| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: minutes."
Adele flew to the window. I followed, taking care to stand on one
side, so that, screened by the curtain, I could see without being
seen.
The ten minutes John had given seemed very long, but at last wheels
were heard; four equestrians galloped up the drive, and after them
came two open carriages. Fluttering veils and waving plumes filled
the vehicles; two of the cavaliers were young, dashing-looking
gentlemen; the third was Mr. Rochester, on his black horse, Mesrour,
Pilot bounding before him; at his side rode a lady, and he and she
were the first of the party. Her purple riding-habit almost swept
Jane Eyre |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Koran: respecting him?
So we restored him to his mother that her eye might be cheered,
and that she might not grieve, and that she might know that the
promise of God is true, though most of them know not.
And when he reached puberty, and was settled, we gave him judgment
and knowledge; for thus do we reward those who do well. And he entered
into the city at the time the people thereof were heedless, and he
found therein two men fighting; the one of his sect and the other of
his foes. And he who was of his sect asked his aid against him who was
of his foes; and Moses smote him with his fist and finished him.
Said he, 'This is of the work of Satan, verily, he is a misleading
The Koran |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Rezanov by Gertrude Atherton: and a complexion like the hides we sold him. Now,
alas! they are no longer permitted to enter our
ports. Governor Arrillaga will have none of contra-
band trade and slaying of our otter. And as for
Europeans other than Spaniards, save for an Eng-
lish sea captain now and then, they know naught of
our existence."
But Rezanov had not come to California on the
impulse of a moment. He replied suavely: "There
you are mistaken. Your illustrious father, Don
Jose Mario de Arguello, is well known to us as the
Rezanov |
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 Snow Image by Nathaniel Hawthorne: of life, because a life of good deeds and holy love was melted
into them. Pearls, pure and rich, had been dissolved into this
precious draught. The poet, as he listened, felt that the being
and character of Ernest were a nobler strain of poetry than he
had ever written. His eyes glistening with tears, he gazed
reverentially at the venerable man, and said within himself that
never was there an aspect so worthy of a prophet and a sage as
that mild, sweet, thoughtful countenance, with the glory of white
hair diffused about it. At a distance, but distinctly to be seen,
high up in the golden light of the setting sun, appeared the
Great Stone Face, with hoary mists around it, like the white
The Snow Image |
