| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Deputy of Arcis by Honore de Balzac: with a coolness and courage worthy of a member of a real parliament,
four personages were walking down one of the linden avenues which led
from the Avenue of Sighs. When they reached the square, they stopped
as if by common consent, and looked at the inhabitants of Arcis, who
were humming before the chateau like so many bees before returning to
their hives at night. The four promenaders were the whole ministerial
conclave of Arcis, namely: the sub-prefect, the /procureur-du-roi/,
his substitute, and the examining-judge, Monsieur Martener. The judge
of the court, Monsieur Michu, was, as we know already, a partisan of
the Elder Branch and a devoted adherent of the house of Cinq-Cygne.
"No, I don't understand the action of the government," repeated the
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Malbone: An Oldport Romance by Thomas Wentworth Higginson: herself and Emilia whatever property remained, so that she
suffered only the delightful need of living in Europe for
economy.
The elder brother and sister had alike that fine physical vigor
which New England is now developing, just in time to save it
from decay. Hope was of Saxon type, though a shade less blonde
than her brother; she was a little taller, and of more
commanding presence, with a peculiarly noble carriage of the
shoulders. Her brow was sometimes criticised as being a little
too full for a woman; but her nose was straight, her mouth and
teeth beautiful, and her profile almost perfect. Her complexion
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum: "Put most on the wings," said Nick Chopper; "for they must be made as strong
as possible."
"And don't forget the head!" exclaimed the Woggle-Bug.
"Or the tail!" added Jack Pumpkinhead.
"Do be quiet," said Tip, nervously; "you must give me a chance to work the
magic charm in the proper manner."
Very carefully he began sprinkling the Thing with the precious powder. Each
of the four wings was first lightly covered with a layer. then the sofas
were sprinkled, and the broom given a slight coating.
"The head! The head! Don't, I beg of you, forget the head!" cried the
Woggle-Bug, excitedly.
The Marvelous Land of Oz |
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 Letters from England by Elizabeth Davis Bancroft: to-morrow, and I must go ALONE for the FIRST TIME. If I live
through it, I will tell you all about it; but is it not awkward in
the extreme?
Friday Morning
At eight o'clock in the evening I drove to the Palace. My dress was
my currant-colored or grosseille velvet with a wreath of white Arum
lilies woven into a kind of turban, with green leave and bouquet to
match, on the bertha of Brussels lace. I was received by a servant,
who escorted me through a long narrow corridor the length of
Winthrop Place and consigned me to another who escorted me in his
turn, through another wider corridor to the foot of a flight of
|
