| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Ebb-Tide by Stevenson & Osbourne: mate and another white hand," says I, "for I don't hold with this
Kanaka crew racket; give us all two months' advance to get our
clothes and instruments out of pawn, and I'll take stock tonight,
fill up stores, and get to sea tomorrow before dark!" That's
what I said. "That's good enough," says the consul, "and you
can count yourself damned lucky, Brown," says he. And he said
it pretty meaningful-appearing, too. However, that's all one
now. I'll ship Huish before the mast--of course I'll let him
berth aft--and I'll ship you mate at seventy-five dollars and two
months' advance.'
'Me mate? Why, I'm a landsman!' cried Herrick.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from In a German Pension by Katherine Mansfield: noble blossom.
"Look at my great fingers beside yours."
"But they are beautifully kept," said the sister of the Baroness shyly.
The minx! Was love then a question of manicure?
"How I should adore to kiss you," murmured the student. "But you know I am
suffering from severe nasal catarrh, and I dare not risk giving it to you.
Sixteen times last night did I count myself sneezing. And three different
handkerchiefs."
I threw Morike into the lilac bush, and went back to the house. A great
automobile snorted at the front door. In the salon great commotion. The
Baroness was paying a surprise visit to her little daughter. Clad in a
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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 Enemies of Books by William Blades: with the text, he would put it in his press and take off "another shaving,"
and sometimes even a third.
Dante, in his "Inferno," deals out to the lost souls various tortures
suited with dramatic fitness to the past crimes of the victims,
and had I to execute judgment on the criminal binders of certain
precious volumes I have seen, where the untouched maiden sheets
entrusted to their care have, by barbarous treatment, lost dignity,
beauty and value, I would collect the paper shavings so ruthlessly shorn off,
and roast the perpetrator of the outrage over their slow combustion.
In olden times, before men had learned to value the relics of our printers,
there was some excuse for the sins of a binder who erred from ignorance
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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 Mrs. Warren's Profession by George Bernard Shaw: REV. S. [rising, startled out of his professional manner into
real force and sincerity] Frank, once and for all, it's out of
the question. Mrs Warren will tell you that it's not to be
thought of.
CROFTS. Of course not.
FRANK [with enchanting placidity] Is that so, Mrs Warren?
MRS WARREN [reflectively] Well, Sam, I dont know. If the girl
wants to get married, no good can come of keeping her unmarried.
REV. S. [astounded] But married to h i m!--your daughter to my
son! Only think: it's impossible.
CROFTS. Of course it's impossible. Dont be a fool, Kitty.
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