I use the "master method" as described by P. Foli in Fortune Telling with Cards, The meanings of the various positions are quite different from the meanings of the Lenormand card numbers. The GT is still read using the method of distance. It's a great little book that covers cartomancy. The chapter that discusses the Master Method expands on the meanings of each position in relation to the various playing card suits which adds another degree of depth to the meaning of the cards that land on the various positions.
I would like to find the origin of the reading of Lenormand houses with the assigned meanings being the same as the numbered cards, as there was no mention of houses in the PL sheet.
On the origins see my post here:
http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=250188
Etrennes nouvelles de l'horoscope de l'homme et de la femme" By M. G. D. R., published by G. Quinet, Libraire, dans la Salle du Palaise, uses an expanded piquet set of 36 cards, and a 9x4 spread.
The names of the positions in the 1788 9x4 spread:
1 projet; 2 satisfaction; 3 reussite; 4 esperance; 5 hazard; 6 desir; 7 injustice; 8 ingratitude; 9 association; 10 perte; 11 peine; 12 etat; 13 joie; 14 amour; 15 prosperite; 16 mariage; 17 affliction; 18 jouissance; 19 heritage; 20 trahison; 21 rival; 22 present; 23 amant; 24 elevation; 25 bienfait merite; 26 enterprise; 27 changement; 28 death; 29 recompense; 30 disgrace; 31 bonheur; 32 fortune; 33 indifference; 34 faveur; 35 ambition; 36 maladie.
L'Oracle Parfait 1875 is a copy of the 1788 text, but reports it as being as 'after Mlle Lenormand' :
1, projet; 2, satisfaction; 3, réussite; 4, espérance; 5, hasard; 6, désir; 7, injustice; 8, ingratitude; 9, association; 10, perte; 11, peine; 12, état; 13, joie; 14, amour; 15, prospérité; 16, mariage; 17, affliction; 18, jouissance; 19, héritage; 20, trahison; 21, rival; 22, présent; 23, amant; 24, élévation; 25, bienfait; 26, entreprise; 27, changement; 28, fin; 29, récompense; 30, disgrâce; 31, bonheur; 32, fortune; 33, indifférence; 34, faveur; 35, ambition, 36, indisposition.
The positions according to the Master Method in Foli:
No. 1. Project in hand. No. 2. Satisfaction. No. 3. Success. No. 4. Hope. No. 5. Chance. Luck. No. 6. Wishes. Desire. No. 7. Injustice. No. 8. Ingratitude. No. 9. Association. No. 10. Loss. No. 11. Trouble.
No. 12. State or Condition. No. 13. Joy. No. 14. Love. No. 15. Prosperity. No. 16. Marriage. No. 17. Sorrow. Affliction. No. 18. Pleasure. Enjoyment. No. 19. Inheritance. Property. No. 20. Fraud. Deceit. No. 21. Rivals. No. 22. A Present. Gift. No. 23. Lover. No. 24. Advancement. A Rise in the world. No. 25. Kindness. A Good Turn. No. 26. Undertaking. Enterprise. No. 27. Changes. No. 28. The End (of Life). No. 29. Rewards. No. 30. Misfortune. Disgrace. No. 31. Happiness. No. 32. Money. Fortune. No. 33. Indifference. No. 34. Favour. No. 35. Ambition. No. 36. Ill-health. Sickness.