SOCIAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1900, 3 July 1890, Page 38

SOCIAL TOPICS.

Bt Oigabbttb.

FOKTUNE-TELLING.

There are very few people who at some time or other have not had their fortunes told. There is something very fascinating to us all in trying to lift the veil of uncertainty that hides the future from our gaae. But very few would have the courage to attempt it if they really believed that what is predicted is absolutely certain to occur, and that those wha profess to reveal the future are really emissaries of God or the devil, and all powerful at prophecy. It is the element of unbelief that surrounds it all that enables us to boldly confront the fortune-tellers, for if what they tell us does not meet with our approval we can easily take refuge in disbelief. However, the average fortune-teller is, as a rule, very encouraging in her prognostications. She (for it is generally a woman) rarely foretells any dreadful calamities, but confines herself to the favourite topics of love and marriage, varying it occasionally with a long journey "by land or water," which is safe enough considering human beings are not in the habit of taking aerial flights in search of husbands ; for whether they admit it or not, the girls who consult fortune-tellers are generally on the look-out for husbands. In- : deed, the whole performance would lose its charm if it were robbed of its sine q\va non, the lover. They are wonderful people these fortunetellers, endowed with vast inventive faculties, and equally blessed with the " gift of the gab." This was exemplified not long ago, when an elderly spinster (who, to use an old Devonshire expression, " was behind the door when good looks were given out)" went tojhave her fortune told. The wily sorceress informed her that " if not married already she very soon would be." What v* onderf ul diplomacy was shown in this remark I But as it happened, the prophetesswas not far wrong, for the spinster in question, being endowed with this world's goods in lieu of Nature's gifts, succeeded at last in finding a man willing to relieve her of her wealth and endow her with his name. As a rule men are not so partial to fortunetellers as the fair sex. The natural vanity of men will not permit of the belief in the ability of a woman to foretell their future ; but when a phrenologist undertakes to examine their learned heads, they come to the front as thick as blackberries. To tell the truth, a phrenologist would be more likely to predict correctly than a gipsy or so-called fortune-teller, from the simple fact that he understands his subject, whereas with the others itls mostly guesswork. Besides, phrenology certainly shows truthfully the characteristic qualities of the individual, and enables him in a measure to " command his fate," by either encouraging or discouraging certain qualities which he possesses, and which may be the means of landing him either at the top or the bottom -of life's ladder. Some people believe that the stars influence their fortunes ; hence the expression, " Born under a lucky star." Othars believe in palmistry, and think that the length of their days, their marriage, and future olive branches are all written in their hands. In fact there is very little that people will not believe, from the Westminster Confession downwards 1 After that everything else is child's play. But life would be tame indeed if we could not give reins to our imagination sometimes, and although " there is a Providence that shapes our ends, rough hew them how we will," yet there is no harm in amusing ourselves by fancying that our destinies are ruled by the stars, or our fortunes written in our hands, or foretold by a pack of cards. One must have excitement of some kind. As the French say, "11 faut l'amuser." When it is all said and done we cannot change the current of our lives ; and all the excitement of living would bo done away with if it were not for the delightful ignorance of its future which surrounds each individual soul. How many of us would lay down our oars if we knew that all our rowing would never bring us to the desired haven 1 And even if in the distance the millennium loomed we should only cry " Che sar;\, sarsl," and cease to struggle manfully on. If there were such a thing as a magic looking glass, where each one that looked could see his whole life Jaid out before him, there would be very few who would have the courage to stand before it ; and if any did so no doubt they would regret it. Saul, when he consulted the witch of Endor, must have deeply regretted bring so inquisitive, and whether the next day found his soul in Paradise or Hades, or wherever the various commentaries consign it, no doubt he wished he bad not not been so curious. The wonder is he had any courage left to fight at all, poor man. The best way is to be our own fortune, tellers. So let us, as far as in us lies, carve out our futures by our acts, thus showing that — Man is his own star, and the soul that can Bender an honest and a perfect man Commands all light, all influence, and all fate. Nothing to him falls eaily or too late, Our nets our angels are or good or ill, i Our fatal shad- ■■ s t.at walk by us still.