'The nine of hearts is termed the wish card. After the general
fortune has been told, a separate and different manipulation is
performed, to learn if the pryer into futurity will obtain a
particular wish; and from the position of the wish card in the
pack the required answer is deduced.

'The foregoing is merely the alphabet of the art; the letters, as
it were, of the sentences formed by the various combinations of
the cards. A general idea only can be given here of the manner
in which those prophetic sentences are formed. As before stated,
if a married woman consults the cards, the king of her own suit,
or complexion, represents her husband; but with single women, the
lover, either in esse or posse, is represented by his own colour;
and all cards, when representing persons, lose their own normal
significations. There are exceptions, however, to these general
rules. A man, no matter what his complexion, if he wear uniform,
even if he be the negro cymbal-player in a regimental band, can
be represented by the king of diamonds:-- note, the dress of
policemen and volunteers is not considered as uniform. On the
other hand, a widow, even if she be an albiness, can be
represented only by the queen of spades.

'The ace of hearts always denoting the house of the person
consulting the decrees of fate, some general rules are applicable
to it. Thus the ace of clubs signifying a letter, its position,
either before or after the ace of hearts, shows whether the
letter is to be sent to or from the house. The ace of diamonds
when close to the ace of hearts foretells a wedding in the house;