| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Mountains by Stewart Edward White: dinner. It tastes good, not because your camp dinners
have palled on you, but because your transformation
demands its proper aliment. Fortunate indeed you
are if you step directly to a transcontinental train or
into the streets of a modern town. Otherwise the
transition through the small-hotel provender is apt
to offer too little contrast for the fullest enjoyment.
But aboard the dining-car or in the cafe you will
gather to yourself such ill-assorted succulence as thick,
juicy beefsteaks, and creamed macaroni, and sweet
potatoes, and pie, and red wine, and real cigars and
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Parmenides by Plato: Undoubtedly.
Here, then, we have even taken even times, and odd taken odd times, and
even taken odd times, and odd taken even times.
True.
And if this is so, does any number remain which has no necessity to be?
None whatever.
Then if one is, number must also be?
It must.
But if there is number, there must also be many, and infinite multiplicity
of being; for number is infinite in multiplicity, and partakes also of
being: am I not right?
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Almayer's Folly by Joseph Conrad: disappearing vapour. He was by no means patriotically elated by
the event, yet he had to force himself into a gracious behaviour
when, the official reception being over, the naval officers of
the Commission crossed the river to pay a visit to the solitary
white man of whom they had heard, no doubt wishing also to catch
a glimpse of his daughter. In that they were disappointed, Nina
refusing to show herself; but they seemed easily consoled by the
gin and cheroots set before them by the hospitable Almayer; and
sprawling comfortably on the lame armchairs under the shade of
the verandah, while the blazing sunshine outside seemed to set
the great river simmering in the heat, they filled the little
Almayer's Folly |
