y late years it has principally become "spiritualism" and the
fortune-tellers are oftener known as "mediums" than by the older
appellation; and scarcely one of the impostors but pretends to physic
the body as well as cure the soul; but the old leaven runs through all,
and all classes have some share in the speculation. Sooty negresses, up
dingy stairs, are consulted by ragged specimens of their own color, as
to the truth of the allegation that too much familiarity has been
exercised by an unauthorized "culled pusson" towards a certain wife or
husband,--or as to the availability of a certain combination of numbers
in a fifty cent investment at that exciting game known as "policies" or
"4-11-44," erewhile the peculiar province of that Honorable gentleman
who (more or less) wrote "Fort Lafayette." And, _per contra_, more
pretentious witches (the women have monopolized the trade almost
altogether, of late years) are consulted by fair girls who come in their
own carriages, as to the truth or availability of a lover or the
possibility of recovering lost affections or stolen property. How many
of those seeresses are "mediums" for the worst of communications, or how
many per centum of the habitues of such places go to eventual ruin, it
is not the purpose of this chapter to inquire.

There are three recognized "centres" in the loyal States--each a city,
and supposed to be an enlightened one. New York, the commercial,
monetary and even military centre; Boston, the literary and
intellectual; and Washington, the governmental and diplomatic. Taking up
at random the first three dailies of a certain date, at hand--one from
each of the three cities--the following regular advertisers are shown,
quoting from each of the three "astrology" columns and omitting the
directions.

New York: eleven. No. 1.--"Madame Wilson, a bona-fide astrologist, that
every one can depend on. Tells the object of your visit as soon as you
enter; tells of the past, present and future of your life, warns you of
danger, and brings success out of the most perilous undertakings.
N.B.--Celebrated magic charms." No. 2.--"Madame Morrow, seventh
daughter, has foresight to tell how soon and how often you marry, and
all you wish to know, even your thoughts, or no pay. Lucky charms free.
Her magic image is now in full operation." No. 3.--"The Gipsey Woman has
just arrived. If you wish to know all the secrets of your past and
future life, the knowledge of which will save y