| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Royalty Restored/London Under Charles II by J. Fitzgerald Molloy: much waste-paper. My lord bought a copy, carried it home, read
and sent it to Dryden, who, in due time returning the volume,
expressed his opinion of its merits in flattering terms. "The
author," said he, "cuts us all out--aye, even the ancients too."
Such instances as these were, however, few in number. That the
work did not meet with wider appreciation and quicker sale is not
surprising when it is called to mind that from 1623 to 1664 but
two editions of Shakespeare's works, comprising in all about one
thousand copies, had been printed. In an age when learning was
by no means universal, and polite reading uncommon, it was indeed
a scource of congratulation, rather than a topic for
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Purse by Honore de Balzac: indiscreet questions, or trying to incite him to any wish to
visit them. Their proceedings all bore the hall-mark of natural
refinement and good taste. Their noble and simple manners at
first made no great impression on the painter, but subsequently,
as he recalled all the details of the incident, he was greatly
struck by them.
When they reached the floor beneath that occupied by the
painter's studio, the old lady gently observed, "Adelaide, you
left the door open."
"That was to come to my assistance," said the painter, with a
grateful smile.
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Pupil by Henry James: "Without warning you? For what do you take me?" the young man
returned.
Mr. and Mrs. Moreen looked at each other; he could see that they
appreciated, as tending to their security, his superstition of
delicacy, and yet that there was a certain alarm in their relief.
"My dear fellow," Mr. Moreen demanded, "what use can you have,
leading the quiet life we all do, for such a lot of money?" - a
question to which Pemberton made no answer, occupied as he was in
noting that what passed in the mind of his patrons was something
like: "Oh then, if we've felt that the child, dear little angel,
has judged us and how he regards us, and we haven't been betrayed,
|
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 Golden Sayings of Epictetus by Epictetus: of Lamentation, or of Fire: but all things are full of Beings
spiritual and divine. With thoughts like these, beholding the
Sun, Moon, and Stars, enjoying earth and sea, a man is neither
helpless nor alone!
CLXXXIX
What wouldst thou be found doing when overtaken by Death? If
I might choose, I would be found doing some deed of true
humanity, of wide import, beneficent and noble. But if I may not
be found engaged in aught so lofty, let me hope at least for
this--what none may hinder, what is surely in my power--that I
may be found raising up in myself that which had fallen; learning
The Golden Sayings of Epictetus |
