PALMISTRY is classed by the law with certain other practices such as astrology, spiritualism, legerdemain, and so forth, when used as a means for telling fortunes, or for the purposes of any other form of deception or imposition. A palmist who intends to deceive and impose is legally a rogue and vagabond, for he comes within the scope of section 4 of 5 Geo. IV. c. 83 (Reg. v. Entwhtic). The intention to deceive and impose is now generally assumed by the courts in all cases where there is proof of the actual practice of palmistry ; and it does not really matter whether it it practised with a bond fide belief in it as a science, or gratuitously, or for gain. No one can therefore safely practise palmistry in this country, not withstanding any dicta in the above-mentioned case which would seem to permit it under certain circumstances. The section already referred to runs as follows : Every person . . . pretending or professing to tell fortunes or using any subtle craft, means, or device by palmistry or otherwise to deceive and impose on any of his Majesty's subjects . . . shall be deemed a rogue and vagabond within the true intent and meaning of this Act ; and it shall be lawful for any Justice of the Peace to commit such offender (being thereof convicted before him by the con fession of such offender or by the evidence on oath of one or more credible witness or witnesses) to the house of correction, there to be kept to hard labour for any time not exceeding three calendar months.
A apiritualist has been convicted under the Act, in Month v. Hilton, it having been found as a fact by the Court that he attempted to deceive and impose upon people by falsely pretending to have the supernatural faculty of obtaining from invisible agents and the spirits of the dea.d,
answers, messages, and manifestations of power. These answers and mani festations of power were really noises, raps, and the winding-up of a musical box. The case of an astrologid is that of Penny v. Hanson. There the offender had published advertisements in various newspapers offering to cast nativities, give yearly advice, and answer astrological questions. A detective applied to him in answer to the advertisement and received in reply a circular which, after a declaration that astrology was a science, stated : "By the position of the planets in the nativity and their aspects to each other, we are able to give the general descriptions of persons, the diseases liable to, health, mental abilities and disposition, the occupation most suitable, where and when successful, marriage, travelling, friends, &c., and the events of everyday life. Interviews are unnecessary; all that is required is the time of birth as near as possible ; day of week, clay of month, year, sex and birth place." To this was added a scale of charges. The astrologist never actually told anything to the detective, and there was no evidence to show whether or not he believed in the truth of his professions. He was nevertheless convicted under the above statute, and the conviction was upheld on appeal.