| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Octopus by Frank Norris: felt that the air of the office was choking him.
He hurried up to what once had been his own room. On his way he
could not but note that much of the house was in disarray, a
great packing-up was in progress; trunks, half-full, stood in the
hallways, crates and cases in a litter of straw encumbered the
rooms. The servants came and went with armfuls of books,
ornaments, articles of clothing.
Presley took from his room only a few manuscripts and note-books,
and a small valise full of his personal effects; at the doorway
he paused and, holding the knob of the door in his hand, looked
back into the room a very long time.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Tanglewood Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne: recollecting themselves, they scrambled to their feet, and
looked more than commonly foolish.
"Thanks, noble Ulysses!" they cried. "From brute beasts you
have restored us to the condition of men again."
"Do not put yourselves to the trouble of thanking me," said the
wise king. "I fear I have done but little for you."
To say the truth, there was a suspicious kind of a grunt in
their voices, and, for a long time afterwards, they spoke
gruffly, and were apt to set up a squeal.
"It must depend on your own future behavior," added Ulysses,
"whether you do not find your way back to the sty."
Tanglewood Tales |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Malbone: An Oldport Romance by Thomas Wentworth Higginson: you see on the Avenue?"
"O, we saw Philip on horseback. He rides so beautifully; he
seems one with his horse."
"I am glad of it," interposed his aunt. "The riders are
generally so inferior to them."
"We saw Mr. and Mrs. Lambert, too. Emilia stopped and asked
after you, and sent you her love, auntie."
"Love!" cried Aunt Jane. "She always does that. She has sent
me love enough to rear a whole family on,--more than I ever
felt for anybody in all my days. But she does not really love
any one."
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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 Betty Zane by Zane Grey: the woods. Howsomever, mother and Susan says as it's gettin' late it's about
time we had some supper. Somewhere in the big cake is hid a gold ring. If one
of the girls gets it she can keep it as a gift from Susan, and should one of
the boys find it he may make a present to his best girl. And in the bargain he
gets to kiss Susan. She made some objection about this and said that part of
the game didn't go, but I reckon the lucky young man will decide that for
hisself. And now to the festal board."
Ample justice was done to the turkey, the venison, and the bear meat.
Grandmother Watkins' delicious apple and pumpkin pies for which she was
renowned, disappeared as by magic. Likewise the cakes and the sweet cider and
the apple butter vanished.
Betty Zane |
