| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Pierre Grassou by Honore de Balzac: true talent. The principle of election applied indiscriminately is
false, and France will some day abandon it.
Nevertheless the modesty, simplicity, and genuine surprise of the good
and gentle Fougeres silenced all envy and all recriminations. Besides,
he had on his side all of his clan who had succeeded, and all who
expected to succeed. Some persons, touched by the persistent energy of
a man whom nothing had discouraged, talked of Domenichino and said:--
"Perseverance in the arts should be rewarded. Grassou hasn't stolen
his successes; he has delved for ten years, the poor dear man!"
That exclamation of "poor dear man!" counted for half in the support
and the congratulations which the painter received. Pity sets up
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Story of an African Farm by Olive Schreiner: there's something so proud about her. She thinks just because she's
handsome there's nobody good enough to talk to her, and just as if there
had nobody else but her been to boarding-school before.
"They are going to have a grand affair tomorrow; all the Boers about are
coming, and they are going to dance all night; but I don't think I shall
dance at all; for, as Em's cousin says, these Boer dances are low things.
I am sure I only danced at the last to please Em. I don't know why she is
fond of dancing. Em talked of our being married on the same day as Tant
Sannie; but I said it would be nicer for her if she waited till the
shearing was over, and I took her down to see you. I suppose she will have
to live with us (Em's cousin, I mean), as she has not anything in the world
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