the same as your own you will find the answer required,
The following are unlucky days, on which nono of the questions should be tried, or any enterprise undertaken:
| Jan.1,2,4,6,10,20,22. February 6, 17, 28. March 24, 26. April 10, 27, 28. May 7, 8. June 27. | July 17, 21. August 20, 22. September 5, 30. October 6. November 3, 29. December 6, 10, 15. |
* It is not proper to try a question twice in one day.
| | THE ORACULUM. | THE ORACULUM. | THE ORACULUM. | THE ORACULUM. | THE ORACULUM. | THE ORACULUM. | THE ORACULUM. | THE ORACULUM. | THE ORACULUM. | THE ORACULUM. | THE ORACULUM. | THE ORACULUM. | THE ORACULUM. | THE ORACULUM. | THE ORACULUM. | THE ORACULUM. |
| QUESTIONS. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| Shall I obtain my wish? | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q |
| Shall I have success in my undertakings? | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | Ɐ |
| Shall I gain or lose in my cause? | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | A | B |
| Shall I have to live in foreign parts? | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | A | B | C |
| Will the Stranger return from abroad? | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | A | B | C | D |
| Shall I recover my property stolen? | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | A | B | C | D | E |
| Will by friend be true in his dealings? | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | A | B | C | D | E | F |
| Shall I have to travel? | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
| Does the person love and regard me? | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H |
| Will the marriage be prosperous? | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I |
| What sort of a wife or husband shall I have? | L | M | N | O | P | Q | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K |
| Will she have a son or a daughter? | M | N | O | P | Q | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | L |
| Will the Patient recover from his illness? | N | O | P | Q | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M |
| Will the Prisoner be released? | O | P | Q | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N |
| Shall I be lucky or unlucky this day? | P | Q | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O |
| What does my dream signify? | Q | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P |
​1 What you wish for, you will shortly obtain.
2 Signifies trouble and sorrow.
3 Be very cautious what you do THIS day, lest trouble befal you.
4 The prisoner dies, and is regretted by his friends.
5 Life will be spared this time to prepare for death.
6 A very handsome daughter, but a painful one.
7 You will have a virtuous and religious woman or man for your wife or husband.
8 If you marry this person, you will have enemies where you little expect.
9 You had better decline THIS love, for it is neither constant nor true.
10 decline your travels, for they will not be to your advantage.
11 There is a true and sincere friendship between you both.
12 You will not recover the stolen property.
13 The stranger will, with joy, soon return.
14 You will not remove from where you are at present.
15 The Lord will support you in a good cause.
16 You are not lucky—pray to God that he may help you.
​1 The luck that is ordained for you will be coveted by others.
2 Whatever your desires are, for the present decline them.
3 Signifies a favour or kindness from some person.
4 There are enemies, who would defraud, and render you unhappy.
5 With great difficulty he will obtain pardon or release again.
6 The patient should be prepared to leave this world.
7 She will have a son, who will be learned and wise.
8 A rich partner is ordained for you.
9 By this marriage, you will have great luck and prosperity.
10 this love comes from an upright and sincere heart.
11 God will surely travel with you, and bless you.
12 Beware of friends who are false and deceitful.
13 You will recover your property—unexpectedly.
14 Love prevents his return home at present.
15 Your stay is not here; be therefore prepared for a change.
16 You will have no gain; therefore, be wise and careful.
​1 With the blessing of God, you will have great gain.
2 Very unlucky indeed—pray to God for his assistance.
3 If your desires are not extravagant, they will be granted.
4 Signifies peace and plenty between friends.
5 Be well prepared this day, or you may meet with trouble.
6 The prisoner will find it difficult to obtain his pardon or release.
7 The patient will yet enjoy health and prosperity.
8 She will have a daughter, and will require attention.
9 The person has not a great fortune, but is in middling circumstances.
10 Decline this marriage, or else you may be sorry.
11 Decline a courtship which may be your destruction.
12 Your travels are in vain: you had better stay at home.
13 You may depend on a true and sincere friendship.
14 You must not expect to regain that which you have lost.
15 sickness prevents the traveller from seeing you.
16 It will be your fate to stay where you now are.
​1 You will obtain a great fortune in another country.
2 By venturing freely, you will certainly gain doubly.
3 God will change your misfortune into success and happiness.
4 Alter your intentions, or else you may meet poverty and distress.
5 Signifies that you have many impediments in the accomplishment of your pursuits.
6 Whatever may possess your inclinations this day, abandon them.
7 The prisoner will get free again this time.
8 The patient's illness will be lingering and doubtful.
9 She will have a dutiful and handsome son.
10 The person will be low in circumstances, but honest-hearted.
11 A marriage which will add to your welfare and prosperity.
12 You love a person who does not speak well of you.
13 Your travels will be prosperous, if guided by prudence.
14 He means not what he says, for his heart is false.
15 With some trouble and expense, you may regain your property.
16 You must not expect to see the stranger again
​1 The stranger will not return so soon as you expect.
2 Remain among your friends, and you will do well.
3 You will hereafter gain what you seek.
4 You have no luck—pray to God, and strive honestly.
5 You will obtain your wishes by means of a friend.
6 Signifies that you have enemies, who will endeavour to ruin and make you unhappy.
7 beware—an enemy is endeavouring to bring you to strife and misfortune.
8 The prisoner's sorrow and anxiety are great, and his release uncertain.
9 The patient will soon recover—there is no danger.
10 She will have a daughter, who will be honoured and respected.
11 Your partner will be fond of liquor, and will debase himself thereby.
12 This marriage will bring you to poverty; be, therefore, discreet.
13 Their love is false to you, and true to others.
14 decline your travels for the present, for they will be dangerous.
15 this person is serious and true, and deserves to be respected.
16 You will not recover the property you have lost.
​1 By persevering, you will recover your property again.
2 It is out of the stranger's power to return.
3 You will gain, and be successful in foreign parts.
4 A great fortune is ordained for you; wait patiently.
5 There is great hindrance to your success at present.
6 Your wishes are in vain at present.
7 Signifies there are sorrow and danger before you.
8 This day is unlucky; therefore, alter your intention.
9 The prisoner will be restored to liberty and freedom.
10 The patient's recovery is doubtful.
11 She will have a very fine boy.
12 A worthy person, and a fine fortune.
13 Your intentions would destroy your rest and peace.
14 This love is true and constant; forsake it not.
15 Proceed on your travels or journey, and you will not have cause to repent it.
16 If you trust this friend, you may have cause for sorrow
​1 This friend exeeeds all others in every respect.
2 You must bear your loss with fortitude.
3 The stranger will return unexpectedly.
4 Remain at home among your friends, and you will escape misfortunes.
5 You will meet no gain in your pursuits.
6 Heaven will bestow its blessings on you.
7 No.
8 Signifies that you will shortly be out of the power of your enemies.
9 Ill-luck awaits you,—it will be difficult for you to eseape it.
10 The prisoner will be released by death-only.
11 By the blessing of God, the patient {{sc|will~} recover.
12 A daughter, but of a very sickly constitution.
13 You will get an honest, young, and handsome partner.
14 Decline this marriage, else it may be to your sorrow.
15 Avoid this love.
16 Prepare for a short journcy; you will be recalled by an nnexpeeted event.
​1 Commence your travels, and they will go on as you could wish.
2 Your pretended friend hates you secretly.
3 Your hopes to recover your property are vain.
4 A certain affair prevents the stranger's return immediately.
5 Your fortune you will find in abundance abroad.
6 Decline the pursuit, and you will do well.
7 Your expectations are vain-you will not succeed.
8 You will obtain what you wish for.
9 Signifies that on this day your fortune will change for the better.
10 Cheer up your spirits, your luck is at hand.
11 After long imprisonment, he will be released.
12 The patient will be relieved from sickness.
13 She will have a healthy son.
14 You will be married to your equal in a short time.
15 If you wish to be happy, do not marry this person.
16 This love is from the heart, and will continue until death.
​1 The love is great, but will cause great jealousy.
2 It will be in vain for you to travel.
3 Your friend will be as sincere as you could wish him to be.
4 You will recover the stolen property through a cunning person.
5 The traveller will soon return with joy.
6 You will not be prosperous or fortunate in foreign parts.
7 Place your trust in God, who is the disposer of happiness.
8 Your fortune will shortly be changed into misfortune.
9 You will succeed as you desire.
10 Signifies that the misfortune which threatens will be prevented.
11 Beware of your enemies, who seek to do you harm.
12 After a short time, your anxiety for the prisoner will cease.
13 God will give the patient health and strength again.
14 She will have a very fine daughter.
15 You will marry a person with whom you will have little comfort.
16 The marriage will not answer your expectations.
​1 After much misfortune, you will be comfortable and happy.
2 A sincere love from an upright heart.
3 You will be prosperous in your journey.
4 Do not rely on the friendship of this person.
5 The property is lost for ever; but the thief will be punished.
6 The traveller will be absent some considerable time.
7 You will meet luck and happiness in a of foreign country.
8 You will not have any success for the present.
9 You will succeed in your undertakings.
10 Change your intentions, and you will do way well.
11 Signifies that there are rogues at hand.
12 Be reconciled; your circumstances will shortly mend.
13 The prisoner will be released.
14 The patient will depart this life.
15 She will have a son.
16 It will be difficult for you to get a partner.
​1 You will get a very handsome person for your partner.
2 Various misfortunes will attend this marriage.
3 This love is whimsical and changeable.
4 You will be unlucky in your travels.
5 This person's love is just and true. You may rely on it.
6 You will lose, but the thief will suffer most.
7 The stranger will soon return with plenty.
8 If you remain at home, you will have success.
9 Your gain will be trivial.
10 You will meet sorrow and trouble.
11 You will succeed according to your wishes.
12 Signifies that you will get money.
13 In spite of enemies, you will do well.
14 The prisoner will pass many days in confinement.
15 The patient will recover.
16 She will have a daughter.
​1 She will have a son, who will gain wealth and honour.
2 You will get a partner with great undertakings and much money.
3 The marriage will be prosperous.
4 She, or he, wishes to be yours this moment.
5 Your journey will prove to your advantage.
6 Place no great trust in that person.
7 You will find your property at a certain time.
8 The traveller's return is rendered doubtful by his conduct.
9 You will succeed as you desire in foreign parts.
10 Expect no gain; it will be in vain.
11 You will have more luck than you expect.
12 Whatever your desires are, you will speedily obtain them.
13 Signifies you will be asked to a wedding.
14 You will have no occasion to complain of ill-luck.
15 Some one will pity and release the prisoner.
16 The patient's recovery is unlikely.
​1 The patient will recover, but his days are short.
2 She will have a daughter.
3 You will marry into a very respectable family.
4 By this marriage, you will gain nothing.
5 Await the time, and you will find the love great.
6 Venture not from home.
7 This person is a sincere friend.
8 You will never recover the theft.
9 The stranger will return, but not quickly.
10 When abroad, keep from evil women, or they will do you harm.
11 You will soon gain what you little expect.
12 You will have great success.
13 Rejoice ever at that which is ordained for you.
14 Signifies that sorrow will depart and joy will return.
15 Your luck is in blossom; it will soon be at hand.
16 death may end the imprisonment.
​1 The prisoner will be released with joy.
2 The patient's recovery is doubtful.
3 She will have a son, who will live to a great age.
4 You will get a virtuous partner.
5 Delay not this marriage—you will meet much happiness.
6 None loves you better in this world.
7 You may proceed with confidence.
8 Not a friend, but a secret enemy.
9 You will soon recover what is stolen.
10 The stranger will not return again.
11 A foreign woman will greatly enhance your fortune.
12 You will be cheated out of your gain.
13 Your misfortunes will vanish, and you will be happy.
14 Your hope is in vain-fortune shuns you at present.
15 That you will soon hear agreeable news.
16 There are misfortunes lurking about you.
​1 This day brings you an inerease of happiness.
2 The prisoner will quit the power of his enemies.
3 The patient will recover and live long.
4 She will have two daughters.
5 A rich young person will be your partner.
6 Hasten your marriage,—it will bring you much happiness.
7 The person loves you sincerely.
8 You will not prosper from home.
9 This friend is more valuable than gold.
10 You will never receive your goods.
11 He is dangerously ill, and cannot yet return.
12 Depend upon your own industry, and remain at home.
13 Be joyful, for future prosperity is ordained for you.
14 Depend not too much on your good luck.
15 What you wish will be granted to you.
16 That you should be very careful this day, lest any accident befal you.
​1 Signifies much {sc|joy}} and happiness between friends.
2 This day is not very lucky, but rather the reverse.
3 He will yet come to honour, although he now suffers.
4 Recovery is doubtful; therefore, be prepared for the worst.
5 She will have a son, who will prove forward.
6 A rich partner, but a bad temper.
7 By wedding this person, you insure your happiness.
8 The person has great Love for you, but wishes to conceal it.
9 You may proceed on your journey without fear.
10 Trust him not; he is inconstant and deceitful.
11 In a very singular manner you will recover your property.
12 The stranger will return very soon.
13 You will dwell abroad in comfort and happiness.
14 If you deal fairly, you WILL surely prosper.
15 You will yet live in splendour and plenty.
16 Make yourself contented with your present fortune.
A FEW PASSAGES
FROM
THE DULL MAN'S COMPANION.
Next to Nothing.— 'What's a o'clock, Pat?' inquired a traveller. "Next to nothing,' answered the Milesian, with great confidence. 'What do you mean?' asked the traveller. 'Not quite one,' replied Pat, 'and follows in coorse that what isn't one is next to nothing.'
A Manikin's Retort.—A very little and a very tall gentleman being one day engaged in an argument, the tall one lost his temper, and threatened to put his opponent into his pocket. ' In that case you would have more sense in your pocket than ever you had in your head,' was the little gentleman's sarcastic reply.
Ingenious Substitution.—A compositor on the Derby Mercury acquired the name of Big Murphy during his life, from a blunder he committed, which escaped correction. Being incorrigibly addicted, where he did not well know the meaning of a hard word, to substitute one which he did know, that came nearest it in appearance— in composing an article which named a projected meeting of the great potentates of the continent, he announced 'an assemblage of all the Great Potatoes of Europe!'
Not a Bad One.—I am afraid,' said a lady to her husband, 'that I am going to have a stiff neck'.—'Not at all improbable, my dear,' replied her spouse; 'I have seen strong symptoms of it ever since we were married.'
The Peril of Praise.—' What an admirable ​discourse you have given us!' said a delighted hearer once to the Rev. Rowland Hill, as he was coming out of the vestry after sermon: 'allow me to say, Sir—'O, say nothing on that subject,' replied the preacher, gravely:'I need no man to tell me that I preached a good sermon; the devil told me so already before I left the pulpit.' Here was, wit, and wisdom, and sanctity, all in one. There is nothing more dangerous for frail mortality than praise.
Rewarding Honesty. —A coloured servant sweeping out a bachelor's room found a sixpence on the carpet, which he carried to the owner. 'You may keep it for your honesty,' said he. A short time after, he missed his gold pencil-case, and inquired of his servant he had seen it. 'Yes, Sir,' was the reply. 'And what did you do with it?' 'Kept it for my honesty, Sir!' The old bachelor disappeared.
A Cute Lad.—A boy being rather fond of his bed, his father entered his room one morning, and told him the sun had been up these three hours. 'And so should I,' said the boy 'if I had as far to go as he has.'
A Smart Reply.—At a banquet; when solving, enigmas was one of the diversions, Alexander said to his courtiers, 'What is that which did not come last year, has not come this year and will not come next year?', A distressed officer starting up, said, "It must certainly be our arrears of pay.' The king was so diverted that he commanded him to be paid up, and also increased his salary.
The Pleasures of anticipation.—Martha, my dear,' said a loving husband to his spouse, who was several years his junior, 'what do you say to moving to the far West?' 'Oh, I am ​delighted with the idea. You recollect when Mr Morgan moved out there he was as poor as we are, and he died in three years, leaving his widow worth a hundred thousand dollars.
Filing a Bill.—A solicitor, who was remarkable for the length and sharpness of his nose, once told a lady that if she did not immediately settle an affair in dispute, he would file a bill against her. 'Indeed, Sir,' said the lady, 'there is no necessity for you to file your bill,—it is sharp enough already.'
Connubial Compliment.—'No, Catherine,' said Patrick to his wife, 'you never catch a lie coming out of my mouth.' 'You may well say that,' replied Kate; 'they fly out so fast that nobody can catch 'em.'
A Bull.—A Munster man was telling his companions one day of the plenty of wild fowl in his country. 'Arrah', says he, 'but partridges are so numerous there, that a blind man might kill a whole covey at a shot, if he could but see them rise.'
A Crust for a Coward.—On an evening before a battle, an officer came to the Field Marshall de Toiras, and asked permission to visit his father, who, he said, was at the point of death; and, therefore, he wished to pay him his last duties. 'Go,' replied the General, who clearly perceived the motive of his request. 'Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land!'
Repartee.—A counsel at the Old Bailey, in cross-examining a witness, asked him, among other questions, 'Where he was on a particular day?' to which he replied, 'he was in company with two friends.' 'Friends !' exclaimed the counsel, 'two thieves I suppose you mean'
​'They may be so,' replied the witness, for they were both lawyers!'
The Witty Doctor.—Come, Doctor, said a noted scoffer to the Evangelical minister of the Tolbooth Church, 'I can give you a treat-a bottle of claret forty years old.' The Doctor was in raptures, and eagerly accepted the invitation, when; to his dismay, the accepted quart proved only to be a pint bottle. 'Waes me,' said he, taking it up in his hand, 'but it's unco wee of its age!'
A Genuine Irish Bull.—The porter of a Dublin grocer was brought up by his master on a charge of stealing chocolate, which he could not deny. Upon being asked to whom he sold it, the pride of Patrick was greatly wounded. 'To whom did I sell it!' says Pat; 'why does he think I took it to sell?' 'Then, Sir,' said the magistrate, 'what did you do with it?' 'Do with it!' rejoined the culprit, extremely offended with his worship for persisting in his insulting suspicions; 'since you must know,' said he, 'we made tea of it!'
A Visible Sign.—At a Sunday school examination a few days ago, a little girl being asked by her catechiser, 'What is the outward visible sign or form in baptism?' innocently replied, 'Please, Sir, the baby.'
St Giles' Justice.—'What are you beating that boy for?' said a gentleman to a young denizen of the rookery in St Giles': 'you are too big for him. What hase he done?' 'Vy, he dropped his knife: I picked it up; and now he wants me to give it him back again; and 'Cos I von't, he's sarcy.'
James Brydone, Printer, 17 South Hanover Street, Edinburgh.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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