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PREFACE.

he terms it, on the subject, written in Latin by Dr. J. Rothman." Since that period the art of cheiromancy has gradually fallen into disuse, chiefly from the extensive nonsense published by recent writers. One of the writers makes a shallow attempt to disprove the connection which exists between astrology and palmistry, while another says it is based on the principles of the Kabalah, the latter being nothing more than a mnemonical system of astrology. From the writings of Dr. J. Rothman and Geo. Wharton, Esq., I propose now to give, together with some of the choicest of those of the East, the principal matter, and to explain in the ordinary language used by palmisters such points as may require elucidation. Mr. Wharton, a careful student in these subjects, clearly proves that palmistry can only act in accordance with astrology, and that the art of cheiromancy cannot be relied upon beyond the period of from one to two years at most, for he observes in his preface, "What more convincing than if, by inspection made into the hand of any man, I truly pronounce this or that planet essentially dignified or angular in his geniture, or in such or such a position with other planets or stars, another unfortunate, afflicted or defected? Or if, on the contrary, by looking first into the geniture and considering therein the several positions of