| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Lesser Bourgeoisie by Honore de Balzac: who had then seen twenty-six years' service as a clerk in the ministry
of finance, became sub-director of a department thereof; but scarcely
had he enjoyed the subaltern authority of a position formerly his
lowest hope, when the events of July, 1830, forced him to resign it.
He calculated, shrewdly enough, that his pension would be honorably
and readily given by the new-comers, glad to have another office at
their disposal. He was right; for a pension of seventeen hundred
francs was paid to him immediately.
When the prudent sub-director first talked of resigning, his sister,
who was far more the companion of his life than his wife, trembled for
his future.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe: I was encouraged with this, and as I had my patron's ancient on
board, I made a waft of it to them, for a signal of distress, and
fired a gun, both which they saw; for they told me they saw the
smoke, though they did not hear the gun. Upon these signals they
very kindly brought to, and lay by for me; and in about three
hours; time I came up with them.
They asked me what I was, in Portuguese, and in Spanish, and in
French, but I understood none of them; but at last a Scotch sailor,
who was on board, called to me: and I answered him, and told him I
was an Englishman, that I had made my escape out of slavery from
the Moors, at Sallee; they then bade me come on board, and very
Robinson Crusoe |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Kenilworth by Walter Scott: woman puts on in very wantonness, that she may wear her night-
gear at noon, and lie on a settle when she should mind her
domestic business, is all here aimed at? Here is a learned man
will swear it to thee by the key of the Castle of Wisdom."
"I swear it," said Alasco, "that the elixir thou hast there in
the flask will not prejudice life! I swear it by that immortal
and indestructible quintessence of gold, which pervades every
substance in nature, though its secret existence can be traced by
him only to whom Trismegistus renders the key of the Cabala."
"An oath of force," said Varney. "Foster, thou wert worse than a
pagan to disbelieve it. Believe me, moreover, who swear by
Kenilworth |
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 Talisman by Walter Scott: their elasticity from this species of controversy. "Now, by the
Cross, on which I place my hope, her name shall be the last word
in my mouth, her image the last thought in my mind. Try thy
boasted strength on this bare brow, and see if thou canst prevent
my purpose."
"He will drive me mad!" said Richard, who, in his despite, was
once more staggered in his purpose by the dauntless determination
of the criminal.
Ere Thomas of Gilsland could reply, some bustle was heard
without, and the arrival of the Queen was announced from the
outer part of the pavilion.
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