| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Lost Continent by Edgar Rice Burroughs: stood there while the sounds of battle raged upon the
eastern side of the city and the population flew toward the
west. More and more numerous became the uniformed soldiers
among the fleeing throng, until, toward the last, the street
was packed with them. It was no orderly retreat, but a
rout, complete and terrible.
The fighting was steadily approaching us now, until the
crack of rifles sounded in the very street upon which we
were looking. And then came a handful of brave men--a
little rear guard backing slowly toward the west, working
their smoking rifles in feverish haste as they fired volley
Lost Continent |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Little Rivers by Henry van Dyke: haze resting upon its fading verge, but a wild land of mountains,
stern, rugged, tumultuous, rising one beyond another like the waves
of a stormy ocean,--Ossa piled upin Pelion,--Mcintyre's sharp peak,
and the ragged crest of the Gothics, and, above all, Marcy's dome-
like head, raised just far enough above the others to assert his
royal right as monarch of the Adirondacks.
But grandest of all, as seen from this height, was Mount Seward,--a
solemn giant of a mountain, standing apart from the others, and
looking us full in the face. He was clothed from base to summit in
a dark, unbroken robe of forest. Ou-kor-lah, the Indians called
him--the Great Eye; and he seemed almost to frown upon us in
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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 Droll Stories, V. 1 by Honore de Balzac: been held--
"My dear lord, I have done you a great mischief."
"Ah, madame!" replied Lavalliere, "my hurt is curable; but into what a
predicament have you fallen? You should not have been aware of the
danger of my love."
"Ah!" said she, "I am sure now always to have you to myself; in
exchange for this great obloquy and dishonour, I will be forever your
friend, your hostess, and your lady-love--more than that, your
servant. My determination is to devote myself to you and efface the
traces of this shame; to cure you by a watch and ward; and if the
learned in these matters declare that the disease has such a hold of
Droll Stories, V. 1 |
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 Love and Friendship by Jane Austen: vainly flatters himself that change of Air will heal the Wounds
of a broken Heart! You will join with me I am certain my dear
Charlotte, in prayers for the recovery of the unhappy Lesley's
peace of Mind, which must ever be essential to that of your
sincere freind
M. Lesley.
LETTER the SECOND
From Miss C. LUTTERELL to Miss M. LESLEY in answer.
Glenford Febry 12
I have a thousand excuses to beg for having so long delayed
thanking you my dear Peggy for your agreable Letter, which
Love and Friendship |
