| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum: "Suppose the stairs get steeper?" suggested Zeb, doubtfully.
"Then you'll have to boost the buggy-wheels, that's all," answered Jim.
"We'll try it, anyway," said the Wizard. "It's the only way to get
out of the Valley of Voe."
So they began to ascend the stairs, Dorothy and the Wizard first, Jim
next, drawing the buggy, and then Zeb to watch that nothing happened
to the harness.
The light was dim, and soon they mounted into total darkness, so that
the Wizard was obliged to get out his lanterns to light the way. But
this enabled them to proceed steadily until they came to a landing
where there was a rift in the side of the mountain that let in both
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz |
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: "I am," affirmed Kent, as Mrs. Sylvester paused.
"I am too, sir," she confided to him. "Cause you see I was in the
court room when Mr. Turnbull died and I'm naturally interested."
"Naturally," agreed Kent with a commiserating glance at his clerk;
the latter's wife threatened to be loquacious, and he judged from
her looks that it was a habit which had grown with the years. As a
general rule he abhorred talkative women, but - "And what took you
to the police court on Tuesday morning?"
"Why, me and Mr. Sylvester have our little differences like other
married couples," she explained. "And sometimes we ask the Court
to settle them." She caught Kent's look of impatience and hurried
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 The Bickerstaff-Partridge Papers by Jonathan Swift: appears by the title-page. For the satisfaction of any gentleman,
who may be either doubtful of the truth, or curious to be
inform'd; I shall give order to have the very book sent to the
printer of this paper, with directions to let anybody see it that
pleases, because I believe it is pretty scarce.
_____________________________________
[Dr. John Arbuthnot and Alexander Pope]
Annus Mirabilis: or,
The wonderful effects of the approaching conjunction of the
planets Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn.
By Mart. Scriblerus, Philomath.
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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 Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis: as heavy as ever. Here's what that gushy woman reporter says about last
night:
Never is Society with the big, big S more flattered than when they are bidden
to partake of good cheer at the distinguished and hospitable residence of Mr.
and Mrs. Charles L. McKelvey as they were last night. Set in its spacious
lawns and landscaping, one of the notable sights crowning Royal Ridge, but
merry and homelike despite its mighty stone walls and its vast rooms famed for
their decoration, their home was thrown open last night for a dance in honor
of Mrs. McKelvey's notable guest, Miss J. Sneeth of Washington. The wide hall
is so generous in its proportions that it made a perfect ballroom, its
hardwood floor reflecting the charming pageant above its polished surface.
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