| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Catherine de Medici by Honore de Balzac: and were talking of trifles. Babette asked once or twice where
Christophe could be, and the father and mother of the young Huguenot
gave evasive answers; but when the two families were seated at table,
and the two servants had retired to the kitchen, Lecamus said to his
future daughter-in-law:--
"Christophe has gone to court."
"To Blois! Such a journey as that without bidding me good-bye!" she
said.
"The matter was pressing," said the old mother.
"Crony," said the furrier, resuming a suspended conversation. "We are
going to have troublous times in France. The Reformers are bestirring
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Persuasion by Jane Austen: to her friends to be involving the Harvilles in such trouble,
did not admit a doubt. Her removal was impossible. The Harvilles
silenced all scruples; and, as much as they could, all gratitude.
They had looked forward and arranged everything before the others
began to reflect. Captain Benwick must give up his room to them,
and get another bed elsewhere; and the whole was settled.
They were only concerned that the house could accommodate no more;
and yet perhaps, by "putting the children away in the maid's room,
or swinging a cot somewhere," they could hardly bear to think of not
finding room for two or three besides, supposing they might wish to stay;
though, with regard to any attendance on Miss Musgrove, there need not be
Persuasion |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Legend of Montrose by Walter Scott: in your person."
"Truly, my noble lord," said Dalgetty, "I have no desire that my
return should put any stop to so proper and becoming an
intention; verily it is in no shape in the Earl of Argyle's
favour or mercy that I now stand before you, and I shall be no
intercessor for him. But my escape is, under Heaven, and the
excellent dexterity which, as an old and accomplished cavalier, I
displayed in effecting the same,--I say, under these, it is owing
to the assistance of this old Highlander, whom I venture to
recommend to your lordship's special favour, as the instrument of
saving your lordship's to command, Dugald Dalgetty of
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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 Young Forester by Zane Grey: tiny brown beetles, somewhat the shape of a pinching-bug, only very much
smaller.
"There! You'd hardly think that that great tree was killed by a lot of
little bugs, would you? They girdle the trees and prevent the sap from
flowing."
I found an old chestnut which contained nests of the deadly white moths,
and explained how it laid its eggs, and how the caterpillars that came from
them killed the trees by eating the leaves. I showed how mice and squirrels
injured the forest by eating the seeds.
"First I'd cut and sell all the matured and dead timber. Then I'd thin out
the spreading trees that want all the light, and the saplings that grow too
The Young Forester |
