| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Enemies of Books by William Blades: attended by Archbishop Sheldon, the Duke of Albermarle,
and the Earl of Clarendon. As portraits of these celebrities
(excepting, of course, the King) are extremely rare, collectors have
bought up this 40 tract of Atkyns', whenever it has been offered,
and torn away the frontispiece to adorn their collection.
This is why, if you take up any sale catalogue of old books,
you are certain to find here and there, appended to the description,
"Wanting the title," "Wanting two plates," or "Wanting
the last page."
It is quite common to find in old MSS., especially fifteenth century,
both vellum and paper, the blank margins of leaves cut away.
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Rezanov by Gertrude Atherton: miles away the sun was as prodigal as youth. For
a few weeks San Francisco had her springtime,
when the days were warm and the air of a wonder-
ful lightness and brightness, the atmosphere so clear
that the flowers might be seen on the islands, when
man walked with wings on his feet and a song in his
heart; when the past was done with, the future
mattered not, the present with its ever changing
hues on bay and hill, its cool electrical breezes stir-
ring imagination and pulse, was all in all.
And it was in San Francisco's springtime that
Rezanov |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Memorabilia by Xenophon: in reliance upon his own natural ability, he tried to lesson him
that it is just the highly-gifted nature which stands," etc. See
Newman, op. cit. i. 397.
[6] Cf. Aristot. "H. A." ix. 1; and "Hunting," iii. 11.
[7] Or, "and the same man may easily become a master villain of the
most dangerous sort."
[8] Kuhner ad loc. after Fr. Hermann cf. Plato. "Crito," 44 E; "Hipp.
min." 375 E; "Rep." vi. 491 E; "Gorg." 526 A; "Polit." 303 A.
Or to take the type of person so eaten up with the pride of riches
that he conceives himself dispensed from any further need of education
--since it is "money makes the man," and his wealth will amply suffice
The Memorabilia |
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 Symposium by Xenophon: [49] Or, "wantonness"; and for the apology see Plat. "Phaedr." 238: "I
appear to be in a divine fury, for already I am getting into
dithyrambics" (Jowett).
[50] Lit. "to speak openly against that other sort of love which is
its rival."
[51] Cf. Michelet, I think, as to the French peasant-farmer regarding
his property as "sa femme."
Again, let us consider the effect upon the object of attachment. Let
him but know his beauty is a bond sufficient to enthrall his
lover,[52] and what wonder if he be careless of all else and play the
wanton. Let him discover, on the contrary, that if he would retain his
The Symposium |
