| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Muse of the Department by Honore de Balzac: the elections, the dynastic nominations; now, in the event of Monsieur
de la Baudraye being won over to the Government, Sancerre would be
more than ever a rotten borough of royalism. Monsieur de Clagny, whose
talents and modesty were more and more highly appreciated by the
authorities, gave Monsieur de la Baudraye his support; he pointed out
that by raising this enterprising agriculturist to the peerage, a
guarantee would be offered to such important undertakings.
Monsieur de la Baudraye, then, a Count, a Peer of France, and
Commander of the Legion of Honor, was vain enough to wish to cut a
figure with a wife and handsomely appointed house.--"He wanted to
enjoy life," he said.
The Muse of the Department |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The United States Constitution: it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds
of that House, it shall become a law. But in all such Cases
the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays,
and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be
entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill
shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted)
after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law,
in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their
Adjournment prevent its Return, in which case it shall not be a Law.
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate
and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question
The United States Constitution |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte: Three days passed away, and he did not make his appearance. On the
afternoon of the fourth, as we were walking beside the park-palings
in the memorable field, each furnished with a book (for I always
took care to provide myself with something to be doing when she did
not require me to talk), she suddenly interrupted my studies by
exclaiming -
'Oh, Miss Grey! do be so kind as to go and see Mark Wood, and take
his wife half-a-crown from me - I should have given or sent it a
week ago, but quite forgot. There!' said she, throwing me her
purse, and speaking very fast - 'Never mind getting it out now, but
take the purse and give them what you like; I would go with you,
Agnes Grey |
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 Kenilworth by Walter Scott: veil? Ah! I see you are confused at the question, and your
Queen knows she should not look too deeply into her servants'
motives for their faithful duty, lest she see what might, or at
least ought to, displease her."
Relieved by these last words, Leicester broke out into a torrent
of expressions of deep and passionate attachment, which perhaps,
at that moment, were not altogether fictitious. The mingled
emotions which had at first overcome him had now given way to the
energetic vigour with which he had determined to support his
place in the Queen's favour; and never did he seem to Elizabeth
more eloquent, more handsome, more interesting, than while,
Kenilworth |
