| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Footnote to History by Robert Louis Stevenson: Mataafas and over-looked by the Germans, in their common hurry to
escape. Still Moors held eastward by the sea-paths. It was his
hope to get a view from the other side of the promontory, towards
Laulii. In the way he found a house hidden in the wood and among
rocks, where an aged and sick woman was being tended by her elderly
daughter. Last lingerers in that deserted piece of coast, they
seemed indifferent to the events which had thus left them solitary,
and, as the daughter said, did not know where Mataafa was, nor
where Tamasese.
It is the official Samoan pretension that the Germans fired first
at Fangalii. In view of all German and some native testimony, the
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Lair of the White Worm by Bram Stoker: "I think we ought to be moving," Mr. Salton said to Adam. "I have
some things to do in Liverpool, and I am sure that both Mr. Caswall
and Lady Arabella would like to get under weigh for Castra Regis."
"I too, sir, would like to do something," replied Adam. "I want to
find out where Ross, the animal merchant, lives--I want to take a
small animal home with me, if you don't mind. He is only a little
thing, and will be no trouble."
"Of course not, my boy. What kind of animal is it that you want?"
"A mongoose."
"A mongoose! What on earth do you want it for?"
"To kill snakes."
Lair of the White Worm |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Large Catechism by Dr. Martin Luther: Baptism namely, that the body, which can apprehend nothing but the
water, is sprinkled, and, in addition, the word is spoken for the soul
to apprehend. Now, since both, the water and the Word, are one Baptism,
therefore body and soul must be saved and live forever: the soul
through the Word which it believes, but the body because it is united
with the soul and also apprehends Baptism as it is able to apprehend
it. We have, therefore, no greater jewel in body and soul, for by it we
are made holy and are saved, which no other kind of life, no work upon
earth, can attain.
Let this suffice respecting the nature, blessing, and use of Baptism,
for it answers the present purpose.
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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 A Prince of Bohemia by Honore de Balzac: temples, the same olive skin (that Italian olive tint which turns
white where the light falls on it), the brown hair worn rather long,
the black 'royale,' the grave and melancholy expression, for La
Palferine's character and exterior were amazingly at variance.
"At the sound of the name, and the sight of its owner, something like
a quiver thrilled through Claudine. La Palferine saw the vibration,
and shot a glance at her out of the dark depths of almond-shaped eyes
with purpled lids, and those faint lines about them which tell of
pleasures as costly as painful fatigue. With those eyes upon her, she
said--'Your address?'
" 'What want of address!'
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