TEACUP SIGNS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 102, 30 April 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

TEACUP SIGNS.

JToh One May Read the FnittTe frotii floating Bits of Tea at Home. If we may believe the lore of our grandmothers, a good many of those eventswhich aie usually supposed to be hidden from the world till the time of their arrival may be divined in advance by means of the "cup which cheers." Most of these "signs," even, are well known at the present time, but here are a* few with which all readers maf not be acquainted: When a bit of the stem or twig of the tea is seen floating in the cup it is a sign thafc a "visitor" may be expected. If the stalk has a hard feeling when pressed between the thumb and linger the caller will be a man; if yielding, a woman. When the coming of a "masculine friend is thus indicated to a young lady, she should— Bito him in two and throw him under the table: lie will eotno if ho is able. Another variation consists in stirring the contents of the cup swiftly around, as soon as the float is discovered, leaving the teaspoon standing erect in the center of the cup. If the "beau" floats around the edge of the cup, without coming near the spoon, he will in some way fail to make the contemplated visit. If it touches the spoon and then sails away, his coming will be unfortunate; but if it adheres to-thehandle, remaining there till the contents of the cup become quiet, his coming will be assured, and its result will be all that could be desired. If a young lady would know the number of years that will elapse before her marriage, let her balance a perfectly dry spoon on the edge of her cup. Taking a few drops of tea in a spoon held an inch above the first, let one drop after another fall gently into the bowl of the one which is in balance. The number of drops required to destroy the equilibrium of the spoon will probably be found to indicate the years which will pass bafore marriage. Should a single person by any chance have two spoons placed in or beside a single cup, it is a sign of marriage before the close of the year—unless the event happens on the 31st of December, when marriage may bo looked for during the following year. If a yonng lady adds milk or cream to her tea before putting in the sugar, it is a sign that she is in danger of being crossed in love.

If while the tea is being made the lid of the teapot is for any purpose removed and its return is forgotton, it is an indication that some one will drop in to share the repast, and an additional cup of the beverage should be prepared.

Fill a'cup nearly full of tea and drop in a lump of loaf sugar. If the small bubbles which rise gather and remain in the center of the cup it is a sign of fair weather; but if, they seek the outer edge, a storm is indicated and its violence will be in proportion to the rapidity and energy of their movements. —Nevrton Norton in Good Housekeeping.