| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Charmides by Plato: notwithstanding many accidents of time and place, the spirit of Greek
philosophy. There is, however, no continuous growth of the one into the
other, but a new beginning, partly artificial, partly arising out of the
questionings of the mind itself, and also receiving a stimulus from the
study of ancient writings.
Considering the great and fundamental differences which exist in ancient
and modern philosophy, it seems best that we should at first study them
separately, and seek for the interpretation of either, especially of the
ancient, from itself only, comparing the same author with himself and with
his contemporaries, and with the general state of thought and feeling
prevalent in his age. Afterwards comes the remoter light which they cast
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Lesson of the Master by Henry James: little sideways he leaned back against the opposite arm with his
hands raised and interlocked behind his head. "On the supposition
that a certain perfection's possible and even desirable - isn't it
so? Well, all I say is that one's children interfere with
perfection. One's wife interferes. Marriage interferes."
"You think then the artist shouldn't marry?"
"He does so at his peril - he does so at his cost."
"Not even when his wife's in sympathy with his work?"
"She never is - she can't be! Women haven't a conception of such
things."
"Surely they on occasion work themselves," Paul objected.
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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 Trooper Peter Halket of Mashonaland by Olive Schreiner: away to the coloured boys, and letting the other fellows have his dot of
brandy at night; and keeping himself sort of apart to himself, you know.
The other fellows think he's got a touch of fever on, caught wandering
about in the long grass that day. But I don't think it's that; I think
it's being alone in the veld that's got hold of him. Man, have you ever
been out like that, alone in the veld, night and day, and not a soul to
speak to? I have; and I tell you, if I'd been left there three days longer
I'd have gone mad or turned religious. Man, it's the nights, with the
stars up above you, and the dead still all around. And you think, and
think, and think! You remember all kinds of things you've never thought of
for years and years. I used to talk to myself at last, and make believe it
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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 Madame Firmiani by Honore de Balzac: sole heir? Let me tell you that in the olden time we stood in awe of
such uncles as that. Come, speak up, what fault have you to find with
me? Haven't I played my part as uncle properly? Did I ever require you
to respect me? Have I ever refused you money? When did I shut the door
in your face on pretence that you had come to look after my health?
Haven't you had the most accommodating and the least domineering uncle
that there is in France,--I won't say Europe, because that might be
too presumptuous. You write to me, or you don't write,--no matter, I
live on pledged affection, and I am making you the prettiest estate in
all Touraine, the envy of the department. To be sure, I don't intend
to let you have it till the last possible moment, but that's an
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