| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne: (All this is impossible with us, quoth Dr. Slop, turning to my father,--the
case could not happen in our church.--It happens in ours, however, replied
my father, but too often.--I own, quoth Dr. Slop, (struck a little with my
father's frank acknowledgment)--that a man in the Romish church may live as
badly;--but then he cannot easily die so.--'Tis little matter, replied my
father, with an air of indifference,--how a rascal dies.--I mean, answered
Dr. Slop, he would be denied the benefits of the last sacraments.--Pray how
many have you in all, said my uncle Toby,--for I always forget?--Seven,
answered Dr. Slop.--Humph!--said my uncle Toby; tho' not accented as a note
of acquiescence,--but as an interjection of that particular species of
surprize, when a man in looking into a drawer, finds more of a thing than
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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 United States Bill of Rights: nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.
VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a
speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district
wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have
been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature
and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him;
to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor,
and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed
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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 Lay Morals by Robert Louis Stevenson: shall be good. We are to worry through the week in a lay,
disreputable way, but, to make matters square, live a
different life on Sunday.
The train of thought we have been following gives us a key to
all these positions, without stepping aside to justify them
on their own ground. It is because we have been disgusted
fifty times with physical squalls, and fifty times torn
between conflicting impulses, that we teach people this
indirect and tactical procedure in life, and to judge by
remote consequences instead of the immediate face of things.
The very desire to act as our own souls would have us,
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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 Deputy of Arcis by Honore de Balzac: "Whom are you writing to?" he said to his old servant.
"To my son," replied Lucas, "who is very impatient to get his
sergeant's stripes. I am telling him that Monsieur le comte has
promised to speak to his colonel for him."
"True, true," said the peer of France; "it slipped my memory. Remind
me of it to-morrow morning, and I'll do it the first thing after I am
up."
"Monsieur le comte is very good--"
"And here," continued his master, feeling in his waistcoat pocket, and
producing three gold pieces, "send that to the corporal, and tell him
to drink a welcome to the stripes."
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