| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Miracle Mongers and Their Methods by Harry Houdini: by the whole strength of the company.
Mr. H. in addition to his former
experiments will exhibit several fiery feats,
pronounced by Mons. Chabert an
IMPOSSIBILITY. He will give a COMPLETE
explanation by illustrations of the
PRINCIPLES of the EUROPEAN and the
AMERICAN CHESS PLAYERS. He
will also (unless prevented by indisposition)
swallow a sufficient quantity of phosphorus,
(presented by either chemist or
Miracle Mongers and Their Methods |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Father Goriot by Honore de Balzac: Government may have the strongest reasons for getting this
illicit hoard into its hands; it mounts up to something
considerable, by all that we can make out. Trompe-la-Mort not
only holds large sums for his friends the convicts, but he has
other amounts which are paid over to him by the Society of the
Ten Thousand----"
"Ten Thousand Thieves!" cried Pioret in alarm.
"No. The Society of the Ten Thousand is not an association of
petty offenders, but of people who set about their work on a
large scale--they won't touch a matter unless there are ten
thousand francs in it. It is composed of the most distinguished
Father Goriot |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Collection of Antiquities by Honore de Balzac: friends worthy of respect. All of those about him, with the exception
of the Chevalier, had example of venerable age, were elderly men and
women, sedate of manner, decorous and sententious of speech. He had
been petted by those women in gray gowns and embroidered mittens
described by Blondet. The antiquated splendors of his father's house
were as little calculated as possible to suggest frivolous thoughts;
and lastly, he had been educated by a sincerely religious abbe,
possessed of all the charm of old age, which has dwelt in two
centuries, and brings to the Present its gifts of the dried roses of
experience, the faded flowers of the old customs of its youth.
Everything should have combined to fashion Victurnien to serious
|
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 Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: to see my cousin. My father wished her not to go but said that
he left it to her own judgment and feelings to decide. "Yes," said
Elizabeth, "I will go, although she is guilty; and you, Victor,
shall accompany me; I cannot go alone." The idea of this visit was
torture to me, yet I could not refuse. We entered the gloomy
prison chamber and beheld Justine sitting on some straw at the
farther end; her hands were manacled, and her head rested on her knees.
She rose on seeing us enter, and when we were left alone with her,
she threw herself at the feet of Elizabeth, weeping bitterly.
My cousin wept also.
"Oh, Justine!" said she. "Why did you rob me of my last consolation?
Frankenstein |
