| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Economist by Xenophon: good and brave, a man of scientific knowledge. Let him take over to
his charge those malcontents, or others even of worse character, and
he will have them presently ashamed of doing a disgraceful deed. "It
is nobler to obey" will be their maxim. They will exult in personal
obedience and in common toil, where toil is needed, cheerily
performed. For just as an unurged zeal for voluntary service[7] may at
times invade, we know, the breasts of private soldiers, so may like
love of toil with emulous longing to achieve great deeds of valour
under the eyes of their commander, be implanted in whole armies by
good officers.
[5] Lit. "magnify themselves." See "Ages." x. 2; "Pol. Lac." viii. 2.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift: this matter, to offer a refinement upon my scheme. He said, that
many gentlemen of this kingdom, having of late destroyed their
deer, he conceived that the want of venison might be well
supply'd by the bodies of young lads and maidens, not exceeding
fourteen years of age, nor under twelve; so great a number of
both sexes in every country being now ready to starve for want of
work and service: And these to be disposed of by their parents if
alive, or otherwise by their nearest relations. But with due
deference to so excellent a friend, and so deserving a patriot, I
cannot be altogether in his sentiments; for as to the males, my
American acquaintance assured me from frequent experience, that
A Modest Proposal |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas: door for him.
*The reader may ask, "How came Planchet here?" when he was left
"stiff as a rush" in London. In the intervening time Buckingham
perhaps sent him to Paris, as he did the horses.
"Has anyone brought a letter for me?" asked D'Artagnan, eagerly.
"No one has BROUGHT a letter, monsieur," replied Planchet; "but
one has come of itself."
"What do you mean, blockhead?"
"I mean to say that when I came in, although I had the key of
your apartment in my pocket, and that key had never quit me, I
found a letter on the green table cover in your bedroom."
The Three Musketeers |
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 Europeans by Henry James: what excuse I can offer."
"That is more," the Baroness declared, "than I am held to. It would
be like my asking you to buy me a bouquet and giving you the money.
I have no reason except that--somehow--it 's too violent an effort.
It is not inspiring. Would n't that serve as an excuse, in Boston?
I am told they are very sincere; they don't tell fibs.
And then Felix ought to go with me, and he is never in readiness.
I don't see him. He is always roaming about the fields and sketching
old barns, or taking ten-mile walks, or painting some one's portrait,
or rowing on the pond, or flirting with Gertrude Wentworth."
"I should think it would amuse you to go and see a few people,"
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