| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Lesson of the Master by Henry James: less good as well as in what's best. You've some forty volumes to
show for it - forty volumes of wonderful life, of rare observation,
of magnificent ability."
"I'm very clever, of course I know that" - but it was a thing, in
fine, this author made nothing of. "Lord, what rot they'd all be
if I hadn't been I'm a successful charlatan," he went on - "I've
been able to pass off my system. But do you know what it is? It's
cartonpierre."
"Carton-pierre?" Paul was struck, and gaped.
"Lincrusta-Walton!"
"Ah don't say such things - you make me bleed!" the younger man
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Bucky O'Connor by William MacLeod Raine: moment. Behind the lantern peered the yellow face of the turnkey.
"Ho, there, Americano! They want you up above," the man said.
"The generals, and the colonels, and the captains want a little
talk with you before they hang you, senor."
The two soldiers behind the fellow cackled merrily at his wit,
and the encouraged turnkey tried again.
"We shall trouble you but a little time. Only a few questions,
senor, an order, and then poco tiempo, after a short walk to the
gallows--paradise."
"What--what do you mean?" gasped the girl whitely.
"Never mind, muchacho. This is no affair of yours. Your turn will
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: head proudly; as to Teresa, her eyes sparkled when she
thought of all the fine gowns and gay jewellery she could
buy with this purse of gold.
"Cucumetto was a cunning fiend, and had assumed the form of
a brigand instead of a serpent, and this look from Teresa
showed to him that she was a worthy daughter of Eve, and he
returned to the forest, pausing several times on his way,
under the pretext of saluting his protectors. Several days
elapsed, and they neither saw nor heard of Cucumetto. The
time of the Carnival was at hand. The Count of San-Felice
announced a grand masked ball, to which all that were
The Count of Monte Cristo |
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 Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen: to see him distinguished--as--they hardly knew what.
They wanted him to make a fine figure in the world in some
manner or other. His mother wished to interest him in
political concerns, to get him into parliament, or to see
him connected with some of the great men of the day.
Mrs. John Dashwood wished it likewise; but in the mean while,
till one of these superior blessings could be attained, it would
have quieted her ambition to see him driving a barouche.
But Edward had no turn for great men or barouches.
All his wishes centered in domestic comfort and the quiet
of private life. Fortunately he had a younger brother
Sense and Sensibility |
