| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Westward Ho! by Charles Kingsley: Brimblecombe's hand), Jack, instead of turning pale, as he had done
at the sharks upon a certain memorable occasion, coolly picked up
the fish, and said, "He's four pound weight! If you can catch
'pirai' for us like that, old fellow, just keep in our wake, and
we'll give you the cleanings for wages."
Yes. The mind of man is not so "infinite," in the vulgar sense of
that word, as people fancy; and however greedy the appetite for
wonder may be, while it remains unsatisfied in everyday European
life, it is as easily satiated as any other appetite, and then
leaves the senses of its possessor as dull as those of a city
gourmand after a lord mayor's feast. Only the highest minds--our
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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 Atheist's Mass by Honore de Balzac: jolly companion, not more prudish than a trooper, as frank and
outspoken--not as a sailor, for nowadays sailors are wily
diplomates--but as an honest man who has nothing in his life to
hide, he walked with his head erect, and a mind content. In
short, to put the facts into a word, Horace was the Pylades of
more than one Orestes--creditors being regarded as the nearest
modern equivalent to the Furies of the ancients.
He carried his poverty with the cheerfulness which is perhaps one
of the chief elements of courage, and, like all people who have
nothing, he made very few debts. As sober as a camel and active
as a stag, he was steadfast in his ideas and his conduct.
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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 Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: have them on the way whereon thou goest, though they will do thee
no manner of good. Further help from me thou mayest expect
none.' The other, hearing this, despaired of the succour whereon
he had reckoned, and went to his second friend, saying, `Friend,
thou rememberest how much honour and kindness thou hast enjoyed
at my hands. To-day I have fallen into tribulation and sorrow,
and need a helping hand. To what extent then canst thou share my
labour? Tell me at once.' Said he, `I have on leisure today to
share thy troubles. I too have fallen among cares and perils,
and am myself in tribulation. Howbeit, I will go a little way
with thee, even if I shall fail to be of service to thee. Then
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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 Chance by Joseph Conrad: little on the poop. You like him?--Don't you?"
"Excellent fellow," I said warmly. "You see him often?"
"Of course. I hardly know another soul in the world. I am alone.
And he has plenty of time on his hands. His aunt died a few years
ago. He's doing nothing, I believe."
"He is fond of the sea," I remarked. "He loves it."
"He seems to have given it up," she murmured.
"I wonder why?"
She remained silent. "Perhaps it is because he loves something else
better," I went on. "Come, Mrs. Anthony, don't let me carry away
from here the idea that you are a selfish person, hugging the memory
Chance |
