| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Droll Stories, V. 1 by Honore de Balzac: pious expenses in my old age, so choose to espouse an abbey for the
remainder of your days, or to marry Madame to-night and die tomorrow."
The poor little Tourainian in despair murmured, "May I come back when
your passion is over?"
The cardinal could scarcely keep his countenance, but he said sternly,
"Choose the gallows or a mitre."
"Ah!" said the priest, maliciously; "a good fat abbey."
Thereupon the cardinal went back into the room, opened an escritoire,
and scribbled upon a piece of parchment an order to the envoy of
France.
"Monseigneur," said the Tourainian to him while he was spelling out
Droll Stories, V. 1 |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Second Home by Honore de Balzac: thoughts of love by its soft hangings of elegant muslin; the window-
curtains, of drab silk with green fringe, were always half drawn to
subdue the light; a bronze clock represented Love crowning Psyche; and
a carpet of Gothic design on a red ground set off the other
accessories of this delightful retreat. There was a small dressing-
table in front of a long glass, and here the needlewoman sat, out of
patience with Plaisir, the famous hairdresser.
"Do you think you will have done to-day?" said she.
"Your hair is so long and so thick, madame," replied Plaisir.
Caroline could not help smiling. The man's flattery had no doubt
revived in her mind the memory of the passionate praises lavished by
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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 The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas: looking at the bulb would be able to distinguish its value;
and so, my dearest Rosa, be careful in locking up the third
sucker which remains to you."
"It is still wrapped up in the same paper in which you put
it, and just as you gave it me. I have laid it at the bottom
of my chest under my point lace, which keeps it dry, without
pressing upon it. But good night, my poor captive
gentleman."
"How? already?"
"It must be, it must be."
"Coming so late and going so soon."
The Black Tulip |
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 Research Magnificent by H. G. Wells: I see myself now for the little workman I am upon this tremendous
undertaking. And all my life hereafter goes to serve it. . . ."
He turned his sombre eyes upon his friend. He spoke with a grim
enthusiasm. "I'm a prig. I'm a fanatic, White. But I have
something clear, something better worth going on with than any
adventure of personal relationship could possibly be. . . ."
And suddenly he began to tell White as plainly as he could of the
faith that had grown up in his mind. He spoke with a touch of
defiance, with the tense force of a man who shrinks but overcomes
his shame. "I will tell you what I believe."
He told of his early dread of fear and baseness, and of the slow
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