Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 87, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 July 1899 — Told by the Finger Nails. [ARTICLE]

Told by the Finger Nails.

In the days when fortune telling was more In vogue than at present, the shape and appearance of the finger nails were looked on as having reference to one’s destiny. The nails were first rubbed over with a mixture of wax and soot, and, after being thus prepared, were held so that the sunlight fell fully upon them. On the horny, transparent substance were supposed to appear signs and characters from which the future could be Interpreted. Persons, too, with certain descriptions of nails were supposed to

possess certain characteristics. Thus, a man with red and shotted nails was of a fiery, hot-tempered disposition, while pale, lead-colored nails denoted a melancholy temperament. Ambitious and quarrelsome people were distinguished by narrow nails. Lovers of knowledge and liberal sentiment bad round-shaped nails. Conceited, obstinate and narrow-minded persons were possessed of small nails; lazy, Indolent individuals of fleshy nails, and those of a gentle, timid nature of broad nails.