| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Charmides by Plato: something.
Yes, he said; the science of itself.
Is not medicine, I said, the science of health?
True.
And suppose, I said, that I were asked by you what is the use or effect of
medicine, which is this science of health, I should answer that medicine is
of very great use in producing health, which, as you will admit, is an
excellent effect.
Granted.
And if you were to ask me, what is the result or effect of architecture,
which is the science of building, I should say houses, and so of other
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from An Historical Mystery by Honore de Balzac: consolation to criminals. On this occasion the eagerness of the public
was what it has ever been and ever will be in trials of this kind, so
long as France refuses to recognize that the admission of the public
to the courts involves publicity, and that the publicity given to
trials is a terrible penalty which would never have been inflicted had
legislators reflected on it. Customs are often more cruel than laws.
Customs are the deeds of men, but laws are the judgment of a nation.
Customs in which there is often no judgment are stronger than laws.
Crowds surrounded the courtroom; the president was obliged to station
squads of soldiers to guard the doors. The audience, standing below
the bar, was so crowded that persons suffocated. Monsieur de
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