| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from An Unsocial Socialist by George Bernard Shaw: the job. Even the epitaph was not mine. If I had had my way I
should have written: "HENRIETTA JANSENIUS WAS BORN ON SUCH A
DATE, MARRIED A MAN NAMED TREFUSIS, AND DIED ON SUCH ANOTHER
DATE; AND NOW WHAT DOES IT MATTER WHETHER SHE DID OR NOT?" The
whole notion conveyed in the book that I rode rough-shod over
everybody in the affair, and only consulted my own feelings, is
the very reverse of the truth.
As to the tomfoolery down at Brandon's, which ended in Erskine
and myself marrying the young lady visitors there, I can only
congratulate you on the determination with which you have striven
to make something like a romance out of such very thin material.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Rescue by Joseph Conrad: high weather rail, a topping wave flung into their eyes a handful
of heavy drops that stung like hail. There were low groans of
indignation. A man sighed. Another emitted a spasmodic laugh
through his chattering teeth. No one moved away. The little
kassab wiped his face and went on in his cracked voice, to the
accompaniment of the swishing sounds made by the seas that swept
regularly astern along the ship's side.
"Have you heard him shout at the wind--louder than the wind? I
have heard, being far forward. And before, too, in the many years
I served this white man I have heard him often cry magic words
that make all safe. Ya-wa! This is truth. Ask Wasub who is a
The Rescue |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Legend of Montrose by Walter Scott: be, as I conceive, the long waste moor so called, that lies five
miles south of Aberdeen, I can tell him it was lately purchased
by Elias Strachan, as rank a rebel as ever swore the Covenant"
"The crop-eared hound!" said Captain Dalgetty, in a rage; "What
the devil gave him the assurance to purchase the inheritance of a
family of four hundred years standing?--CYNTHIUS AUREM VELLET,
as we used to say at Mareschal-College; that is to say, I will
pull him out of my father's house by the ears. And so, my Lord
Menteith, I am yours, hand and sword, body and soul, till death
do us part, or to the end of the next campaign, whichever event
shall first come to pass."
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The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from The Village Rector by Honore de Balzac: "Monseigneur," said the rector, "religion has had some heavy blows.
This return to ancient customs, brought about by the greatness of the
sin and its repentance, may it not be a triumph we have no right to
refuse?"
"But they will say we are fanatics! They will declare we have exacted
this cruel scene!"
And again the archbishop was silent and thoughtful.
At this moment Horace Bianchon and Roubaud entered the room, after
knocking. As the door opened Veronique saw her mother, her son, and
all the servants of the household on their knees praying. The rectors
of the two adjacent parishes had come to assist Monsieur Bonnet, and
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