| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Pupil by Henry James: day. They continued to "chivey," as Morgan called it, and in due
time became aware of a variety of reasons for proceeding to Venice.
They mentioned a great many of them - they were always strikingly
frank and had the brightest friendly chatter, at the late foreign
breakfast in especial, before the ladies had made up their faces,
when they leaned their arms on the table, had something to follow
the demitasse, and, in the heat of familiar discussion as to what
they "really ought" to do, fell inevitably into the languages in
which they could tutoyer. Even Pemberton liked them then; he could
endure even Ulick when he heard him give his little flat voice for
the "sweet sea-city." That was what made him have a sneaking
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Herland by Charlotte Gilman: Be that as it might, they certainly presented a higher level of
active intelligence, and of behavior, than we had so far really
grasped. Having known in our lives several people who showed
the same delicate courtesy and were equally pleasant to live with,
at least when they wore their "company manners," we had assumed
that our companions were a carefully chosen few. Later we were
more and more impressed that all this gentle breeding was breeding;
that they were born to it, reared in it, that it was as natural
and universal with them as the gentleness of doves or the alleged
wisdom of serpents.
As for the intelligence, I confess that this was the most
Herland |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Maid Marian by Thomas Love Peacock: have had intimation of this part of my plan, for he brought
with him a large armed retinue, and took a circuitous route,
which made him, I believe, somewhat later than his appointed hour.
When the lapse of time showed me that he had taken another track,
I pursued him to the chapel; and I would have awaited the close
of the ceremony, if I had thought that either yourself or your
daughter would have felt desirous that she should have been
the bride of an outlaw."
"Who said, sir," cried the baron, "that we were desirous of any such thing?
But truly, sir, if I had a mind to the devil for a son-in-law, I would fain
see the man that should venture to interfere."
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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 Golden Sayings of Epictetus by Epictetus: character and behaviour both when by yourself and in company with
others. Let silence be your general rule; or say only what is
necessary and in few words. We shall, however, when occassion
demands, enter into discourse sparingly. avoiding common topics
as gladiators, horse-races, athletes; and the perpetual talk
about food and drink. Above all avoid speaking of persons, either
in way of praise or blame, or comparison.
If you can, win over the conversation of your company to
what it should be by your own. But if you find yourself cut off
without escape among strangers and aliens, be silent.
CLXV
The Golden Sayings of Epictetus |
