But in forming your opinions of men from these or other indications, you should always bear in mind that there is no rule without an exception.
FORTUNE-TELLING BY MOLES.
These little marks on the skin, although they appear to be the effect of chance, or accident, and might easily pass with the unthinking for things of no moment, are nevertheless of the utmost consequence, since from their color, situation, size, and figure, may be accurately gathered the temper of, and the events that will happen to the person bearing them; though moles are, in their substances, nothing else than excrescences, or ebullitions which proceed from the state of the blood whilst the fœtus is confined in the womb, yet they are not given in vain, as they are generally characteristic of the disposition and temper of those that bear them; and it is also proved by daily experience, that from the shape, situation, and other circumstances, they bear a strong analogy to the events which are to happen to a person in future life. But before I presume to give any directions to those who are to form the prognostic, who are desirous to be duly enabled to pronounce an infallible judgment, I shall, in the first place, teach you herein the common prognostications by moles found in the various parts of the body, according to the doctrine of the ancients. And, first, it is essentially necessary to know the size of the mole, its color, whether it be perfectly round, oblong, or angular; because each of these will add to or diminish the force of the indication. The larger the mole, the greater will be the prosperity or adversity of the person; the smaller the mole, the less will be his good or evil fate. If the mole is round, it indicates good; if oblong, a moderate share of fortunate events; if angular, it gives a mixture of good and evil; the deeper the color, the more it announces favor or disgrace; the lighter, the less of either. If it is very hairy, much misfortune may be expected; if but few long hairs grow upon it, it denotes that your undertakings will be prosperous.
We shall further remark only, that moles of a middling size and color are those which we are now going to speak of. The rest may be gathered from what we have just above mentioned, but as it may frequently happen that modesty will sometimes hinder persons from showing their moles, you must depend upon their own representation of them for your opinion.
SIGNIFICATION OF MOLES.
Arm. (Right or Left.) Show a courteous disposition, great fortitude, resolution, industry, and conjugal fidelity; it foretells that the person will fight many battles, and be successful in all; that you will be prosperous in your undertakings, obtain a decent competency, and live very happy—it denotes that a man will be a widower at forty, but in a woman it shows that she will be survived by her husband.
Ankle. Shows an effeminate disposition, given to foppery in dress, and cowardice in a man; but in a woman it denotes courage, wit, and activity—they foretell success in life with an agreeable partner, accumulation of honors and riches, and much pleasure in the affairs of love.
Anus. Around outside this place, a mole predicts that you will be indolent, shiftless and poor, though of good capacity.