| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from An Unsocial Socialist by George Bernard Shaw: sceptically at her from beneath his lowered eyelids. "Perhaps I
do feel a little like that; but not so much as you say."
"I will explain the emotion to you," he said, with a subdued
ardor that affected Agatha strangely. "But first tell me whether
it is new to you or not."
"It is not an emotion at all. I did not say that it was."
"Do not be afraid of it. It is only being alone with a man whom
you have bewitched. You would be mistress of the situation if you
only knew how to manage a lover. It is far easier than managing a
horse, or skating, or playing the piano, or half a dozen other
feats of which you think nothing."
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Works of Samuel Johnson by Samuel Johnson: advocates, if so much is to be discovered by attention
and meditation, it is hard to believe, that so many
millions, equally participating of the bounties of
nature with ourselves, have been for ages upon ages
meditating in vain: if the wits of the present time
expect the regard of posterity, which will then
inherit the reason which is now thought superior to
instruction, surely they may allow themselves to be
instructed by the reason of former generations.
When, therefore, an author declares, that he has
been able to learn nothing from the writings of his
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Polity of Athenians and Lacedaemonians by Xenophon: prosperity, combined with the growth of their numbers, enhances the
democracy. Whereas, a shifting of fortune to the advantage of the
wealthy and the better classes implies the establishment on the part
of the commonalty of a strong power in opposition to itself. In fact,
all the world over, the cream of society is in opposition to the
democracy. Naturally, since the smallest amount of intemperance and
injustice, together with the highest scrupulousness in the pursuit of
excellence, is to be found in the ranks of the better class, while
within the ranks of the People will be found the greatest amount of
ignorance, disorderliness, rascality--poverty acting as a stronger
incentive to base conduct, not to speak of lack of education and
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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 The Young Forester by Zane Grey: better keep his eye on Ken Ward. When I saw Bud lie down I remembered what
Dick had whispered. I pretended to be absorbed in my fishing, but really I
was watching Greaser. As usual, he was smoking, and appeared listless, but
he still held on to the lasso.
Suddenly I saw a big blue revolver lying on a stone and I could even catch
the glint of brass shells in the cylinder. It was not close to Bud nor so
very close to Greaser. If he should drop the lasso! A wild idea possessed
me--held me in its grip. just then the stew-pot boiled over. There was a
sputter and a cloud of steam, Greaser lazily swore in Mexican; he got up to
move the stew-pot and dropped the lasso.
When he reached the fire I bounded up, jerking the lasso far behind me. I
The Young Forester |
