| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin: which he had given bond to observe. He, however, having done it
at the instance of the General, and for His Majesty's service,
and having some powerful interest at court, despis'd the threats
and they were never put in execution. . . . [Unfinished].
CHIEF EVENTS IN FRANKLIN'S LIFE
[Ending, as it does, with the year 1757, the autobiography leaves
important facts un-recorded. It has seemed advisable, therefore, to
detail the chief events in Franklin's life, from the beginning, in
the following list:
1706 He is born, in Boston, and baptized in the Old South Church.
1714 At the age of eight, enters the Grammar School.
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Oedipus Trilogy by Sophocles: He passes for an alien in the land
But soon shall prove a Theban, native born.
And yet his fortune brings him little joy;
For blind of seeing, clad in beggar's weeds,
For purple robes, and leaning on his staff,
To a strange land he soon shall grope his way.
And of the children, inmates of his home,
He shall be proved the brother and the sire,
Of her who bare him son and husband both,
Co-partner, and assassin of his sire.
Go in and ponder this, and if thou find
Oedipus Trilogy |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Commission in Lunacy by Honore de Balzac: have acquired and bequeathed to my children; but our house will have
lost nothing; my boys will be men of mark. Though I have missed the
senatorship, they will win it nobly by devoting themselves to the
affairs of the country, and doing such service as is not soon
forgotten. While purifying the past record of my family, I have
insured it a glorious future; and is not that to have achieved a noble
task, though in secret and without glory?--And now, monsieur, have you
any other explanations to ask me?"
At this instant the tramp of horses was heard in the courtyard.
"Here they are!" said the Marquis. In a moment the two lads,
fashionably but plainly dressed, came into the room, booted, spurred,
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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 Pathology of Lying, Etc. by William and Mary Healy: period preceding admission. Her statements, too, were probably
not altogether truthful, but frequently a reason for the
untruthfulness was made out. She thought that her mind was all
right, but complained of having occasional difficulty in
thinking.''
Another prolonged study of her mental status was made four years
ago. From the record we learn that there were no apparent
reactions to hallucinations. Consciousness was clear and the
patient was completely oriented for time, place, and persons.
The train of thought was coherent and relevant. Questions were
readily answered and attention easily held. Memory was fair for
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