The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 264: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE STEAM PACKET. 199 making herself previously acquainted with the characters and deeds of those who consulted her, she was emboldened to predict of the future according to the past; and as men, as well as nations, prepare their own destinies by their own conduct and passions, it was not very difficult for a woman of profound observation, infinite tact, and acute judgment, to foresee the paths into which the natures of individuals were certain to conduct their footsteps. She was, moreover, an ex- cellent politician, well versed in the history of all nations, and skilled in reading the depths of the human mind beneath the:outward polish, hypocritical gloss, or conventional bearing which those who visited her were accustomed to assume. ‘Then, again, she had another cir- cumstance in her favour: the minds of those upon whom her predic- tions made an impression like that of a religious awe, subsequently viewed everything through the mirror of the new light opened to it, and shaped its thoughts according to the destiny to which it believed itself to be tending. These thoughts modelled the actions of man in theirturn; and thus the very presages which issued from the lips of the sorceress, became in numerous instances the very-springs of action that conducted individuals onwards to the goal to which it was pre- dicted that they should arrive. The more gloomy became the face of political affairs, the more con- fidently did Mademoiselle Lendrmand utter her prophecies concern- -ing the coming revolution—the destruction of the existing organisation of society—the ruin of altars, and the horrors of the guillotine. She knew that the day of popular supremacy would be that of retribution ; and thatthe proud oligarchy which had so long trampled upon the most sacred rights and holy privileges of the people, would be at once the objects of vengeance and fury. She accordingly prophesied of streams of blood—and crowded prisons—and exiled nobles—and slaughtered priests,—ruined thrones, and dismantled churches,—and the levelling of all ancient superstitions along with all ancient abuses. Ina short time she was looked upon as a Pythoness, on whose tongue truth alone might dwell; and wealth poured in upon her from all sides. Such was the person whom Henri felt inclined to consult; and Pauline immediately assented to the proposition. It will be'recollected that in her childhood, at the little cottage near Calais, she had not ap- proved of the freak of the volatile Josephine Tascher, who allowed her fortune to be told to her by an old gipsy; but she was now so far altered by the superstitious influence exercised upon her mind by the mysterious presentiment of a family danger which she constantly entertained, that she felt something akin to her own feelings in the religious awe which accompanied the consultation of Mademoiselle — "EOMICHDOOKS ((0)