| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Essays of Travel by Robert Louis Stevenson: of these has done something to the eternal praise and memory of these
woods. Even at the very worst of times, even when the picturesque
was anathema in the eyes of all Persons of Taste, the forest still
preserved a certain reputation for beauty. It was in 1730 that the
Abbe Guilbert published his HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PALACE,
TOWN, AND FOREST OF FONTAINEBLEAU. And very droll it is to see him,
as he tries to set forth his admiration in terms of what was then
permissible. The monstrous rocks, etc., says the Abbe 'sont admirees
avec surprise des voyageurs qui s'ecrient aussitot avec Horace: Ut
mihi devio rupee et vacuum nemus mirari libet.' The good man is not
exactly lyrical in his praise; and you see how he sets his back
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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 Girl with the Golden Eyes by Honore de Balzac: Such was the story of the young man who, about the middle of the month
of April, 1815, was walking indolently up the broad avenue of the
Tuileries, after the fashion of all those animals who, knowing their
strength, pass along in majesty and peace. Middle-class matrons turned
back naively to look at him again; other women, without turning round,
waited for him to pass again, and engraved him in their minds that
they might remember in due season that fragrant face, which would not
have disadorned the body of the fairest among themselves.
"What are you doing here on Sunday?" said the Marquis de Ronquerolles
to Henri, as he passed.
"There's a fish in the net," answered the young man.
The Girl with the Golden Eyes |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Secrets of the Princesse de Cadignan by Honore de Balzac: melancholy.
"And judge," she cried, suddenly lifting herself with a spring and
raising her hand, while lightning flashed from eyes where twenty
chaste years shone--"judge of the impression the love of a man like
Michel must have made upon me. But by some irony of fate--or was it
the hand of God?--well, he died; died in saving the life of, whom do
you suppose? of Monsieur de Cadignan. Are you now surprised to find me
thoughtful?"
This was the last drop; poor d'Arthez could bear no more. He fell upon
his knees, and laid his head on Diane's hand, weeping soft tears such
as the angels shed,--if angels weep. As Daniel was in that bent
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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 Mistress Wilding by Rafael Sabatini: fearlessly. "And I swear that the letter in question was addressed to
Mr. Wilding."
"As you will," said Trenchard, and was careful not to ask her how she
came by her knowledge. "The letter, no doubt, was in an outer wrapper,
on which there would be a superscription - the name of the person to
whom the letter was addressed?" he half questioned, and Luttrell, who
saw the drift of the question, nodded gravely.
"No doubt," said Ruth.
"Now you will acknowledge, I am sure, madam, that such a wrapper would
be a document of the greatest importance, as important, indeed, as the
letter itself, since we could depend upon it finally to clear up this
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