The second parcel, the Present, containing the ten of diamonds, nine of spades, eight of spades, queen of diamonds, queen of clubs, eight of hearts, seven of spades, ten of spades, queen of spades, eight of diamonds, signifies: "The ten of diamonds--a voyage or journey, at that moment taking place--nine of spades--caused by the death or dangerous illness of someone--eight of spades--whose state will occasion great grief--queen of diamonds--to a fair woman. The queen of clubs--an affectionate woman seeks to console--eight of hearts--a fair young girl, who is the person making the essay--seven of spades--who has secret griefs--ten of spades--causing her many tears--queen of spades--these are occasioned by the conduct of either a dark woman or a widow, who--eight of diamonds--is her rival." The third packet of cards, the Future, we will suppose to contain the eight of clubs, ten of clubs, seven of diamonds, ten of hearts, seven of clubs, nine of hearts, ace of diamonds, jack of spades, seven of hearts, and the nine of clubs, which would read thus: "In the first place, the large number of small cards foretells success in enterprises, although the presence of three sevens predicts an illness. The eight of clubs--a dark young girl--ten of clubs--is about to inherit a large fortune--seven of diamonds--but her satirical disposition will destroy--ten of hearts--all her happiness. Seven of clubs--a little money and--nine of hearts--much joy--ace of hearts--will be announced to the person making the essay by a letter, and--jack of spades--a wild young man--seven of hearts--will be over joyed at receiving--nine of clubs--some unexpected tidings. The cards of surprise--viz., the king of diamonds and the ace of clubs--predict that a letter will be received from some military man and that it will contain money." THE MATRIMONIAL ORACLE In the case of consultation upon the subject of marriages in general, the Consultant should be withdrawn from the pack, inasmuch as it is necessary that the couple should be of the same color, in order that a marriage be formed.