AN OMEN OF FIRE AND SMOKE. 289* 



was flame with it and not much smoke, and little harm 

 done. Upon this Cardan divined that the smoke signified 

 infamy, the fire peril and fear, the flame great and present 

 risk of life. The hidden fire represented dangerous snares- 

 laid by domestics. The fact that the bed had been set on- 

 fire by himself portended that the danger would arise- 

 within his own house, and that he should overcome it 

 without external help. The fire was the magistracy. 

 On account of the fire, flame, and smoke, the danger 

 would consist in accusation, not in violence or poison. Ifc 

 would seem to be often allayed, and yet often break out 

 again ; there would be peril, not from sharp contest, but 

 from flattery and bad faith, not without danger of the 

 loss of all his published books, of all his possessions; and,, 

 above all, of his life. The books, however, would not be 

 hurt; for they were near his bed, and the fire did not 1 

 approach them. He should not judicially lose character, 

 because none of the hangings were burnt; nor life, be- 

 cause the innermost parts of the bed were safe ; nor property,. 

 because the quilt had not been damaged. He concluded,- 

 therefore, that he should suffer in vulgar esteem, and bor 

 put to a considerable expense through negligently having 

 faith in false domestics. The citizens might enter into 

 the matter, for they were as it were conjoined. On the 

 whole the loss would be little, the danger moderate, the 

 disturbance great. 



VOL. II. U 



