| 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: things on their practical side. I did not marry my husband, whom I
loved, until I had convinced myself, by putting him to the test, that
he was worthy of my esteem. I don't make life; I take it as it comes,
--trying to put order and /possibility/ into all the occurrences it
brings to me. I an neither the frenzied passion of Louise de Chaulieu,
nor the insensible reason of Renee de Maucombe. I am a Jesuit in
petticoats, persuaded that rather wide sleeves are better than sleeves
that are tight to the wrist; and I have never gone in search of the
philosopher's stone--"
At this instant Lucas opened the door of the salon and announced,--
"Monsieur le Comte de Sallenauve."
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Aesop's Fables by Aesop: Mask such as actors use to put over their face. "Ah," said the
Fox, "you look very fine; it is a pity you have not got any
brains."
Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.
The Jay and the Peacock
A Jay venturing into a yard where Peacocks used to walk, found
there a number of feathers which had fallen from the Peacocks when
they were moulting. He tied them all to his tail and strutted
down towards the Peacocks. When he came near them they soon
discovered the cheat, and striding up to him pecked at him and
plucked away his borrowed plumes. So the Jay could do no better
Aesop's Fables |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Criminal Sociology by Enrico Ferri: pietism and religious penitence which always goes with it; but it
is open to strong criticism.
There has already been, amongst the same prison experts, a
certain retrogressive movement in regard to isolation. Absolute
and continued isolation, indeed, both by day and by night
(``solitary confinement'') was at first recommended, even to the
introduction, grotesque in spite of good intentions, of hoods and
masks for the prisoners, a medival reminiscence almost
parallel with the Brothers of Pity in some Italian towns, for help
to the wounded. Presently it was seen that this sort of thing
certainly could not assist in the amendment of the guilty, and
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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 Gobseck by Honore de Balzac: he said, "I released you from all need to feel any gratitude by giving
you ground for the belief that you owed me nothing."--So we are the
best friends in the world. That answer, monsieur, gives you the man
better than any amount of description.'
" 'I have made up my mind once and for all,' said the Count. 'Draw up
the necessary papers; I am going to transfer my property to Gobseck. I
have no one but you to trust to in the draft of the counter-deed,
which will declare that this transfer is a simulated sale, and that
Gobseck as trustee will administer my estate (as he knows how to
administer), and undertakes to make over my fortune to my eldest son
when he comes of age. Now, sir, this I must tell you: I should be
Gobseck |
