Innocent Amusement or the The Hierogylphical Fortuneteller

[Two pages from a book of fortunes, the original of which was thought to be carried by Napolean Bonaparte. (Asa Ribelin Papers, Rowan Public Library, Edith M. Clark History Room).]

Innocent amusement or

U

You are love-sick,
of injuring your friends by talking too much,
You shall be visited by a gentleman,
You shall live chiefly by eating & drinking,
Your success is impossible, therefore relinquish the design,
If you use the proper means, it will,
An introduction to h**, would not be advantageous to you
By amiable deportment & sensible conversation,
Your censoriousness,
Of science and literature,
Ungoverned ill temper, & tyrannical & sanguinary disposition
To get someone to work for h**, that *he may be idle,
To try your temper by promising & then refusing you,
Yes, you know *he has told you so,
No, because *he does not desire it,
Misanthropy,
A printer,
A large portion of care and inquietude,
Young, handsome, accomplished, and rich,
When the virtuous shall be preferred before the vain,
Yes, to the person you are now in love with; do not blush
Regardless of fortune & her favors, pursue the path of rectitude
Forget not your final destination,
You have one true friend at least, & and that is one more than generally falls to the lot of kings,
It denotes a great & happy change of circumstances
That you want verry much to be married,

V

That you are very handsome, and very vain of it,
You are in love,
of success in a certain adventure,
You shall be silent half an hour,
You shall be the respected head of a numerous family
Success would prove misfortune to you, do not pursue it
Not unless you be more prudent,
Ask a friend to introduce you,
By dancing well,
Your reserve towards h**,
Of scandalizing others,
Mild & even temper, generous & noble,
To change courtship to partnership,
To try your constancy, & then act according to the result
No, it is all hypocrisy,
Yes, if you please, for *he is anxious for it,
Philanthropy,
A chimney sweeper,
As much gold as you can lift
When some towncrier shall want a partner,
Yes, if all promises be kept,
Regard the world with cautious eye, nor raise your expectations high
Renounce giddiness & be more thoughtful,
You have, like most other persons, many friends, but few true ones,
It was a warning to you to avoid...you know what,

Advertisement. An explanation of the text with a signature of the copier dated August 2, 1832.(Asa Ribelin Papers, Rowan County Public Library)

Advertisement

The Manuscript of which these Books is translated was once in the possession of Bonaparte, and it is said was found in his carriage at the battle of Waterloo; it was considered by him a work of great ingenuity

Ribelin, Asa

Signed August 2, 1832

Paper