| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Unconscious Comedians by Honore de Balzac: fatalist."
"What luck! There's Maxime, with Canalis and Giraud," said Leon.
"Come along, friend Gazonal, the promised actors are mustering on the
stage," said Bixiou.
And all three advanced to the above-named personages, who seemed to be
sauntering along with nothing to do.
"Have they turned you out, or why are you idling about in this way?"
said Bixiou to Giraud.
"No, while they are voting by secret ballot we have come out for a
little air," replied Giraud.
"How did the prime minister pull through?"
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Prince Otto by Robert Louis Stevenson: 'Your Highness may reasonably be surprised,' he said; 'and Herr
Grafinski, although I am convinced he is clear of the intention of
offending, would have perhaps done better to begin with an
explanation. The resources of the state are at the present moment
entirely swallowed up, or, as we hope to prove, wisely invested. In
a month from now, I do not question we shall be able to meet any
command your Highness may lay upon us; but at this hour I fear that,
even in so small a matter, he must prepare himself for
disappointment. Our zeal is no less, although our power may be
inadequate.'
'How much, Herr Grafinski, have we in the treasury?' asked Otto.
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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 The School For Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan: censorious--an awkward Gawky, without any one good Point
under Heaven!
LADY SNEERWELL. Positively you shall not be so very severe.
Miss Sallow is a Relation of mine by marriage, and, as for
her Person great allowance is to be made--for, let me tell you
a woman labours under many disadvantages who tries to pass
for a girl at six-and-thirty.
MRS. CANDOUR. Tho', surely she is handsome still--and for the
weakness in her eyes considering how much she reads by candle-light
it is not to be wonder'd at.
LADY SNEERWELL. True and then as to her manner--upon my word
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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 The Deserted Woman by Honore de Balzac: life of busy gyrations in a cage. Then he began to feel the want of
variety, and grew tired of it. It was like the life of the cloister,
cut short before it had well begun. He drifted on till he reached a
crisis, which is neither spleen nor disgust, but combines all the
symptoms of both. When a human being is transplanted into an
uncongenial soil, to lead a starved, stunted existence, there is
always a little discomfort over the transition. Then, gradually, if
nothing removes him from his surroundings, he grows accustomed to
them, and adapts himself to the vacuity which grows upon him and
renders him powerless. Even now, Gaston's lungs were accustomed to the
air; and he was willing to discern a kind of vegetable happiness in
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