The Square of Sevens | Page 4

drawing-room.
What we read of thus as carefully put together, conscientiously printed as a thing to be taken with seriousness, in its author's time, may in our social day serve a lighter end--and entertain the parlor, rather than awe the boudoir. With this intent, as well as in offering something of a literary curio, the present Editor assists it toward the glimpses of--not the moon, but the electric chandelier. And its Nineteenth-Century sponsor hopes that many curious and pleasant "fortunes" may be read by it; and that in its pages the ominous Spade, the mischief-working "Influencing-Card," the stern "Master-Card," the evil "Female or Male Enemy," and the "Vain and Amoratious Man" (who must be ever, indeed, a terrible combination to endure) may not be frequently encountered--in any case, that along with many other troubles and trials, such unpleasing meetings may not come outside the vagaries of a pack of cards.
E. IRENAEUS STEVENSON.
New York, 1896.

BRADAMANTE. But is this authentic? Is it an original? Is it a true, original thing, sir?
GRADASSO (making a leg). Madam, 'tis as authentic as very authenticity itself--'tis truth's kernel, originality's core--provided you are but willing to believe it such.
BRADAMANTE. Sir, you quibble.
GRADASSO (making a leg). Madam, 'tis precisely in my vocation to quibble,--and delicately.
From The Superglorious Life and Death of Prince Artius: A Tragedy. Act LI., sc. li.

THE SQUARE OF SEVENS

Of the Preparing of the "Square of Sevens" from which is made the Parallelogram; with the due Shuffles, Deals, and Disposals thereto.
Take a Pack of Fifty-Two Cards, Shuffle the same well, Seven times. Then present the Pack to the Person whose Queries you seek to answer, who accordingly shall be called your Querist. Therewith must your Querist chuse from the Pack, without seeing the cards in it--three several Cards, which are to be called his Wish-Cards; the same being chosen with a Cut between each Choice. The Querist must not seek to see these same Wish-Cards; they are to be laid apart on the Table, or left to Repose in the Querist's care, till all that followeth of the Square, the Parallelogram, and the Reading be ended.
Of the Dealing of a First Seven Cards.
Again take in hand your Pack and Shuffle it yet smartly, there being Forty-nine Cards now left in it. Proceed next earnestly to Deal them forth on the table in the following Order and Manner, and without first seeing their Faces. And be solicitous of laying them down just as they shall come, Faces upward, in a Downward and Oblique Line; taking them from the Topmost of the Pack until you have laid forth Seven, Cards. And while you cruise and lay down the same, and indeed during all that here ensueth of Directions for your following, avoid foolish Conversation and sottish Pleasantries with those about you;
---- | 1 | | | ---- ---- | 2 | | | ---- ---- | 3 | | | ---- ---- | 4 | | | ---- ---- | 5 | | | ---- ---- | 6 | | | ---- ---- | 7 | FIG. 1 | | ----
having your mind serious to your task. (Fig. I.)
Shuffle again; and therewith from the store of the Pack add to the above Seven Cards, a Dealing of Six more, to be taken from the Bottom of the
---- ---- | | 13 | | | | ---- ---- ---- | | 12 | | | | ---- ---- ---- | | 11 | | | | ---- ---- ---- | | 10 | | | | ---- ---- ---- | | 9 | | | | ---- ---- ---- | | 8 | | | | ---- ---- | | FIG. 2 | | ----
Pack, chusing these also without knowledge of Suits or Values. They shall be laid in an ascending Border of Six, to the Right Hand of your first Series. (Fig. 2.)
Again Shuffle; and deal out
---- ---- | | | | | | ---- ---- ---- ---- | 14 | | | | | | | ---- ---- ---- ---- | 15 | | | | | | | ---- ---- ---- ---- | 16 | | | | | | | ---- ---- ---- ---- | 17 | | | | | | | ---- ---- ---- ---- | 18 | | | | | | | ---- ---- ---- | 19 | | FIG. 3 | | | ---- ----
from the Top of the Pack Six other Cards laying them in a downward Border, leftward, to the thirteen already placed. (Fig. 3.)
Nineteen cards now face you in the Series. Shuffle again, and deal from the Bottom of the
---- ---- ---- | | | 24 | | | | | ---- ---- ---- ---- | | | | 23 | | | | | | ---- ----