| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Maitre Cornelius by Honore de Balzac: as the inaction of Louis XI. is concerned, it is not so as regards
Cornelius Hoogworst. There was no inaction there. The silversmith
spent the first days which succeeded that fatal night in ceaseless
occupation. Like carnivorous animals confined in cages, he went and
came, smelling for gold in every corner of his house; he studied the
cracks and crevices, he sounded the walls, he besought the trees of
the garden, the foundations of the house, the roofs of the turrets,
the earth and the heavens, to give him back his treasure. Often he
stood motionless for hours, casting his eyes on all sides, plunging
them into the void. Striving for the miracles of ecstasy and the
powers of sorcery, he tried to see his riches through space and
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Ten Years Later by Alexandre Dumas: accompanied the general with a light. And this morning, bark
and fishermen have all disappeared, carried away by the
night's tide."
"For my part," said the lieutenant, "I see nothing in that
that is not quite natural, for these people were not
prisoners."
"No, but I repeat it was one of them who lighted the general
and this gentleman to the abbey, and Digby assures us that
the general had strong suspicions concerning those people.
Now, who can say whether these people were not connected
with this gentleman; and that, the blow being struck, the
Ten Years Later |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Aspern Papers by Henry James: said Miss Tita with a nervous laugh.
"Oh, I suspect you'll bring Miss Bordereau upstairs next to pay me a visit,"
I went on; to which the old lady replied:
"Oh, no; I can keep an eye on you from here!"
"You are very tired; you will certainly be ill tonight!"
cried Miss Tita.
"Nonsense, my dear; I feel better at this moment than I
have done for a month. Tomorrow I shall come out again.
I want to be where I can see this clever gentleman."
"Shouldn't you perhaps see me better in your sitting room?"
I inquired.
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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 The Talisman by Walter Scott: "I dote not, Richard," answered the hermit--"I am not so happy.
I know my condition, and that some portion of reason is yet
permitted me, not for my own use, but that of the Church and the
advancement of the Cross. I am the blind man who holds a torch
to others, though it yields no light to himself. Ask me touching
what concerns the weal of Christendom, and of this Crusade, and I
will speak with thee as the wisest counsellor on whose tongue
persuasion ever sat. Speak to me of my own wretched being, and
my words shall be those of the maniac outcast which I am."
"I would not break the bands of unity asunder among the princes
of the Crusade," said Richard, with a mitigated tone and manner;
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