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LOVER'S TEST

A maid and youth each places a chestnut to roast on fire, side by side. If one hisses and steams, it indicates a fretful temper in owner of chestnut; if both chestnuts equally misbehave it augurs strife. If one or both pop away, it means separation; but if both burn to ashes tranquilly side by side, a long life of undisturbed happiness will be lot of owners.

These portentous omens are fitly defined in the following lines:

"These glowing nuts are emblems true Of what in human life we view;
The ill-matched couple fret and fume, And thus in strife themselves consume; Or from each other wildly start, And with a noise forever part.
But see the happy, happy pair,
Of genuine love and truth sincere; With mutual fondness while they burn, Still to each other kindly turn; And as the vital sparks decay,
Together gently sink away;
Till life's fierce trials being past, Their mingled ashes rest at last."