| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Master of the World by Jules Verne: finished her repairs, she had continued on her way, and was already
far beyond the waters of Lake Erie.
But probable as this result had been from the first, we had more and
more ignored it as our trip proceeded. We had come to accept as a
fact that we should meet the "Terror," that we should find her
anchored at the base of the rocks where Wells had seen her.
And now what disappointment! I might even say, what despair! All our
efforts gone for nothing! Even if the "Terror" was still upon the
lake, to find her, reach her and capture her, was beyond our power,
and it might as well be fully recognized beyond all human power.
We stood there, Wells and I, completely crushed, while John Hart 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 Maitre Cornelius by Honore de Balzac: silversmith. No marks of violence were on the locks, nor on the iron
coffers which contained the gold, silver, and jewels deposited as
securities by wealthy debtors.
"If the robber opened this box," said the king, why did he take
nothing out of it but the jewels of the Duke of Bavaria? What reason
had he for leaving that pearl necklace which lay beside them? A queer
robber!"
At that remark the unhappy miser turned pale: he and the king looked
at each other for a moment.
"Then, sire, what did that robber whom you have taken under your
protection come to do here, and why did he prowl about at night?"
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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 Tin Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum: were standing in the fresh night air outside the
castle, free to go wherever they willed.
Chapter Eight
The Menace of the Forest
"Quick!" cried Polychrome the Canary; "we must hurry,
or Mrs. Yoop may find some way to recapture us, even
now. Let us get out of her Valley as soon as possible."
So they set off toward the east, moving as swiftly as
they could, and for a long time they could hear the
yells and struggles of the imprisoned Giantess. The
Green Monkey could run over the ground very swiftly,
The Tin Woodman of Oz |
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 Maid Marian by Thomas Love Peacock: and that the necessity of walking the last quarter of a mile from
the road to the churchyard probably detained the lively bridegroom
rather longer than had been calculated upon.
"Oh! by my fey," said the music-loving bishop, "here comes a harper
in the nick of time, and now I care not how long they tarry.
Ho! honest friend, are you come to play at the wedding?"
"I am come to play anywhere," answered Robin, "where I can get a cup of sack;
for which I will sing the praise of the donor in lofty verse, and emblazon
him with any virtue which he may wish to have the credit of possessing,
without the trouble of practising.
"A most courtly harper," said the bishop; "I will fill thee with sack;
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