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 Fortune-Telling tn America To-Day. 299 
 
 FORTUNE-TELLING IN AMERICA TO-DAY. 
 A STUDY OF ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 - Tut fortune-tellers, clairvoyants, and astrologers, so-called, should 
 succeed in earning a livelihood in this eminently practical country, 
 and in these enlightened days, is a matter of surprise to those who 
 fail to take into consideration the efforts which all classes of people 
 are now making to penetrate the supernatural. The intelligent and 
 cultivated become students of psychology, hypnotism, and psychical 
 phenomena, while the unlettered and credulous dabble in cheiro- 
 mancy, clairvoyance, and astrology. Still a third class of persons, 
 who can hardly be called intelligent and who would scornfully repu- 
 diate an accusation of ignorance, engage seriqusly.in:-studying the 
 mysteries of the Kabbala, discourse learnedly on theosophy, and 
 investigate the phenomena of spiritualism. 
 
 Notwithstanding the high average of intelligence in these United 
 States, quite a number of fortune-tellers ply their trade with certain 
 success in most of our larger cities ; the daily press teems with the 
 advertisements of tltese charlatans, who style themselves “ clairvoy- 
 ants,” “spiritualists,’ and “test-mediums,’” but more commonly 
 “astrologers ;’’ and under the latter heading their advertisements 
 are usually grouped by the editors who have in charge the make-up 
 of the papers. These announcements set forth their boasted powers 
 in extravagant terms, and a study of them gives us an insight into 
 the claims and business methods of their authors. 
 
 These advertisements used to be far more numerous in the daily 
 papers of our Eastern cities than at present, and their decrease in 
 number probably denotes increase in intelligence ; on the other hand, 
 San Francisco newspapers are especially rich in these curiosities 
 of literature, a fact indicating that superstition goes hand-in-hand 
 with the adventurous spirit of the rough characters who first settle 
 in newly-opened lands. 
 
 Here, as in Europe, women seem to succeed better than men in, 
 the business of fortune-telling, for the advertisements of the ‘“ Ma- 
 dames’ far outnumber those of the “Professors ;” indeed, clairvoy- 
 ance might_be included in the list.of.occupations.open.to women. 
 Like their gypsy cousins, they are generally of a migratory disposi- 
 tion, not however conducting their wanderings in a house-wagon, 
 but moving from town to town by railway and steamboat. After 
 engaging for a few weeks a “parlor” in a suitable neighborhood, 
 not too expensively aristocratic and not too deep in the slums, 
 
 1 Read to the Baltimore Branch of the American Folk-Lore Society, December 
 12, 1895. 
 
~ 
 
 300 Fournal of A merican Folk-Lore. 
 
 they announce their arrival in printer’s ink, either through the daily 
 press or by circulars which are distributed broadcast throughout the 
 place; circulars are used chiefly in the smaller villages. 
 
 Fortune-tellers are not all migratory, however, for some “ Profes- 
 sors’’ find their business so steadily profitable that they boast of 
 having been many years established at a given address. 
 
 The more wealthy and aristocratic of these shrewd speculators in 
 human weakness are not content with two rooms in a lodging-house, 
 but reside in comparative affluence in houses of fair dimensions; the 
 successful also employ assistants, who, acting as doorkeepers and 
 acolytes, add dignity to the establishment, and aid in throwing a veil 
 of awful mystery over the presiding genius of the inner sanctum. 
 These latter-day, well-fed, richly-apparelled, comfortably-housed for- 
 tune-tellers present a great contrast to, PINCH :— 
 
 A hungry, lean-faced villain, 
 
 A mere anatomy, a mountebank, 
 
 A thread-bare juggler, and a fortune-teller ; 
 A needy, hollow-eyed, sharp-looking wretch, 
 A living dead-man. 
 
 The well-to-do fortune-tellers are, however, few in number; the 
 majority earn precarious livelihoods; the times have changed since 
 astrologers secured the patronage of crowned heads; there is no 
 Rudolph II. in the New World to support them at court in idle 
 luxury, nor are there opportunities to repeat the career of the 
 famous Mlle. Lenormant who was so prominent a figure in the days 
 of Napoleon I. 
 
 Some of the less pretentious fortune-tellers add to their ordinary 
 business “ magnetic healing,’ promise “wonderful cures,” and ad- 
 vertise themselves as “medical clairvoyants;’’ one woman, with 
 unwonted thrift, offers to act as “a first-class manicure,” and to sell 
 a “preparation for speedily restoring lost hair.” Bodily presence is 
 by no means essential to success in the treatment of ailments by 
 these medical clairvoyants; one person offers “absent treatments 
 $5 per month, send stamp for diagnosis.’ Surely this ungrammatical 
 proposal infers the climax of credulity! but has the apparent merit 
 of economy. Some of the advertisers receive ‘ladies only” in their 
 parlors, and nearly all of them show favoritism to the gentler sex by 
 a lower charge, a common phrase being, ‘‘ladies, 50 cts.; gents, $1.” 
 The fees demanded run from 25 cents to $2 and upwards, the 
 higher sums being proportioned to the superstitious faith and ap- 
 parent financial ability of clients, as ascertained during the inter- 
 views. For attention to correspondence, the usual charge seems to 
 be $2, which shows that clairvoyants find letter-writing more exhaust- 
 ing than the trance. 
 
y 
 
 ~ 
 
 \ 
 eS 
 
 Ss 
 
 Fortune-Telling in America T. 0-Day. 301. 
 
 To attract the attention of the unlettered, and to mystify them, 
 certain high-sounding expressions are introduced into the printed | 
 | announcements : one Hale advertiser claims to be an “astral seer,” 
 | another a “ planet-reader ;’ ; the women are “ charm-workers,” “ gifted 
 _with second sight;” they act as “ palmists,” “gypsy life-readers,” 
 
 or “trance mediums.” Some offer to give “clairvoyant sittings,” 
 “spiritual tests,’ and to form “developing circles.” ) 
 
 A great variety of methods of divination is offered adapted to 
 please all tastes. You can visit an “astrologer,” who will “cast 
 horoscopes,” or a ‘“card-reader,”’ whose simple, time-honored meth- 
 ods are well known ; or you can consult in your emergency a “slate- 
 writer,’ whose clever sleight-of-hand will puzzle the most observant 
 unbeliever. If, however, you shrink from personal contact with the 
 “medium,” it will be quite sufficient to send him (or her) by mail 
 “a sample of your handwriting,” or “locks of hair, with stamps,” to 
 obtain a revelation of your past life, with a prophecy as to your 
 future, and plenty of advice as to your conduct in love-affairs, all 
 quite as accurate and valuable‘as if received from the lips of the 
 great clairvoyant herself, a having the enormous advantage of 
 ready reference. 
 
 If none of these methods appeal to you, there are Professors who 
 will seek indications of the future with the aid of a “ genuine Hindoo 
 talisman,” or in “eggs,” “crystals,” “beryls,’ and “mirrors.” Of 
 this latter phase of mental hallucination I have given some account 
 in “A Modern Oracle and its Prototypes.” (Jour. Amer. Folk-Lore, 
 1893.) Some offer to teach these and other methods of divination ; 
 a Chicago woman advertises “mediums properly developed.” Be- 
 sides these glittering attractions, you can secure, for a consideration, 
 “magic charms,” “love-tokens,” and “talismans,” though some of 
 the latter are far too precious to part with, since they endow the 
 possessor with the magical powers necessary to conduct the busi- 
 ness. 
 
 Advice is offered on the greatest variety of topics, and promises 
 are made of “sure help,” ‘healing troubles,” ‘reuniting lovers,” 
 “removing bad habits,’ ‘restoring lost love by sympathy,” ‘true 
 pictures of future wives and husbands,” and of “lucky numbers” 
 for those who play policy and speculate in lotteries. A Chicago 
 clairvoyant advertises “race tips ;’’ a New Orleans advertiser offers 
 to “locate buried treasures.’’ A most important item is the offer to 
 ‘“‘give points in law and on all business transactions,’ thus making 
 expensivé-lawyers superfluous and assuring financial success. Add 
 to these enticing proposals the fact that the advertisers “ guarantee 
 satisfaction,’ for ‘mistake [is] impossible” and “nothing [is] ex- 
 cepted” from their vision, and one really has to exert conscientious 
 
 A oO 724. 
 
302 Fournal of American Folk-Lore. 
 
 self-control to keep away from these fortunate beings of magnificen 
 promises. 
 
 To add to the mystery which is supposed to surround the lives of 
 these gifted mortals, they claim to be of Egyptian ancestry, “ oy psy 
 queens,’ “born with cauls,” and the “seventh daughter of a sev- 
 enth daughter,” a happy domestic accident supposed to confer mirac- 
 ulous powers upon the younger woman. And to still further excite 
 curiosity and to stimulate superstitious belief, the advertisers adopt 
 fanciful names, often indicative of foreign birth; thus we find the 
 following startling and obviously fictitious combinations: ‘‘ Madame 
 Exodius,” “ Yamena, the Turkish Fortune-Teller,” ‘‘ Madame Don,” 
 “Carmelos,” “Augusta Leola,” ‘‘ Madame Castella,” and “Senti- 
 nella Guzhdo, the great Egyptian Prophetess,’ whose captivating 
 circular will be given entire later on. The men seem to scorn this 
 trickery, and generally use commonplace names, sometimes with the 
 prefix “Professor,” a greatly abused privilege much practised by 
 charlatans in every walk of life. A Chicago “medium” uses the 
 name “Sir Russell Easton,” a bold claim of knighthood. 
 
 The business hours of these hard-working people are generally 
 
 very long: “9g tog” is avery common statement; but others are 
 more specific, and announce “circles Mondays and Fridays, 8 p. o.,” 
 besides “sittings daily 10 to 2,’ hours which must sadly interfere 
 with sound digestion. One conscientious, or perhaps pleasure-loving 
 man advertises, “ Sundays excepted.” Mrs. Seal, of San Francisco, 
 offers “test circles on Wednesday evenings and developing circles 
 on Thursday evenings,” which indicates that she has well-trained 
 spirits under perfect control. 
 «. This partial analysis of the ninety advertisements! and circulars I 
 have collected (the number could easily be increased tenfold), pre- 
 pares the way for the presentation of characteristic specimens. 
 The following from a paper published at Washington, D. C., is a 
 typical one, embracing many common features in a condensed form ; 
 it is classed under “ Personals: ” 
 
 Prof. Clay, wonderful clairvoyant and medium, tells your life from cradle 
 to grave; every hidden mystery revealed; tells the business that will bring you 
 greatest success; in love affairs he never fails; unites separated; recovers 
 losses; causes speedy marriages ; removes evil influences; foretells with a cer- 
 tainty all commercial and business transactions; twelve years establisked 
 Ladies and gentlemen, 50 cents each. Hours 9 to 9; open Sunday. 
 
 This and all succeeding advertisements are transcribed verbatim, 
 and the names are not altered; the addresses only are omitted as 
 unimportant. 
 
 1 From papers published in New York, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, 
 New Orleans, and Atlanta. 
 
\ ' 
 pole 
 
 Fortune-Telling in America To-Day. 303 
 
 Briefer, and therefore cheaper, are the five following from a San 
 Francisco journal : — 
 
 ph Great Clairvoyant: Mme. Stewart, from Boston; the seventh daughter of the 
 seventh daughter; has read cards since 11 years of age; life revealed — past, 
 present, future ; ladies or gents, 50c.; beautiful parlors. 
 
 Gypsy Queen; Planet Reader; life mystery revealed; gives lucky num- 
 bers; helps you with the lucky star; she has a natural powerful gift. 
 
 Mrs. Ethel Gray, palmist, life reader, magnetic healer. 108 6th, parlors 1-2. 
 
 Mme. Porter, Card Reader. Ladies, 50c.; gents, $1; palmistry and clairvoy- 
 ant sittings, $1.50. 
 
 Mme. Lenemar ; fortunes told by planet; predicted in 1874 passengers of 
 overdue steamer on island. 
 
 In the last advertisement cited indubitable proof is given of the 
 lady’s prophetic ability ; the same idea has occurred to an astrolo- 
 ger of Kansas City, Mo., who quotes the language of a former 
 client :— 
 
 “Had I followed your advice given three years ago, I would have been happy 
 to-day.” — S. E. Dobbs, Springtown, Tex. Thousands testify that I correctly 
 read the past and foretell the future; send date of birth and Io cents for a 
 sketch of your life. L. Thomson, astrologer, Kansas City, Mo. 
 
 Claims to supernatural power conferred by talismans are found in 
 the following :— 
 
 Augusta Leola, Fortune-Teller; magic charms, love tokens, true picture of 
 future wife and husband; teaches fortune-telling ; develops clairvoyance, slate- 
 writing, etc.; has the seven holy seals and the Palestine wonder charm; fee, 
 $1 and upward. 
 
 The next is characteristic : — 
 
 Mme. Dr. Thomas, Scientific Revealer by eggs and cards; tells entire life, 
 past, present, future; consultations on all affairs, nothing excepted; names 
 given good advice, sure help; restores lost love by sympathy; mistake impos- 
 sible; fee $1; letter $2. 
 
 A New Orleans clairvoyant advertises thus : — 
 
 A wish obtained without voudouism; please call on Mme. Genevieve. A 
 wish obtained by mail. 
 
 A certain “Professor Walter,” of San Francisco, is very lavish in 
 the use of printers’ ink, the three principal papers of that city con- 
 taining on the same date long advertisements, one of which we copy 
 entire : — 
 
 Attention! Professor Walter is in the city, at 303 Jones Street. Satisfac- 
 tion absolutely guaranteed. Health, wealth, and happiness by consulting the 
 professor. He is the greatest clairvoyant of the Nineteenth century. Don’t 
 miss the opportunity to consult him, for there may be something in the future 
 which will be beneficial to you. Thousands of people have been made happy by 
 his aid and advice. The professor has been pronounced by all his patrons as 
 
304 Fournal of Amerian Folk-Lore. 
 
 the most powerful clairvoyant and test medium of the age, being successful in | 
 all cases where others have often failed. You will find the professor a perfect 
 gentleman and very honest in his business. He will be pleased to see all who 
 have a desire to consult him. The professor possesses powers of marvellous 
 character, unsurpassed by any so-called mediums or future readers. His suc- 
 cess in the past proves his superior ability to help you now. Interview him and 
 you will say that he is the greatest wonder of the age. The professor challenges 
 the world as a clairvoyant. He overcomes your enemies, removes family trou- 
 bles, restores lost affections, causes happy marriage with the one you love, 
 removes all influences, bad habits, gives correct information in lawsuits, divorces, 
 lost friends, etc.; valuable advice to ladies and gentlemen on love, courtships 
 and marriages, and how to choose a wife or husband for future happiness ; what 
 business best adapted to, and where to go for success and speedy riches; tells if 
 the one you love is true or false; stock speculations a specialty. The professor 
 does not require to return to such a method as charms or such trash, and does 
 not wish to be classed with card readers, etc., but a life reader from the laws of 
 science, which is clairvoyancy and spiritual mediumship. Those who have been 
 humbugged by false pretenders must not give up in despair, but consult the 
 Professor at once. You will find him reasonable in prices, and all business 
 strictly confidential. Office hours, 9 to 9. Sundays, 9 to 5. 
 
 This -advertiser certainly does not suffer from modesty ; his pre- 
 tentious claims are probably found by experience to attract business 
 to himself, an expedient as old as Cagliostro. His bold effrontery 
 is equalled, however, by a man doing business in Chicago, whose 
 claim to knighthood I have mentioned : — 
 
 Sir Russell Easton is unquestionably the most successful medium before the 
 public. His power excites the wonder and the admiration of even the most 
 sceptical. He gives advice on business, speculation, courtship, marriage, divorce, 
 little lovers’ quarrels, reunites the separated, and causes speedy and happy mar- 
 riage with the one of your choice. As a charm worker he has no equal. The 
 troubled and unfortunate should seek his aid and counsel. All persons unsuc- 
 cessful in business who seem lucky should call on Sir Russell Easton and start 
 aright. Young people contemplating marriage and those unhappily united 
 should call at once and obtain knowledge that is invaluable. Sir Russell Eas- 
 ton is so sure of his powers he guarantees his work as unfailing. All patrons 
 who visit his parlors take pleasure in recommending him as a medium of real 
 worth and rare merit. His readings are always satisfactory or fee refunded. 
 He excels in the following phases of mediumistic power: Reuniting the sepa- 
 rated, imparting magnetic power through psychic force, looking up heirships 
 and old estates, causing marriage with the one of your choice, adjusting lovers’ 
 quarrels, overcoming your enemies, removing bad influences, looking up safe 
 and good paying investments on commission, giving sound and sensible advice 
 in lawsuits. Sir Russell Easton is consulted by letter from all portions of the 
 earth wherever the English language is spoken, and is the only medium capable 
 of giving assistance at a distance as well as by personal interviews. He is per- 
 manently located in parlor formerly occupied by Professor J. Jefferson. All 
 matters are strictly confidential and sacred. Letter containing stamp promptly 
 answered. Sittings for ladies, $1; gents, $2. Office hours from 9.30 a. m. to 8 
 p.m. Sundays, 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Address Sir Russell Easton. 
 
 The large German population of New York city is appealed to 
 
iv i aN 
 
 \ Fortune-Telling in America Lo-Day. 395 
 
 through German newspapers, which contain advertisements of Wahr- 
 sagerinen similar to those of their English-speaking rivals : — 
 
 (Die Zufunft enthillt, und Rath in allen Saden, Kranfheiten, Geschaft, Heirath, 
 Liebe, Prozek, Handlungen bon Freund und Feind, u. f. ww. Mtr. J. Schaefer, 
 beriifmte Brophetin, [address follows. ] 
 
 The French residents of New York are also favored with similar 
 notices :— 
 
 CONSULTEZ L’ASTROLOGUE. Connaissez votre destinée, les années a venir 
 favorables ou contraires, chances de fortune, mariage, santé, etc. Envoyer un 
 dollar, date de naissance et sexe 4 E. Archer Faveur gratuite; les dames 
 a marier, qui en feront la demande, verront apparaitre le portrait magique de 
 leur futur époux sur une place blanche de leur horoscope, d’un dollar. Con- 
 sultations verbales l’aprés midi et le soir. A titre d’essai et preuve de savoir 
 occulte 4 toute personne envoyant 25 cents, en argent, date de naissance, etc., 
 il sera dit quelques particularités frappantes de sa vie, passée ou présente. 
 
 The probable income of these impostors can only be conjectured, 
 though some estimate may be formed of the value of the business in 
 Washington city if the following advertiser tells the truth : — 
 
 Mme. Castella, Clairvoyant, who will shortly leave for San Francisco, desires 
 to sell her entire business and furnished house to clairvoyant; guarantee $100 a 
 month can be made. 
 
 The circulars distributed by hand in small towns do not differ 
 essentially from the newspaper “ads.,” but are generally longer, and 
 their form admits of display and heavy types. During a recent 
 sojourn in Lakewood, N. J., two circulars fell into my hands, which 
 are striking specimens of this literature. In one of these “Mrs, Dr. 
 Edwards” announces she will spend one week in Lakewood, place 
 and dates given, and then proceeds as follows : — 
 
 Mrs, Dr. Edwards, the greatest and the most celebrated clairvoyant in the 
 world, and is known in this country from Maine to Mexico. She was born with 
 the wonderful gift of second sight, and with a veil. She is the seventh daughter 
 of the seventh daughter. She reveals every mystery; tells you if the one you 
 love is true or false. She removes every grief, settles lovers’ troubles, and 
 causes speedy love marriages. She gives reliable information to gentlemen in 
 all business transactions, and informs them how to make profitable investments 
 and acquire speedy riches. She tells lucky lottery numbers. She has an Osiris 
 Egyptian Talisman, which is noted all the world over as a specific charm for 
 the unlucky. All who are in trouble or sick should call without delay. Ladies, 
 Soc. to $1.00. Gentlemen, $1.00. Office hours from 9 A. M. to 9 P. M. 
 
 The second circular is most craftily worded, and well calculated to 
 attract believers in the supernatural. 
 
 THE GREAT EGYPTIAN PROPHETESS, SENTINELLA GUZHDO, whose astound- 
 
 ing revelations and miraculous cures have been agitating Europe and puzzling 
 
 the philosophic minds of the age, is a lineal descendant of Zindello, king of one 
 of the most ancient tribes of Egypt. Her parents were born near Cairo, on 
 
 a | 
 
306 Fournal of American Folk-Lore. 
 
 the Nile. Her father, M/rascha Guzhdo, was the seventh son, and her mother, 
 Feleschine Sitkerwaul, the seventh daughter. SENTINELLA, their offspring, 
 
 from her infancy was looked upon as a prodigy. Being the seventh daughter - 
 
 and born with a caul on her face, she was looked upon and held in the highest 
 veneration by all who saw her. 
 
 She possesses rare gifts as a fortune-teller, removes spells, and cures diseases 
 by charms which have been carefully preserved in her tribe for generations 
 back. She makes a nominal charge merely to defray travelling expenses, her 
 only object being to benefit mankind. She tells the future as well as the past 
 in the life of all, from birth upwards. All disclosures strictly confidential. Ask 
 at House for SENTINELLA GUZHDO. 
 
 I can easily imagine that the innocent and unwary who trust 
 themselves to this accomplished Egyptian Prophetess, after being 
 fleeced by her, might be inclined to exclaim with Antony : — 
 
 [Cleopatra], like a right gypsy, hath at fast and loose, 
 Beguiled me to the very heart of loss. 
 
 Contrasting strangely with these pretentious circulars is the fol- 
 lowing advertisement, in which the candid disavowals are quite 
 refreshing. It is from Washington, D. C.:— 
 
 I am not a countess nor a gypsy queen; am not a seventh daughter; was not 
 born with a caul; am not something new and just arrived, but am Mme. Fran- 
 
 cis, one of the oldest-established mediums, and am here to stay. Am not in- 
 
 dorsed by the clergy, but am indorsed by some of the most learned and influen- 
 tial people of our city and many others; am here to help all those that are in 
 trouble. Life given from cradle to grave. Cards, 25; trances, 50. Hours, 9 to 
 9. Those that are in trouble call and be convinced. 
 
 In conclusion, the thought suggests itself, how can such charla- 
 tans flourish, and what class of persons contribute to their support ? 
 Their patrons, I conjecture, can be grouped under two heads: 
 (1.) The superstitious who ignorantly believe that mankind has 
 power over the supernatural. In this class fall numbers of “silly 
 
 women, ever learning, never able to come to the truth.” Probably . 
 
 a large proportion of this credulous class are of foreign birth. 
 (2.) The curious non-believers in the pretensions of the fortune-tell- 
 ers, who visit them “just for the fun of the thing.” , Some of this 
 class would not openly admit a shadow of belief, yet will be more or 
 less influenced by the mystical and rhapsodical talk of the me- 
 dium; their curiosity is excited, their hope of securing benefits 
 aroused, and the first visit is sure to be followed by others, feeling, 
 as they say, that “there must be something in it.” 
 
 The sale of magic charms probably adds materially to the uncer- 
 tain income of these clever people, who live largely by their wits, 
 for the number of persons who wear charms of one kind or another 
 is surprisingly large. And yet not surprising, for the aristocratic 
 merchant who carries in his pocket a horse-chestnut as a safeguard 
 
 ae 
 
Fort elling in America T: 0-Day. 307 
 
 gainst rheumatism, a ‘ond mother who hangs on her infant’s 
 eck an amber neckl vard off the croup, are giving counte- 
 nance in a genteel way to superstitions which in a grosser form they 
 condemn, when practised by ‘nose of a lower social position. 
 | The wealthy and learned wio have become victims to the craft of 
 . ithe spiritualist may be alluded to, though this phase of superstition 
 does not properly fall within the scope of this study. 
 ' Another limited class of pawons are men who visit the advertis- 
 ‘ers with a view of exposing fraid ; but such are often discomforted 
 ‘by the ingenuity of the fortune-tellers, who through long experience 
 | are prepared for every emergeacy. Indeed, these disciples of Simon 
 , Magus become very shrewd siudents of human nature, and learn to 
 | judge very quickly the mentil capacity of their clients, as well as 
 | the probable length of their purses. 
 | The daily press occasionaly throws light on the question who 
 | supports these knaves. A man having disappeared in Bangor, 
 Maine, his friends, after two weeks’ fruitless search, consulted clair- 
 | voyants, spiritualists, and 2 person having “second-sight,” in hopes 
 _ of assistance, all of which was duly telegraphed to the Boston newspa- 
 pers (October, 1895). "Not long ago certain detectives on the police 
 force of New York city persuaded the owner of lost property to 
 consult a clairvoyant, and to pay her a round sum for her services. 
 The New York papers of May 18, 1895, contain a remarkable story. 
 Two men from near. Rochester, having been missing for several 
 days, the father ef one of them, the Rev. Mr. Blank, drove ten 
 miles to the house of Mrs. H., a fortune-teller, to seek her advice. 
 Mrs. H. tolf the clergyman that the two victims had been murdered 
 by men With clubs. Ages ago King Saul consulted the Witch of 
 apa marked success, and perhaps the New York clergyman 
 foundin that ancient chronicle justification for his folly, — 
 financially and socially, these people who live by preying on cre- 
 ‘ity born of ignorance have no standing in this world, and in the 
 xt they are consigned by Dante to one of the lowest divisions 
 the Inferno, “ Malebolge;” the poet represents them as having 
 1eir heads turned around on their shoulders :— 
 
 { 
 
 See how he makes a bosom of his back; 
 Because he wished to see too far before, 
 He looks behind, and backward takes his way. 
 
 FHlenry Carrington Bolton. 
 
> Du 
 
 308 Fournal of American Fo 
 
 LET 
 
 EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA possesses “2 Old village, which the write 
 regards with attachment founded on the unreasoning affection o 
 childhood. Then as now, one could 10t but feel that here abod 
 “sincerity, faith, and content,.’ togeth©r with unchanging and won 
 derful cleanliness and comfort, in @¢h and every household. Thi¢: 
 is Litiz, to-day spelled Lititz, one f three Moravian settlements, 
 whose earliest characteristic was tk€ excellent boarding - school 
 founded more than a century ago,\@nd which still retain popu- 
 larity. . 
 
 Long since, Bethlehem surpassed N42areth and Litiz, and became 
 a prosperous town, in spite of the r¢@d-shakings of the other vil- 
 lages, more in sorrow than anger. [ad not Litiz said, when thirty 
 years before it had been proposed to ‘tablish a new industry : “No, 
 indeed! Look at Bethlehem, with it: 1ron-works and other mills, 
 just ruined!” Accordingly, Litiz clos! its eyes, and folded its 
 hands, again lulled to slumber by the Bxybling waters of “The 
 Spring,” as it flowed through the town. TI¢ long straight linden- 
 lined street has hardly changed, saving tha\ 2 beautiful memorial 
 chapel has been built close to the girls’ boatling-school. The sun 
 shines on the same unbroken quiet, until 2 half past eleven the 
 church bell calls the village to dinner, while the same exquisite 
 cleanness is everywhere to be found. Dk 
 
 When “Sister Polly Penry” returned from Lancasér, whither she | 
 had gone to “learn a new stitch in embroidery” (véde tt archives), 
 the appearance of the village street was not very different 'om that 
 which twenty years ago met the eyes of her possible descexlant, in 
 spite of the century which had elapsed. At the present tim the 
 shadow of the trolley is over the land, and when once withinits 
 grasp, Litiz will soon be as “‘composite”’ as any other village. 
 
 The main street lies, not exactly east and west, but a little incli 
 to that direction, curved northward at the western end, and tl 
 imperceptibly merging into the high road which leads to Lancaste 
 where once sat the American Congress. 
 
 The houses stood trimly in line on both sides of the one thorough- 
 fare, planted with lindens and weeping willows, with gardens on 
 either side, and ample pavements in front. In accordance with an 
 early law soon rescinded, most of the older stone houses have two 
 front doors, one provided with facing seats; all, by the same rule, 
 had upper floors, generally with steeply sloping roofs. None present 
 their gables to the street, as is the case in so many New England 
 villages, and while Litiz showed none of the small bleak frame 
 
 ¥