| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Some Reminiscences by Joseph Conrad: absurd, but almost inconceivable, in a purely spectacular
universe, where no such disagreeable necessity can possibly
arise. It is sufficient for me to say (and I am saying it at
some length in these pages): "J'ai vecu." I have existed,
obscure amongst the wonders and terrors of my time, as the Abbe
Sieyes, the original utterer of the quoted words, had managed to
exist through the violences, the crimes, and the enthusiasms of
the French Revolution. "J'ai vecu", as I apprehend most of us
manage to exist, missing all along the varied forms of
destruction by a hair's-breadth, saving my body, that's clear,
and perhaps my soul also, but not without some damage here and
Some Reminiscences |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Smalcald Articles by Dr. Martin Luther: though heaven and earth, and whatever will not abide, should
sink to ruin. For there is none other name under heaven, given
among men whereby we must be saved, says Peter, Acts 4, 12.
And with His stripes we are healed, Is. 53, 5. And upon this
article all things depend which we teach and practice in
opposition to the Pope, the devil, and the [whole] world.
Therefore, we must be sure concerning this doctrine, and not
doubt; for otherwise all is lost, and the Pope and devil and
all things gain the victory and suit over us.
Article II: Of the Mass.
That the Mass in the Papacy must be the greatest and most
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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 Don Quixote by Miquel de Cervantes: address, Letter for my lady the Duchess So-and-so, of I don't know
where; and the other To my husband Sancho Panza, governor of the
island of Barataria, whom God prosper longer than me. The duchess's
bread would not bake, as the saying is, until she had read her letter;
and having looked over it herself and seen that it might be read aloud
for the duke and all present to hear, she read out as follows.
TERESA PANZA'S LETTER TO THE DUCHESS.
The letter your highness wrote me, my lady, gave me great
pleasure, for indeed I found it very welcome. The string of coral
beads is very fine, and my husband's hunting suit does not fall
short of it. All this village is very much pleased that your
Don Quixote |
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 Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini: but to make you; and I have done so. Continue as you have begun,
and you will end in Paris. You may yet tread the stage of the
Comedie Francaise, the rival of Talma, Fleury, and Dugazon. When
that happens to you perhaps you will feel the gratitude that is due
to old Binet, for you will owe it all to this soft-hearted old fool."
"If you were as good an actor on the stage as you are in private,"
said Scaramouche, "you would yourself have won to the Comedie
Francaise long since. But I bear no rancour, M. Binet." He laughed,
and put out his hand.
Binet fell upon it and wrung it heartily.
"That, at least, is something," he declared. "My boy, I have great
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