| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift: Catholick countries about nine months after Lent, the markets
will be more glutted than usual, because the number of Popish
infants, is at least three to one in this kingdom, and therefore
it will have one other collateral advantage, by lessening the
number of Papists among us.
I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar's child
(in which list I reckon all cottagers, labourers, and four-fifths
of the farmers) to be about two shillings per annum, rags
included; and I believe no gentleman would repine to give ten
shillings for the carcass of a good fat child, which, as I have
said, will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he
A Modest Proposal |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Economist by Xenophon: Isch. Surely we must include the slave to amorous affection.[11] Your
woeful lover[12] is incapable of being taught attention to anything
beyond one single object.[13] No light task, I take it, to discover
any hope or occupation sweeter to him than that which now employs him,
his care for his beloved, nor, when the call for action comes,[14]
will it be easy to invent worse punishment than that he now endures in
separation from the object of his passion.[15] Accordingly, I am in no
great hurry to appoint a person of this sort to manage[16] my affairs;
the very attempt to do so I regard as futile.
[11] See "Mem." I. iii. 8 foll.; II. vi. 22.
[12] {duserotes}. Cf. Thuc. vi. 13, "a desperate craving" (Jowett).
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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 Old Indian Legends by Zitkala-Sa: voices--one was the clear flute tones of a young brave and the
other the tremulous squeaks of an old grandfather.
It was Manstin's friend with the Earth Ear and the old
grandfather. "Here Manstin, take back your eyes," said the old
man, "I knew you would not be content in my stead, but I wanted you
to learn your lesson. I have had pleasure seeing with your eyes
and trying your bow and arrows, but since I am old and feeble I
much prefer my own teepee and my magic bags!"
Thus talking the three returned to the hut. The old
grandfather crept into his wigwam, which is often mistaken for a
mere oak tree by little Indian girls and boys.
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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 Silas Marner by George Eliot: behind the goodly ornamented facade that meets the sunlight and the
gaze of respectable admirers. It was his own child, carried in
Silas Marner's arms. That was his instantaneous impression,
unaccompanied by doubt, though he had not seen the child for months
past; and when the hope was rising that he might possibly be
mistaken, Mr. Crackenthorp and Mr. Lammeter had already advanced to
Silas, in astonishment at this strange advent. Godfrey joined them
immediately, unable to rest without hearing every word--trying to
control himself, but conscious that if any one noticed him, they
must see that he was white-lipped and trembling.
But now all eyes at that end of the room were bent on Silas Marner;
Silas Marner |
