| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau by Honore de Balzac: mayoralty, pointing out one more worthy of them, the Baron de la
Billardiere, one of those noble Vendeens whom he had learned to
value in the dark days."
"That phrase is better than mine," whispered Cesar to Pillerault.
"At that time the creditors, who received sixty per cent of their
claims through the aforesaid relinquishment on the part of this
loyal merchant, his wife, and his daughter of all that they
possessed, recorded their respect for their debtor in the
certificate of bankruptcy granted at the /concordat/ which then
took place, giving him at the same time a release from the
remainder of their claims. This testimonial is couched in terms
Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death by Patrick Henry: song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part
of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?
Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not,
and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their
temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost,
I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of
experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.
And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct
of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with
which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House.
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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 Rivers to the Sea by Sara Teasdale: Passed us and passed.
Lights and foreign words and foreign faces,
I forgot them all;
RIVERS TO THE SEA
I only felt alive, defiant of all death and sorrow,
Sure and elated.
That was the gift you gave me. . . .
The streets grew still more tangled,
And led at last to water black and glossy,
Flecked here and there with lights, faint and far off.
There on a shabby building was a sign
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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 U. S. Project Trinity Report by Carl Maag and Steve Rohrer: not as strong as had been expected.
In order to prevent eye damage, Dr. Bainbridge ordered the
distribution of welder's filter glass. Because it was not known
exactly how the flash might affect eyesight, it was suggested that
direct viewing of the fireball not be attempted even with this
protection. The recommended procedure was to face away from ground
zero and watch the hills or sky until the fireball illuminated the
area. Then, after the initial flash had passed, one could turn around
and view the fireball through the filter glass. Despite these
well-publicized instructions, two participants did not take
precautions. They were temporarily blinded by the intense flash but
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