EXACT RULES,
To know this, which hath been held for a great secret, put their Christian and Sirnames together, and consider what numbers the letters make that stand for numbers in them; as the I, stands for one; V, for five; X, for ten; L, for fifty; C, for a hundred; M, for a thousand; D, for five hundred, &c. Write every letter on a separate piece of paper, roll them up, and put the billets into any thing, and then shake them together: And, in drawing, if the number of your names comes up to what it would, in so many billets which, you put in for, you will be happy in your desire; but if a cross number arise, you will meet with many disappointments.
The hair in this case is commonly very remarkable and most significant.
Black hair signifies the person rash, choleric, given much to quarrels and strife;but if it be soft and pliable, the person is moderately meek and humble, of a free temper and good nature.
Dark brown hair signifies an indifferent good temper loving and affable, one easy to be wrought on with good usage.
Light brown hair, that is not harsh or broken at the ends, shews the party very loving and good natured, industrious and patient in the pleasure of marriage.
Flaxen hair is Venus’s own colour, and rarely fails, in any one, to render a soft, kind temper, usually of a fair and sanguine complexion, very amorous, and apt to love.
Dusky red hair, shews the person melancholy, and of a morose temper, not much subject to love, but covetous, and anxious to obtain honour and riches.
Bright or deep red hair shews the party to be very lecherous; one that will have many children, and very pleasing in marriage; yet apt to stray if satisfaction in marriage fails. It also signifieth the party wise and industrious, not designed for great riches.
Any colours that are intermixed between these, participate equally of the temper, qualities, good nature, and humours, that I have mentioned in the degrees of mixtures. And thus many a man or woman may make their conjecture, and so be happy.
These signs of love and marriage, have been greatly taken notice of, in their exact succeeding, according to the desire of the parties, and are as follows,viz.
1. For a woman to have the first and last letters of her Christian name the same with the man’s Sir-name that makes love to her, denotes a happy union, and that the man will be a generous lover.2. For the man to have the first and last letters of his Christian name the same with the woman’s Sir-name, denotes the same.3. To think on a person upon sudden waking, without any meditation, upon a Friday morning, that before had a place in the affections of a man or woman, is a demonstration that love or extraordinary friendship will take place between them.4. If a ring accidently fall off a man’s finger that is under no obligation of marriage, and runs directly to the foot of a maid or widow, it denotes not only he is in love with the party, but that a sudden marriage will ensue between them.5. If a robin red-breast comes fluttering to your window, and sings very pleasantly, perching near it, it denotes a very speedy marriage.6. If a hare start in your way, and run on your right hand, you will have success in love affairs; but if she cross you, or run on the left hand, it denotes you will be interrupted by others as rivals.7. If swallows chatter merrily, and sing in the chimney of the chamber where you lie, it denotes you will have many sweethearts, and be kindly treated.8. Bats fluttering at your window, betokens misfortunes in love. The croaking of ravens being the first thing you hear in the morning, denotes the same.9. To meet a sow, on first going out in the morning, carrying straw in her mouth, denotes that a maid or widow will soon be married, and be fruitful in children.10. To hear magpies chatter, and flying about as you walk abroad, denotes much strife and brawling in marriage.11. If walking abroad with your sweetheart you perceive a pair of pigeons encircle you round, it is a sign of marriage and happiness to ensue, with contentment.12. If one drops their garter, when going to see their sweetheart, it denotes they will meet with a cold reception.
1. For a woman to have the first and last letters of her Christian name the same with the man’s Sir-name that makes love to her, denotes a happy union, and that the man will be a generous lover.
2. For the man to have the first and last letters of his Christian name the same with the woman’s Sir-name, denotes the same.
3. To think on a person upon sudden waking, without any meditation, upon a Friday morning, that before had a place in the affections of a man or woman, is a demonstration that love or extraordinary friendship will take place between them.
4. If a ring accidently fall off a man’s finger that is under no obligation of marriage, and runs directly to the foot of a maid or widow, it denotes not only he is in love with the party, but that a sudden marriage will ensue between them.
5. If a robin red-breast comes fluttering to your window, and sings very pleasantly, perching near it, it denotes a very speedy marriage.
6. If a hare start in your way, and run on your right hand, you will have success in love affairs; but if she cross you, or run on the left hand, it denotes you will be interrupted by others as rivals.
7. If swallows chatter merrily, and sing in the chimney of the chamber where you lie, it denotes you will have many sweethearts, and be kindly treated.
8. Bats fluttering at your window, betokens misfortunes in love. The croaking of ravens being the first thing you hear in the morning, denotes the same.
9. To meet a sow, on first going out in the morning, carrying straw in her mouth, denotes that a maid or widow will soon be married, and be fruitful in children.
10. To hear magpies chatter, and flying about as you walk abroad, denotes much strife and brawling in marriage.
11. If walking abroad with your sweetheart you perceive a pair of pigeons encircle you round, it is a sign of marriage and happiness to ensue, with contentment.
12. If one drops their garter, when going to see their sweetheart, it denotes they will meet with a cold reception.
1. If the man be of a ruddy complexion, high and full nosed, his eye-brows bending archwise, his eyes standing full, of a black and lively colour it denotes him to be good natured, ingenious, and born to good fortune; and the same of a woman, if she be born under the planet Jupiter.
2. If a party be phlegmatic, lean, and of a dusky complexion, and much given to musing or melancholy, beware of such an one, of what sex soever.
3. An indifferent wide mouth, with full cheeks, smooth forehead, little ears, dark brown hair, and a chin proportionable to the face, is very promising.
4. An extraordinary thin chin, with the under lip larger than the upper, signifies a cross grained person, fit for little performance, yet given to great folly.
5. A long nose on a man, and a little mouth in a woman, signifies neither can be deceived in their marriage views.
6. A well set broad chin in a man, his face being round, and not too great, and a dimple or dint in a woman’s cheek or chin, denotes they will come together, and live happy in their married state.