| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Maggie: A Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane: about little tables. A battalion of waiters slid among the throng,
carrying trays of beer glasses and making change from the
inexhaustible vaults of their trousers pockets. Little boys, in
the costumes of French chefs, paraded up and down the irregular
aisles vending fancy cakes. There was a low rumble of conversation
and a subdued clinking of glasses. Clouds of tobacco smoke rolled
and wavered high in air about the dull gilt of the chandeliers.
The vast crowd had an air throughout of having just quitted
labor. Men with calloused hands and attired in garments that
showed the wear of an endless trudge for a living, smoked their
pipes contentedly and spent five, ten, or perhaps fifteen cents for
Maggie: A Girl of the Streets |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Legend of Montrose by Walter Scott: purposes of insult?"
"Gentlemen," said Montrose, "let me implore your patience; a
messenger who comes among us for the purpose of embassy, is
entitled to freedom of speech and safe-conduct. And since Sir
Duncan Campbell is so pressing, I care not if I inform him, for
his guidance, that he is in an assembly of the King's loyal
subjects, convoked by me, in his Majesty's name and authority,
and as empowered by his Majesty's royal commission."
"We are to have, then, I presume," said Sir Duncan Campbell, "a
civil war in all its forms? I have been too long a soldier to
view its approach with anxiety; but it would have been for my
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