sequence of separation, and out of the Ideos were born the 

 elements of Fire, Earth, Water and Air." These facts by the 

 way are represented in my "Atalanta fugiens" by four nude 

 men bearing in their hands the substances they symbolize; 

 this, and each of the other emblems, fifty in all, is explained 

 by Latin verses set to music, which you will all admit is a 

 novel feature." 



Having thus cleverly turned the conversation away from 

 the philosoph}^ of genesis, the examination of the sketches 

 prepared for illustrating Maier's book was resumed and oc- 

 cupied the three friends for a long time. 



Jacques Typot, who had listened intently while Loew and 

 Maier were talking, then addressed them as follows: "Being 

 a historian and not a philosopher I am not learned in the 

 things whereof you have been speaking, but I have long held 

 an opinion as to the primordial elements that differs from 

 any hitherto advanced; you speak of four elements, whereas 

 I find the number may well be reduced to two; viz: earth 

 and water ; the first is fixed and indestructible and out of it 

 comes forth fire; water is volatile and vaporous, and is 

 easily changed into air, as every one knows who boils a 

 kettle." 



This theory was not favorably received by the con- 

 servative Rabbi, and he and Dr. Maier were arguing the pro- 

 position of Typotius, when another visitor was announced, 

 no less a personage than Dr. Gottfried Steegius. The new- 

 comer was made welcome and refreshment was offered; Loew 

 perceiving that he had news to communicate urged him to 

 speak at once ; the Doctor then stated that he had just been 

 consulted by his Majesty, the Emperor, who sought to have 

 a singular dream interpreted that had disturbed his slumbers 

 on the preceding night; he, Steegius, being unable to explain 

 it, had been commissioned by the Emperor to confer with 



164 



