| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Trooper Peter Halket of Mashonaland by Olive Schreiner: Spanish Jew?"
"I am a Jew of Palestine."
"Ah!" said Peter; "I haven't seen many from that part yet. I came out with
a lot on board ship; and I've seen Barnato and Beit; but they're not very
much like you. I suppose it's coming from Palestine makes the difference."
All fear of the stranger had now left Peter Halket. "Come a little nearer
the fire," he said, "you must be cold, you haven't too much wraps. I'm
chill in this big coat." Peter Halket pushed his gun a little further away
from him; and threw another large log on the fire. "I'm sorry I haven't
anything to eat to offer you; but I haven't had anything myself since last
night. It's beastly sickening, being out like this with nothing to eat.
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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 Deserted Woman by Honore de Balzac: joy of him still; I shall live happy in that fair past life of
ours, a life hidden from all but our inmost selves.
"Dear treasure of mine, if all the while no least thought of
liberty has risen in your mind, if my love is no burden on you, if
my fears are chimerical, if I am still your Eve--the one woman in
the world for you--come to me as soon as you have read this
letter, come quickly! Ah, in one moment I will love you more than
I have ever loved you, I think, in these nine years. After
enduring the needless torture of these doubts of which I am
accusing myself, every added day of love, yes, every single day,
will be a whole lifetime of bliss. So speak, and speak openly; do
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