| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Master Key by L. Frank Baum: before the opening. As the Tatars poured through the gateway in a
compact mass they were met by a hail of bullets, spears and arrows,
which did fearful execution among them. Many were killed outright,
while others fell wounded to be trampled upon by those who pressed on
from the rear.
Rob maintained his position in the front rank, but escaped all injury
through the possession of the Garment of Repulsion. But he took an
active part in the fight and pressed the button of the electric tube
again and again, tumbling the enemy into heaps on every side,
even the horses and camels falling helplessly before the resistless
current of electricity.
The Master Key |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from On Horsemanship by Xenophon: by touching the horse with a switch under the hocks, others employ an
attendant to run alongside and strike the horse with a stick under the
gaskins. For ourselves, however, far the best method of
instruction,[5] as we keep repeating, is to let the horse feel that
whatever he does in obedience to the rider's wishes will be followed
by some rest and relaxation.
[4] Lit. "People, it must be admitted, claim to teach these arts in
varous ways--some by . . . others by bidding . . ."
[5] Reading {didaskalion}, al. {didaskalion}, "systems." Schneid. cf.
Herod. v. 58.
To quote a dictum of Simon, what a horse does under compulsion he does
On Horsemanship |
