| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Royalty Restored/London Under Charles II by J. Fitzgerald Molloy: lost no opportunity of insulting Nell, who responded by mimicry
and grimaces, which threw those who witnessed the comedy into
fits of laughter, and covered the wrathful duchess with
confusion.
But though the light-hearted actress frequently treated disdain
with ridicule, she could occasionally analyze the respective
positions held by herself and the duchess with seriousness,
Madame de Sevigne tells us, Nell would reason in this manner:
"This duchess pretends to be a person of quality: she affirms
she is related to the best families in France, and when any
person of distinction dies she puts herself in mourning. If she
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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 Reign of King Edward the Third by William Shakespeare: And presently they are as resty stiff,
As twere a many over ridden jades.
Then, French men, scorn that such should be your Lords,
And rather bind ye them in captive bands.
ALL FRENCHMEN.
Vive le Roy! God save King John of France!
KING JOHN.
Now on this plain of Cressy spread your selves,--
And, Edward, when thou darest, begin the fight.
[Exeunt King John, Charles, Philip, Lorrain, Boheme,
and Forces.]
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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 A Legend of Montrose by Walter Scott: remained behind in the chapel, and, walking up and down its
Gothic precincts, seemed either to be meditating on what he had
just been delivering, or preparing a fresh discourse for the next
opportunity. Bold as he was, Dalgetty hesitated what he ought to
do. Time, however, pressed, and every moment increased the
chance of their escape being discovered by the jailor visiting
the dungeon perhaps before his wonted time, and discovering the
exchange which had been made there. At length, whispering
Ranald, who watched all his motions, to follow him and preserve
his countenance, Captain Dalgetty, with a very composed air,
descended a flight of steps which led from the gallery into the
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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 Roads of Destiny by O. Henry: known to reverence it, even as an abstract principle. It is said there
have been a few who, in the matter of their affections, have
considered a life to be a small thing as compared with a lie. That I
do not know. But, I wonder, had Grandemont cast himself at her feet
crying that his hand had sent Victor to the bottom of that inscrutable
river, and that he could no longer sully his love with a lie, I wonder
if--I wonder what she would have done!
But, Grandemont Charles, Arcadian little gentleman, never guessed the
meaning of that look in Adele's eyes; and from this last bootless
payment of his devoirs he rode away as rich as ever in honour and
love, but poor in hope.
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