| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Daughter of Eve by Honore de Balzac: tone of vengeance and turns sweet, poetic, consoling, gentle, without
apparent reason; he falls into inexplicable silences, or turns
somersets of wit, which at times are somewhat wearying. In society, he
is boldly awkward, and exhibits a contempt for conventions and a
critical air about things respected which makes him unpleasant to
narrow minds, and also to those who strive to preserve the doctrines
of old-fashioned, gentlemanly politeness; but for all that there is a
sort of lawless originality about him which women do not dislike.
Besides, to them, he is often most amiably courteous; he seems to take
pleasure in making them forget his personal singularities, and thus
obtains a victory over antipathies which flatters either his vanity,
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens: her to pass him. Then, as if the idea had but that moment
occurred to him, he turned hastily back and said in an agitated
voice:
'I beg pardon--do I address Miss Haredale?'
She stopped in some confusion at being so unexpectedly accosted by
a stranger; and answered 'Yes.'
'Something told me,' he said, LOOKING a compliment to her beauty,
'that it could be no other. Miss Haredale, I bear a name which is
not unknown to you--which it is a pride, and yet a pain to me to
know, sounds pleasantly in your ears. I am a man advanced in life,
as you see. I am the father of him whom you honour and distinguish
Barnaby Rudge |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Madam How and Lady Why by Charles Kingsley: not long ago.
But then, how was this land of Atlantis joined to the Cape of Good
Hope?
I cannot say how, or when either. But this is plain: the place
in the world where the most beautiful heaths grow is the Cape of
Good Hope? You know I showed you Cape heaths once at the nursery
gardener's at home.
Oh yes, pink, and yellow, and white; so much larger than ours.
Then it seems (I only say it seems) as if there must have been
some land once to the westward, from which the different sorts of
heath spread south-eastward to the Cape, and north-eastward into
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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 School For Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan: of address to gain the reputation of Benevolence without incurring
the expence.--The silver ore of pure Charity is an expensive article
in the catalogue of a man's good Qualities--whereas the sentimental
French Plate I use instead of it makes just as good a shew--and pays
no tax.
Enter ROWLEY
ROWLEY. Mr. Surface--your Servant: I was apprehensive of
interrupting you, tho' my Business demands immediate attention--
as this Note will inform you----
SURFACE. Always Happy to see Mr. Rowley--how--Oliver--Surface!--
My Unkle arrived!
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