| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Deputy of Arcis by Honore de Balzac: hold a knife at the throat of any minister to compel his nomination as
peer of France. At the present moment he saw that Time was getting the
better of him; for his lavish dissipations were beginning to wear upon
his person, as they had already worn out his divers fortunes. In spite
of his splendid exterior, he knew himself, and could not be deceived
about that self. He intended to "make an end"--to marry.
A man of acute mind, he was under no illusion as to the apparent
consideration in which he was held; he well knew it was false. No
women were truly on his side, either in the great world of Paris or
among the bourgeoisie. Much secret malignity, much apparent good-
humor, and many services rendered were necessary to maintain him in
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Parmenides by Plato: exist?
What thing?
The moment. For the moment seems to imply a something out of which change
takes place into either of two states; for the change is not from the state
of rest as such, nor from the state of motion as such; but there is this
curious nature which we call the moment lying between rest and motion, not
being in any time; and into this and out of this what is in motion changes
into rest, and what is at rest into motion.
So it appears.
And the one then, since it is at rest and also in motion, will change to
either, for only in this way can it be in both. And in changing it changes
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Disputation of the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences by Dr. Martin Luther: 5. [30] Nullus securus est de veritate sue contritionis,
multominus de consecutione plenarie remissionis.
6. [31] Quam rarus est vere penitens, tam rarus est vere
indulgentias redimens, i. e. rarissimus.
7. [32] Damnabuntur ineternum cum suis magistris, qui per literas
veniarum securos sese credunt de sua salute.
8. [33] Cavendi sunt nimis, qui dicunt venias illas Pape donum
esse illud dei inestimabile, quo reconciliatur homo deo.
9. [34] Gratie enim ille veniales tantum respiciunt penas
satisfactionis sacramentalis ab homine constitutas.
10. [35] Non christiana predicant, qui docent, quod redempturis
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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 An Old Maid by Honore de Balzac: popularly called modern civilization. Alencon, which up to 1816 could
boast of only two private carriages, saw, without amazement, in the
course of ten years, coupes, landaus, tilburies, and cabriolets
rolling through her streets. The burghers and the land-owners, alarmed
at first lest the price of everything should increase, recognized
later that this increase in the style of living had a contrary effect
upon their revenues. The prophetic remark of du Ronceret, "Du
Bousquier is a very strong man," was adopted by the whole country-
side.
But, unhappily for the wife, that saying has a double meaning. The
husband does not in any way resemble the public politician. This great
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