Occult Science in the Chinese Quarter [pp. 160-169]

CHINESE OCCULT SCIENCE.
he did not speak; he required his sleep- And here fo4ows a list of a few of the
ing dress to be half as long again as his subjects concerning which he professes
body;" and many other trifles of a sim- to give information, viz.: "Trade; plans
ilar kind. His admirers contend that and hopes; removals; about selecting
most of these peculiarities were simply partners; seeking wealth; lawsuits;
because of his extreme desire to preserve health; buying servants; family mat "propriety" under all circumstances; ters; as to burial-places; about jour while most readers will be likely to see neying; as to when one's friends will
in them some indications of superstitious arrive, and how they are faring on the
notions lurking in the heart. way; in regard to sickness; what town
Without encumbering these pages to go to for trade; about going to work;
with dry details respecting the princi- about digging gold; about gambling;
ples and modes of operating in fortune- changing business or occupation.
telling, astrology, soothsaying, demon- "For information on either of these
ology, geomancy, etc., we will merely topics, separately, a charge of ten cents
give an example in each department; each. The price for revealing the des designed simply to illustrate the state of tiny by the face can not be fixed before Chinese life and ethics, as they exist in hand. [This, we infer, depends upon the
California. paying ability of the applicant.] For
writing out a chart of destiny: a brief
FORTUNE-TELLING.
one, half a dollar; a more extended one,
Near the corner of Jackson and Du- a full dollar.
pont streets may be seen a smallish, "We also write letters for people, as
cunning-looking man, seated on a stool they may dictate."
or chair, with a little table before him. No. 4 is his medical card; for he
On the table is a can containing a few seems to practice the healing art, as well
slips of wood, and on each slip is in- as tell fortunes:
scribed a Chinese character and a few "Ko Poi On [the doctor's own name,
cabalistic words; also, in a flat dish are or title] gratuitously cures external and
little rolls of red paper, on the inner side internal diseases of every variety, and
of which are similar characters or marks. those wonderful and difficult to be cured
He has writing materials; and there are by others.
cards lying on the table, which, being "Prescriptions, [written] and plasters,
translated, read as follows: pills, and powders [for sale].
Card No. I. "Good and evil fortune "The party having received an entire
have their exact [or prescribed] limits." cure, we will receive his thanks." [That
The reverse side reads: "Calamities is, we will receive such money, or other
and blessings do not come by mistake." gifts, as his gratitude may prompt him
No. 2. "Examining with deep pene- to present.]
tration, we understand the successes or This fortune-telling doctor once showdisasters of the future days." "Point- ed us, for inspection, a written agreeing out with perspicuity the period when ment between himself and a female patroubles and annoyances of long stand- tient, in which, in the event of his curing
ing will be turned to gladness and pros- her of a certain malady within a certain
perity." specified time, she obligates herself to
No. 3. "Fortunes told by means of the pay him the sum of fifty dollars.
eight diagrams; destinies determined by The "eight diagrams" are principally
a study of the face and hands: and all depended on by this professor in reveallike the gods" [as unerring as the gods]. ing future events, and in bringing to
i869.]
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