MERCURY, happy and fortunate, makes men ingenious, desirous of science, and seeking diligently after secrets, such as are apt for any thing, orators, poets, philosophers, astrologicians, fortune-tellers, eloquent, variable, mathematicians, and men addicted to merchandise, &c. He governs the tongue and memory. XVIII.--THE MENSA, OR PART OF FORTUNE. This space being great and broad, and the figure decent, declares a liberal man, magnanimous and of long life. But if small and narrow, it indicates a slender fortune and fearfulness. A cross or star within it, clear and well proportioned, especially under the region of the ring finger, betokens honors and dignities to ensue from, or by means of great and noble personages. If the character of Jupiter, it then promises great ecclesiastical dignities, &c. The same star or cross tripled, portends good fortune; but if it be cut by confused little lines, the good fortune is thereby diverted, and anxieties and labors threatened in defending his honors, especially if they are under the region of the ring finger. A cross or star in the uppermost part of the mensa, is a sign of fortunate journeys. The mensa sharpened by the concourse of the thoral and cardiac lines, points out deceit and danger of life. If no mensa be shown in the hand, it shows obscurity both of life and fortune. Good and equal lines in this space do declare the fortune to be good, but if evil and decomposed they quite overthrow it. A little circle shows perfection of wit, and the obtaining of science, the others assenting thereunto. XIX.--THE POLLEX, OR THUMB. Overthwart lines, that are clear and long underneath the nail and joint of the thumb, confer riches and honor. A line passing from the upper joint of the thumb to the cardiaca, threatens a violent death or danger by means of some married lady. Lines much dispersed in the lower joint of the thumb, describe men that are contentious, and such as rejoice in scolding, &c. A line surrounding the thumb, in the middle joint, portends the man shall be hanged. Equal furrows drawn under the lower joint thereof, argue riches and possessions. If the first or second joint want incisures, it shows drowsiness and idleness. XX.--THE INDEX, OR FORE FINGER. Many lines in the uppermost joint, and they proceeding overthwartly, denote inheritances; by running so in the middle joint, an envious and evil disposed person. Right lines running between these joints, declare (in the ladies) a numerous issue; in gentlemen, bitterness of tongue. If they are in the first joint, near unto Jupiter’s mouth, they manifest a jovial disposition, that is, they point to the man whom Jupiter favored well in his nativity. That who hath a star in the same place, may certainly be pronounced unchaste and lascivious. XXI.--MEDIUS, OR THE MIDDLE FINGER.