| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Kenilworth by Walter Scott: of Anthony Foster.
The village of Cumnor is pleasantly built on a hill, and in a
wooded park closely adjacent was situated the ancient mansion
occupied at this time by Anthony Foster, of which the ruins may
be still extant. The park was then full of large trees, and in
particular of ancient and mighty oaks, which stretched their
giant arms over the high wall surrounding the demesne, thus
giving it a melancholy, secluded, and monastic appearance. The
entrance to the park lay through an old-fashioned gateway in the
outer wall, the door of which was formed of two huge oaken leaves
thickly studded with nails, like the gate of an old town.
Kenilworth |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne: not trod so great a part of them upon this enchanted ground. When
my way is too rough for my feet, or too steep for my strength, I
get off it, to some smooth velvet path, which Fancy has scattered
over with rosebuds of delights; and having taken a few turns in it,
come back strengthened and refresh'd. - When evils press sore upon
me, and there is no retreat from them in this world, then I take a
new course; - I leave it, - and as I have a clearer idea of the
Elysian fields than I have of heaven, I force myself, like AEneas,
into them. - I see him meet the pensive shade of his forsaken Dido,
and wish to recognise it; - I see the injured spirit wave her head,
and turn off silent from the author of her miseries and dishonours;
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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 Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson by Robert Louis Stevenson: Our house is lined with varnished wood of a dark ruddy colour, very
beautiful to see; at the same time, it calls very much for gold;
there is a limit to picture frames, and really you know there has
to be a limit to the pictures you put inside of them. Accordingly,
we have had an idea of a certain kind of decoration, which, I
think, you might help us to make practical. What we want is an
alphabet of gilt letters (very much such as people play with), and
all mounted on spikes like drawing-pins; say two spikes to each
letter, one at top, and one at bottom. Say that they were this
height,
I
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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 Fables by Robert Louis Stevenson: o' fortune; well, but by all stories, you ain't no such saint. I'm
a man that keeps company very easy; even by your own account, you
ain't, and to my certain knowledge you're a devil to haze. Which
is which? Which is good, and which bad? Ah, you tell me that!
Here we are in stays, and you may lay to it!"
"We're none of us perfect," replied the Captain. "That's a fact of
religion, my man. All I can say is, I try to do my duty; and if
you try to do yours, I can't compliment you on your success."
"And so you was the judge, was you?" said Silver, derisively.
"I would be both judge and hangman for you, my man, and never turn
a hair," returned the Captain. "But I get beyond that: it mayn't
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