| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Europeans by Henry James: "Are we very sure that we need a foreign house?" Mr. Wentworth inquired.
"Do you think it desirable to establish a foreign house--in this quiet place?"
"You speak," said Acton, laughing, "as if it were a question
of the poor Baroness opening a wine-shop or a gaming-table."
"It would be too lovely!" Gertrude declared again, laying her hand
on the back of her father's chair.
"That she should open a gaming-table?" Charlotte asked,
with great gravity.
Gertrude looked at her a moment, and then, "Yes, Charlotte,"
she said, simply.
"Gertrude is growing pert," Clifford Wentworth observed, with his humorous
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Hiero by Xenophon: The brazen thresholds both sides did enfold
Silver pilasters, hung with gates of gold (Chapman).
Al. {pastasi}, = colonnades.
Next, as to armaments: Will you present a greater terror to the foe if
you appear furnished yourself from head to foot with bright emlazonrie
and horrent arms;[3] or rather by reason of the warlike aspect of a
whole city perfectly equipped?
[3] Or, "with armour curiously wrought a wonder and a dread." {oplois
tois ekpaglotatois}, most magnificent, awe-inspiring, a poetical
word which appears only in this passage in prose (Holden). L. & S.
cf. Hom. "Il."i. 146, xxi. 589, of persons; "Od." xiv. 552, of
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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 Cousin Betty by Honore de Balzac: political pretensions. He was as a man what his wife was as a woman.
He made up his mind to make the best of his Celestine--who certainly
did not realize his dreams--and was wise enough to estimate life at
its true value by contenting himself in all things with the second
best. He vowed to fulfil his duties, so much had he been shocked by
his father's example.
These feelings were confirmed as he stood by his mother's bed on the
day when she was out of danger. Nor did this happiness come single.
Claude Vignon, who called every day from the Prince de Wissembourg to
inquire as to Madame Hulot's progress, desired the re-elected deputy
to go with him to see the Minister.
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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 Pagan and Christian Creeds by Edward Carpenter: with cocked hat on my head and spy-glass under my arm,
roaming at my own sweet will up aloft, regardless of the
remonstrances which might reach me from below! Such was my
childish ideal. But a time came--needless to say--when I
conceived a different idea of the object of life.
It is said that John Tyndall, whose lectures on Science were
so much sought after in their time, being on one occasion in
New York was accosted after his discourse by a very successful
American business man, who urged him to devote his scientific
knowledge and ability to commercial pursuits, promising that
if he did so, he, Tyndall, would easily make "a big pile."
Pagan and Christian Creeds |
