_The Serpent_, always the emblem of falsehood and enmity, is likewise the general sign of an enemy. On the top, or in the middle of the cup, it promises to the consulting party the triumph which he desires over his enemy; but he will not obtain it so easily if the serpent be in the thick and cloudy part. By the letter which appears near the emblem, the enemy may be easily guessed, as it makes the initial of his name. _The Letter._--By letters we communicate to our friends either pleasant or unpleasant news, and such is the case here; if this emblem is in the clear part, it denotes the speedy arrival of a considerable remittance of money, but hemmed in by clouds it is quite the contrary, and forebodes some melancholy or bad tidings, a loss or some other sinister accident. If it be in the clear, and accompanied by a heart, lovers may expect a letter, which secures the party the possession of the beloved object; but in the thick, it denotes a refusal. _The Coffin_, the emblem of death, prognosticates the same thing here, or at least a long and tedious illness; if it be in the thick, at the top of the cup, it signifies considerable estate left to the party by some rich relation; in the same manner at the bottom, it shows that the deceased is not so nearly related to the consulting party. _The Star_ denotes happiness if in the clear, and at the top of the cup; clouded, or in the thick, it signifies long life, though exposed to various troubles. If dots are about it, it foretells great fortune, wealth, high respectability, &c. Several stars denote so many good and happy children, but surrounded with dashes shows that the person’s children will cause him or her grief and vexation in old age, and should be prevented by giving them a good education in time. _The Dog_, being at all times the emblem of fidelity or envy, has a two-fold meaning here. At the top, in the clear, it signifies true and faithful friends, but if his image be surrounded with clouds and dashes, it shows that those whom you take for your friends are not to be depended on; but if the dog be at the bottom of the cup, you have to dread the effects of extreme envy or jealousy. _The Lily._--If this emblem be at the top or in the middle of the cup, it signifies that the consulting party either has or will have a virtuous spouse; if at the bottom, it denotes quite the reverse. In the clear, the lily further betokens along and happy life; if clouded or in the thick, it portends trouble and vexation, especially on the part of one’s relations.