| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Little Britain by Washington Irving: now and then squeak from among the bushes. The elder folks
would gather round the cheesemonger and the apothecary to
hear them talk politics; for they generally brought out a
newspaper in their pockets, to pass away time in the country.
They would now and then, to be sure, get a little warm in
argument; but their disputes were always adjusted by reference
to a worthy old umbrellamaker, in a double chin, who, never
exactly comprehending the subject, managed somehow or other
to decide in favor of both parties.
All empires, however, says some philosopher or historian, are
doomed to changes and revolutions. Luxury and innovation
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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 Red Seal by Natalie Sumner Lincoln: McIntyre's eyes shifted under her gaze.
"I regret very much this obsession," he said rising. "I will not
attempt to reason with you again, Helen, but "- he made no effort
to lower his voice, "the world - our world will soon know what
manner of man James Turnbull was, of that I am determined."
"And I "- Helen faced her father proudly - "I will leave no stone
unturned to defend his memory."
Her father wheeled about. "In doing so, see that you do not
compromise yourself," he remarked coldly, and before the infuriated
girl could answer, he slammed the door shut and stalked downstairs.
Some half hour later he opened the door of Rochester and Kent's law
The Red Seal |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson by Robert Louis Stevenson: perhaps a very natural one; I find few greater pleasures than
reading my own works, but I never, O I never read THE BLACK ARROW.
In that country Tomarcher reigns supreme. Well, and after all, if
Tomarcher likes it, it has not been written in vain.
We have just now a curious breath from Europe. A young fellow just
beginning letters, and no fool, turned up here with a letter of
introduction in the well-known blue ink and decorative hieroglyphs
of George Meredith. His name may be known to you. It is Sidney
Lysaght. He is staying with us but a day or two, and it is strange
to me and not unpleasant to hear all the names, old and new, come
up again. But oddly the new are so much more in number. If I
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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 Marie by H. Rider Haggard: with which I had shot the geese in the great match. Also I knew that
the moon, being full, would be up presently.
The sun sank, and the kloof was plunged in gloom. The place seemed
eerie and lonesome, and suddenly I grew afraid. I began to wonder where
Pereira was, and what he might be doing. I even thought of turning back
and finding some way round, only having explored all this district
pretty thoroughly in my various shooting expeditions from the camp, I
knew there was no practicable path across those hills. So I went on
with my rifle at full cock, whistling to keep up my courage, which, of
course, in the circumstances was a foolish thing to do. It occurred to
me at the time that it was foolish, but, in truth, I would not give way
Marie |
