| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Two Brothers by Honore de Balzac: Philippe took Flore by the arm, compelling her to look at him, and
looking at her in return as fixedly as she had just looked at her
victim.
"Tell me, mademoiselle," he said, "is it a fact that my uncle is not
free to take a walk with me?"
"Why, yes he is, monsieur," replied Flore, who was unable to make any
other answer.
"Very well. Come, uncle. Mademoiselle, give him his hat and cane."
"But--he never goes out without me. Do you, monsieur?"
"Yes, Philippe, yes; I always want her--"
"It would be better to take the carriage," said Flore.
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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 Cavalry General by Xenophon: disorder incidental to a march, some will advance and others lag
behind, beyond a proper limit. Blunders like these, then, our hipparch
must not let pass unpunished (unless he wishes the whole of Attica to
become a gigantic camp);[10] keeping his single point steadily in
view, that when he strikes a blow he must be expeditious and retire
before the main body has time to rally to the rescue.
[9] {epimeleia}. Cf. "Cyrop." V. iii. 47.
[10] Lit. "or else the whole of Attica will be one encampment." As at
the date of the fortification of Decelea (413 B.C.), which
permanently commanded the whole country. See Thuc. vii. 27. Al.
Courier, "autrement vous n'avez plus de camp, ou pour mieux dire,
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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 An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde: only, and in which of the two hearts one is sure to be broken.
LORD GORING. But I love Mabel. No other woman has any place in my
life.
LADY CHILTERN. Robert, if they love each other, why should they not
be married?
SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. Arthur cannot bring Mabel the love that she
deserves.
LORD GORING. What reason have you for saying that?
SIR ROBERT CHILTERN. [After a pause.] Do you really require me to
tell you?
LORD GORING. Certainly I do.
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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 Wyoming by William MacLeod Raine: "Fan him! Fan him!" screamed the spectators, and the rider's
quirt went up and down like a piston-rod.
Round and round went Two-Step in a vicious circle, "swapping
ends" with dizzying rapidity. Suddenly he went forward as from a
catapult, and came to sudden halt in about five seconds. But
Texas's knees still clung, viselike, to the sides of the pony. A
series of quick bucks followed, the buckskin coming down with
back humped, all four legs stiff as iron posts. The jar on the
rider would have been like a pile-driver falling on his head had
he not let himself grow limp. The buckskin plunged forward again
in frenzied leaps, ending in an unexpected jump to one side. Alas
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