Take a sheet of white paper and double it in the middle, and cut holes
through both the half sheets; let the holes be cut like a pane of glass,
or other forms that you may fancy; then with a pin prick two little holes
at each end and cut your paper in two halves; give one half to your friend
to whom you intend to write, lay your cut paper upon a half sheet of
writing paper, and stick two pins in these holes so that it cannot stir;
then, through these holes that you cut, write your mind to your friend.
When you have done, take off your paper holes again, and then write some
other idle words, both before and after your lines, but if they were
written to make some little sense, it would carry the less suspicion; then
seal it up and send it. When your friend has received it, he must lay his
paper on the same, putting pins into the pin-holes, and then he can read
nothing but your mind that you write, for all the rest of the lines are
covered.
_Another._--Write what you please of a letter on one side of a sheet of
letter paper with common ink; then turn your paper and write on the other
side with milk that which you would have secret, and let it dry; but this
must be written with a clean pen. Now, when you read it, you must hold
that side which is written with ink to the fire, and the milky letters
will then show bluish on the other side.
THE SILENT LANGUAGE. HOW TO CONVERSE WITH ANY PERSON WITHOUT SPEAKING A
WORD.
This art is performed on your hands and fingers, by the twenty-four
letters of the alphabet, which, having learned, you must spell the words
you intend your friend should know. The letters are very easily learned
and as easily remembered. You must understand that most of the letters are
upon the left hand and made with the fingers of the right and left hand;
the forefinger of your right hand you point to every letter, but sometimes
that and the two next fingers make several letters. The vowels are very
easy to remember, they being the tops or ends of your five fingers on your
left hand, and Y is formed in the palm of your left hand, thus:
The end of the thumb is =A=
The end of the fore finger =E=
The end of the middle finger =I=
The end of the ring finger =O=
The end of the little finger =U=
The table, or palm of the hand =Y=
One finger on the left thumb =B=
Two fingers on the left thumb =C=
Three fingers on the left thumb =D=
Your two fingers laid together =F=
Thumb, your fists together =G=
Stroke the palm of both hands together =H=
Your fore finger upon the left wrist =K=
One finger on the back of the left hand =L=
Three fingers on the same =M=
Two fingers on the same =N=
Clench your left hand, or fist =O=
Clench your right hand =P=
Link your little fingers together =Q=
The backs of your hands together =R=
The end of your fore finger to the
middle joint of the other fore finger =S=
Two fingers upon the little finger of the left hand =T=
Two fingers across =X=
Give two snaps with your fingers =Z=
Practice a few times and you will soon be perfect. Several motions
represent the likeness of the letter; as, one finger on the back of the
hand is like L, two fingers like N, three like M. The fore finger to the
middle joint of the other fore finger is like T; two fingers across is
like X; likewise B, C, D, are easily remembered; one finger on the left
thumb is B, two fingers C, three fingers D. But you must always remember
to give a snap with the fingers between the words, so that your friend may
distinguish one word from another. If you are in company, and think some
others understand you, that you would not have, it will be necessary to
change the vowels to some other part of the hand, and then none but your
friend that knows it can understand you. Suppose you would say to a lady
in a large company, “Madam, I am your humble servant.” It is done thus:
Lay three fingers on the back of your hand =M=
Put your finger to the end of your left thumb =A=
Three fingers upon your left thumb =D=
Your finger again to the thumb =A=
Three fingers again to the back of your hand =M=
And give a snap with your fingers as a
sign the word is spelt.
Then point to the end of your middle finger =I=
Then snap your fingers.
Then point to the end of your thumb =A=
Three fingers on the back of your hand =M=
Then snap your fingers.
Then point to the palm of your left hand =Y=
Then point to the end of your ring finger =O=
Then point to the end of your little finger =U=
Then link your little fingers together =R=
Then snap your fingers.
Stroke the palms of your hands together =H=
Point to the end of your little finger =U=
Put three fingers on the back of your hand =M=
One finger on the thumb =B=
One finger on the back of your hand =L=
Point to the end of your fore finger =E=
Then snap your fingers.
Put the backs of your hands together =S=
Point to the end of your fore finger =E=
Link your little fingers together =R=
Point to the end of your little finger =V=
Point to the end of the thumb =A=
Lay two fingers on the back of your hand =N=
Point the fore finger to the middle joint of the other fore finger =T=
Then snap your fingers.
And thus you may discourse upon any subject; if you practice it often you
will soon learn to do it very quick, even faster than you can write.
PREDICTIONS OF THE WEATHER, ATMOSPHERIC CHANGES, &c.
Should the horizon in the north wear a ruddy appearance in the evening,
stormy and boisterous weather may be expected.
If the clouds in the south are ruddy in the evening, sunshiny and rainy
weather will prevail for some time afterward.
When the face of the moon is partially obscured by a light, thin vapor,
rain will shortly follow.
When the rays from the sun at midday are more than ordinarily dazzling,
rainy weather will shortly succeed.
In summertime, when the swallows fly near to the ground, rainy weather
will assuredly soon follow.
The shrill crowing of a cock during rainy weather, is a sign that drought
will speedily prevail.
When the smoke from the chimney falls down toward the ground, instead of
rising upward, it is a sign that rainy weather will soon follow.
If on a foggy morning in summer the fog rises upward, it will be a fine
day; if the fog falls to the ground, it will be wet.
When, in summertime, you see the cattle grazing in a field gathering
together in groups, be assured that a thunderstorm is approaching.
When you see the fowls in a farmyard flocking together under some covert,
be assured that ungenial weather is about to succeed.
When the crows, in flying over your head, make an extraordinary and
discordant cawing, rain will come on shortly.
When you see your dog or cat more than ordinarily restless, frisking about
the house in all directions, be assured that some boisterous weather will
shortly follow.
In rainy weather, when you hear the chirping of the sparrows on the
housetop more shrill than usual, it is a sign that clear and dry weather
will quickly succeed.
When you see a vapory fluid resting upon a stagnant pool in the fore part
of the day, you may conclude that rainy weather will shortly come on.
Should the vapor ascend and clear away, a continued drought may be
anticipated.
In summer, when the atmosphere is dense and heavy, and there is scarcely a
breath of air, be assured that a thunderstorm is coming on.
When the firmament is lighted up with meteoric phenomena, such as falling
stars, globes of fire, &c., changeable and boisterous weather may be
expected to prevail.
When the rising sun appears like a solid mass of fervent heated metal, and
no rays appear to emanate therefrom, fine and dry weather may be
confidently anticipated.
When the sun sets in a halo of ruddy brightness, genial and bright weather
may be fully relied on for the coming day.
When the moon appears of a ruddy hue, stormy and boisterous weather may be
expected to follow.
When the stars appear of a sparkling brightness, fine and genial weather
may be expected to prevail for some time. Should the stars appear obscure
and dim, changeable and rainy weather may be anticipated.
The luminous appearance of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, in the
firmament, foretells the approach of stormy and boisterous weather.
When the setting sun, in the autumn or winter seasons, appears ruddy, it
is a sign that high and boisterous winds may be expected to blow from the
north and northwest. When the sun at its rising, in the autumn or winter
seasons, appears ruddy, it foretells that high and boisterous winds may be
anticipated to blow from the south and southeast.
When seabirds are observed flocking toward the shore, storms and tempests
may be confidently expected.
When in the early autumn season the migratory birds are seen flocking
together and taking their departure, it is a certain sign that rough and
boisterous weather is approaching and that a severe winter may be
anticipated.
When the doves around a dovecote make a more than ordinary cooing, and
frequently pass in and out of their cote, it is a sign that a change of
weather is near.
When the robin approaches your habitation, it is a sign that wintry
weather will shortly prevail.
When there is a thick vapory mist resting on the tops of high hills in the
morning and remains there during the day, it is a sign that wet and
ungenial weather may be anticipated. Should the mist eventually rise
upward and be evaporated by the sun’s rays, a return to fine dry weather
may be looked for; if, however, the mist falls down into the valley, a
continuation of wet weather will prevail.
If, in taking a walk, you should see a single magpie, it is a bad omen,
especially if it should fly past you to the left hand; but, if it should
pass you to the right hand, the good will counterbalance the bad. Should
you see two magpies together, expect to hear of something to your
advantage--a proposal of marriage, if single; or a legacy of money
bequeathed to you. Should the magpies fly past you together, to your right
hand, your own marriage, or the marriage of some one nearly related to
you, will occur in a short time. The seeing of several magpies together is
considered a very fortunate omen.
May is considered an unlucky month to marry in, therefore avoid doing so
if possible. If you can catch a snail by the horns on the first of May and
throw it over your shoulder, you will be lucky throughout the year. If
you place one on a slate on that day, it will describe by its turnings the
initials of your future partner’s name.
If a young man or young woman, on going up a flight of stairs, should
stumble in the middle of the flight, it is a sign that his or her marriage
will take place in a short time; if the stumbling should be near the top
of the stairs, then his or her marriage will be immediately consummated.
If a marriage procession, on proceeding to church or chapel, should happen
to meet a funeral procession, it is considered an unlucky omen to the
expectant bride; if, on returning after the solemnization of the rite, a
funeral procession should pass the bridal party, it is an unfavorable sign
to the bridegroom.
If a young person, when seated at the tea-table, should observe one or
more stalks of the tea plant in the newly poured out cup, and if, on
stirring the tea and holding the spoon in the middle of the liquid, the
stalk or stalks should come close to the spoon handle, it is a token that
he or she will be soon married.
When the house dog is unusually restless, and howls dismally in the night
time, it is a sign that sickness and death are about to visit the family
to whom the dog belongs.
When the wick of your candle shows a bright spark in the midst of the
flame, it is a sign that a long absent friend is about to visit you.
When the ribs of your fire grate are more than usual covered with flakes
of soot, it is a sign that a stranger is about to visit your habitation.