Washington sentinel., 1853-11-06
Yofal ann 8srsonal.


gulilbiiiy of the credulous (afler Witnessing the
successes ofnumerous charlatans ofnative growth)
foreigners, living by their wits, have, within few
years past, turned their attention 10 the ample
fields Of America, and are now reaping golden
harvests by their mere extrayagant pretensions to
foretell the destiny Of every one who has little
of this worlds gear with which 10 .'cross their
palms." II
Sir Walter Scott in the g Antiquary," speaks OF
Lowell fancyng that he had had dream of SUI
pernatural description, when Jonathan Odbuck
interprets the occurrence to him in the simplest
manner, remarking, at the same time, II is thus
that we silly mortals deceive ourselves, and look
out of doors for motives which originate in our
TO the conclusions which Lowell drew from his
supposed nocturnal revelation; :" As for the wax
ing wisdom which seized on so frivolous a cir
cumstance as an apology for perseyering in some
course which il could find no better reason 10 JUS
tfy il is exactly one Of those juggling tricks which
the sagest Of us play of now and then 10 crafty
our inclination al the expense of our understand
ing.n sa
\ This applies not merely in the case Of common
sleep and dreaming, but also to phenomena of all
kinds supposed to be connected with extra-natu-
raj or extra-sensuous agency. rsa
But as 10 the King of Hnmbugs He throws nli
the minor fortune-telling pretenders into the dark
est hooks OF obscurity He even publishes and
circulates gratuitousy an g Astronomical Almanac
for 1853" The writer hereof not only had copy
handed TO him in the street, but one thrown into
his dwelling-house and we presume, Judging
from the bulk Of the documents inthe arms of the
distributors, that our citizens generally have been
as well supplied as we with this printed tissue Of
gross palpable, and unconscionable falsehoods,
based upon the principle, the greater the lie the
greater the belief
The astrologer, Of whom we are speaking, opens
with the assertion that he !" is the seventh son OF
seventh son = hence his success in his profess
sion-not only foretelng, but controlling future
events by consultation with the stars, and by
conjurations and mighty magic" Every one,
he says, should secure a nativity" as this is of
the utmost Importance" II Gteaches one to
avoid misfortune, gives the proper time to under
take journeys, contract marriage, enter into bnsi-
ness, etc" A nativity ais worth from one to ten
thousand dollars, according TO the good or bad for
tune ofthc applicant" These nativities, however,
are furnished for from one dollar to fve "All
essential particulars will be stated that mis-
take or misunderstanding can possibly occur"
This hnmbug, we might as well state in pass
ing, has, after "great trouble and expense" be-
come the proprietor of the truly wonderful optical
instrument the phantasmagoria, or mirror Of fate,
which reveals the /" likeness of intended husbands
and wives, and absent friends y
The blessing Of the age" is the power Of con-
jurations, combined with geomancy, for the cur
ing Of Diseases Dyspepsia, fits, weak eyes. can
GERS, deafness, ulcers, consumption, neuralgia,
kings evil, st. vtuss dance, rheumatism in fact,
every i'll 10 which flesh is heir, has been removed
by this unfailing remedial agent! II has also been
the means Of recovering stolen properly, putting
greenhorns on the path 10 fortune, curing people
of telling lies, blessing innumerable Sarahs with
household crying-and-laughing comforts provok-
ing ladies with husbands, causing their former ad
mirers TO return to their (" first love" and enter
into the holy bonds Of matrimouy; re-establishing
peace between husband and vile; reforming
drunkards; saving young ladies' from suicide /;
collecting debts Of long standing; securing prizes
in lotteries in fact, the geomancy and conjura-
tions, separate or together, have accomplished
wonders
The King Of the Humbugs" lives in distant
city but he says he can prescribe Just as well by
letter as in person--so the fee comes TO him.
more reckless disregard Of truth was never
before evidenced in publication similar to the
Ha astrological almanac None but the ruler Of
the universe possesses the power which this for
eign adventurer claims. But every sensible per-
son will regard il in the light Of q base effort to
mislead the ignorant, and to abstract money from
the pockets ofthe creduous and superstitious; OF
whom, in the language Of truthful book, "many
remain unto this day.
A Little Incident occurred several days ago
not important TO be sure, but yet pleasant
enough to be mentioned. A gentleman, while
conversing with friend nhis Office, was complain
ing that he had several notes to meet, and could
not imagine where the money was TO be procured
for that purpose, he having been disappointed in
his calculations. Just about this time small
girl came near the door. She was poorly clad, and
carried in her tattered apron few chips, and was
on her way to the place which she dgnifed with
the name Of "home" She was bare foot and her
ankles were as red as beets. The friend remarked
else Of your charity. Buy her pair of shoes, and
before night you'll get money enought to pay your
notes." The gentleman, not hesitating, acom-
panied the girl TO shoe-store, and purchased her
a good pair ofshoes. She thanked her benefactor,
and then skipped away, with light heart, rejoic-
ing while the benevolent gentleman participated
largely in the Joy which his generosity had pro-
duced on The object his sympathy.
Before the lapse Of an hour, as his friend had
predicted, several persons called 10 pay the gentle
man money; and he received not only sufficient
amount to meet his obligations, but had more than
enough remaining 10 buy pair Of boots for him
self. IS ;s5,sSS IS
Accident.--On Friday night, Mr. Francis Jones,
one Of the Georgetown watchmen, was seriously
injured. Il appears that at eleven o'clock the cap
tain aroused his subordnates for duty, but Jones,
not being sufficiently awake, mistook his way out,
and stepping off an unguarded end the balcony,