| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Juana by Honore de Balzac: dealt to his self-appreciation, and fault after fault he committed. In
the first place he had to struggle against his own habits and
character. A passionate Provencal, frank in his vices as in his
virtues, this man whose fibres vibrated like the strings of a harp,
was all heart to his former friends. He succored the shabby and
spattered man as readily as the needy of rank; in short, he accepted
everybody, and gave his hand in his gilded salons to many a poor
devil. Observing this on one occasion, a general of the empire, a
variety of the human species of which no type will presently remain,
refused his hand to Diard, and called him, insolently, "my good
fellow" when he met him. The few persons of really good society whom
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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 Contrast by Royall Tyler: her face counterbalances it."
Enter JESSAMY with letters.
DIMPLE
Where got you these, Jessamy?
JESSAMY
Sir, the English packet is arrived.
DIMPLE opens and reads a letter enclosing notes.
"Sir,
"I have drawn bills on you in favour of Messrs.
Van Cash and Co. as per margin. I have taken up
your note to Col. Piquet, and discharged your debts
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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 Koran: and more hidden still.
God, there is no god but He! His are the excellent names.
Has the story of Moses come to thee? When he saw the fire and said
to his family, 'Tarry ye; verily, I perceive a fire! Haply I may bring
you therefrom a brand, or may find guidance by the fire.' And when
he came to it he was called to, 'O Moses! verily, I am thy Lord, so
take off thy sandals; verily, thou art in the holy valley Tuva, and
I have chosen thee. So listen to what is inspired thee; verily, I am
God, there is no god but Me! then serve Me, and be steadfast in prayer
to remember Me.
'Verily, the hour is coming, I almost make it appear, that every
The Koran |
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 Westward Ho! by Charles Kingsley: "The grapes are sour, lad."
"And will be to the end," said Amyas, "if they come off such a
devil's tree as that. I really think you are out of your mind,
Captain Raleigh, at times."
"I wish I were; for it is a troublesome, hungry, windy mind as man
ever was cursed withal. But come in, lad. We were sent from the
lord deputy to bid thee to supper. There is a dainty lump of dead
horse waiting for thee."
"Send me some out, then," said matter-of-fact Amyas. "And tell his
lordship that, with his good leave, I don't stir from here till
morning, if I can keep awake. There is a stir in the fort, and I
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