The Chinese Sensitive Leaf

This is an account of the remarkable sympathetic
power of the CHINESE SENSITIVE LEAF, invented by one of the
most celebrated operators, by the name of JAN PERTISTA CHASERETTO,
from China. It consists of two thin and small leaves, the largest for gen-
tlemen and the smallest for ladies. If you wish to know the temper of a
person, you lay this leaf in the palm of his left hand, and you will be de-
lighted to see it move of itself. If the person is of a sanguine temper. it
rolls itself quickly up and falls from the hand; if he is of a choleric tem-
per, it only rolls itself up and runs towards the arm; if he is of phlegma-
tic temper, it only rolls itself up a little and remains lying; but if he is
of a sanguine choleric temper, it goes sometimes quick and sometimes
slow. Thus for instance :—

A sanguine person has a ruddy complexion; his voice is moderately loud; he is skilful; has a disposition for music and poetry; in conversation he is free; in friendship, faithful and affectionate, open and generous. Therefore you meet with few sanguine persons that are rich; he loves jest and laughter, singing and dancing, and all kinds of pleasure in general. He is passionate, gay and active, but not constant, and forgets easily what he heard with delight. It is the same case both with men and women. In such person's hand the leaf rolls itself up and leaves the hand,

A choleric person is generally of a slender make; his veins are thick
and his voice strong. He is ambitious and proud; thinks himself wiser
than others; is courageous and brave, and does not easily alter his plans;
if he is contradicted, he gets angry, but repents it soon; he loves hunting
and a military life. Women of this description are energetic and indus-
trious, gay and fascinating, but inconstant. The leaf rolls itself up and
runs towards the arm.

A phlegmatic person has a pale complexion, a good understanding, and hears without mistrust what is told him : is of few words ; if once in love is constant, but otherwise cold and indifferent. There are few things he likes better than eating, drinking and sleeping. He is averse to all kinds of work. Sometimes he goes to church, because he may sleep soundly during the sermon, and when he goes to a play, he is continually gaping. The women of such a temper are rare. The leaf rolls itself half up and remains lying.

A melancholy person is fond of being alone. In company he is em-
barrassed and tires himself; if you stare at him, he blushes immediately;
and if three or four persons whisper together, he believes that he is the
subject of their discourse; he is circumspect, sensible and steady, but also
envious, suspicious and covetous; his dull humor renders him pusilanim-
ous. Splenetic women differ nothing from men. In persons of this
character, the leaf seldom moves.

The leaves, pleasing even at the first sight, are able to divert a whole
company. Their impartial judgment gives sufficient matter for jocose
entertainment. Such a leaf is of an everlasting use.

Care is to be taken when putting it in the envelope after it
has been used.

Howlett Brothers, Printers, 136 Fulton St., Brooklyn.