The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-06-15
srarIslah 30. ,-TellsEs.


superintend the legal proceedings insti-,
tuted against fortune-teller. The in
quiry furnished him with some curious
information concerning the general prjn-
ciples on which the art 10 founded: he
discovered that upon the whole it was
merely calculation of probabilities,
which. if managed adroitly, might be-
come susceptible of successful applioa-
tion; and he thought it would be an ex-
cellent thing to turn conjuror himself.
He began by dividing the workable mat
ter-nnmely, public creduhty-into its
two sexes, its four ages, into married
nnd unmarried, masters and servants,
clergy and laity, mobiles and commoners,
NC. He then set the general acci-
dents common to all classes, the special
accidents more common in each, and,
finally, the more rare and individual ac-
cidents He thus acquired q mass of
about 1000 of the accidents of human
life which are constantly occurring-it
must he confessed, tolerably good
foundation to tell fortunes on.
While he was thus studying the theory
of the art, he devoted himself to the
practice of branch no less Important;
he observed physiognomy, fixed names
Ill his recollection, introduced himself
into parties of every descr iption, endea-
vored to dive into the secrets of families,
and assumed every possible disguise;
finally, when he found himself sufficient
ly rich i'll materials and powerful in
means, he opened necromancy office.
His success was prodigious; his door was
besieged by females, nobemen, trades
men, ecclcsiastics, and even high pre-
l"tes, eagerly thronged 10 consult him;
and with the exception of some few mis-
chances, our conjuror had no cause to
regret the resignation of his post in the
police.
Fortune-telling appears to have been
long IL lucrative profession in Paris. A
correspondent gives the following anec-
dote and description of n person who
was most successful in carrying on the
trade in the French metropolis:
ga little more than sixty years since, n
fortune-teller in Paris was reused from
his bed at the dead of night by loud
knocking Mt his door. On opening it.
he perceived standing before him o man
mufiied up In an, ample cloak, with
large hat souched over his face.
What do you want?' said the fortune
teller, somewhat alarmed.
The stranger answered sternly, If you
are what you profess to be, you can tell
me that.
1 can tell nothing without my cards.
replied the other.
The stranger walked in, and the for
tune-teller, having shuf1led his cards and
laid them out, after pause, observed,
with n tone of Difference:
i perceive 1 am in the presence of m
lllustrious person.
You are right, said the stranger; and
now tell me what it is I wish to know?'
The fortune-teller, again consulting his
cards, answered:
You wish to know whether certain
lady will have son or daughter.'
Right again, said the stranger.
After another pause, the fortune teller
pronounced that the lady would have n
son.
On which the stranger replied, If that
prove true, you shall receive fifty pieces
of gold; If false, good cudgelling'
"a few weeks after, about the same
hour and in the same manner, the
stranger re-appeared. and before he could
speak, The teller exclaimed:
You find was right
L do, said the stranger; 'and I am
come to keep my promise
So saying, he produced purse of fifty
louis, and departed"
The strangers mode of proceeding
seems to have been designed to put the
fortune-teller's skill to the severest test.
The circumstances of his coming alone,
and at such an hour, makes it probable
he had not communicated his intention
to any one; while his carefulness in con-
cealing his person and lace, and his ex-
treme caution to afford no clue to the dis
covery of himself or his object by con-
versation, were admirably calculated to
render imposition impossible. The his
tory of the case is this. I heard it about
thirty years since from gentleman in
Paris, who learned it from Volney, the
celebrated traveller in the East Voney
had it from the fortune-teller himself,
who applied to him for some Syriac ex-
pressions. On being asked for what
purpose he wanted them, he confessed
his trade; and Volney, finding him re-
markably shrewd person. inquired of him
the story of his life.
''He said that when he was young he
had great turn for expense, very
slender means, and an inveterate repug-
nance to anything like drudgery. After
long puzzling himself to discover some
pon1a nf 1ifa hu l..