| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Prince by Nicolo Machiavelli: and marshes that are, for instance, in Tuscany, have a certain
resemblance to those of other countries, so that with a knowledge of
the aspect of one country one can easily arrive at a knowledge of
others. And the prince that lacks this skill lacks the essential which
it is desirable that a captain should possess, for it teaches him to
surprise his enemy, to select quarters, to lead armies, to array the
battle, to besiege towns to advantage.
Philopoemen,[*] Prince of the Achaeans, among other praises which
writers have bestowed on him, is commended because in time of peace he
never had anything in his mind but the rules of war; and when he was
in the country with friends, he often stopped and reasoned with them:
The Prince |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Life of the Spider by J. Henri Fabre: lying in a state of complete inertia, numbed by the cold and by
lack of food. Well, the result is quite different. The instant
their cells are broken open, the anchorites run out and flee in
every direction as nimbly as at the best moments of their normal
liberty. It is marvellous to see them scampering about. No brood
of Partridges, stumbled upon by a Dog, scatters more promptly.
Chicks, while still no more than tiny balls of yellow fluff, hasten
up at the mother's call and scurry towards the plate of rice.
Habit has made us indifferent to the spectacle of those pretty
little animal machines, which work so nimbly and with such
precision; we pay no attention, so simple does it all appear to us.
The Life of the Spider |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Case of the Registered Letter by Grace Isabel Colbron and Augusta Groner: to have the Police Commissioner in G- read the letter in detail to
the attorney. But Muller himself knows that it failed of its effect,
so far as that dignitary was concerned. For nothing but open
ridicule could ever convince a man of such decided opinions that he
is not the one infallible person in the world.
But Albert Graumann had learned his lesson. And he told Muller
himself that the few days of life which might remain to him were a
gift to him from the detective. He felt that his weak heart would
not have stood the strain and the disgrace of an open trial, even
if that trial ended in acquittal. Two months later he was found
dead in his bed, a calm smile on his lips.
|
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 School For Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan: little Premium. What's the matter--my little Fellow?
SURFACE. So! He has been with you, too, has He--
CHARLES. To be sure He has! Why, 'tis as honest a little----
But sure Joseph you have not been borrowing money too have you?
SURFACE. Borrowing--no!--But, Brother--you know sure we expect
Sir Oliver every----
CHARLES. O Gad, that's true--Noll mustn't find the little Broker
here to be sure--
SURFACE. Yet Mr. Stanley insists----
CHARLES. Stanley--why his name's Premium--
SURFACE. No no Stanley.
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