| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy: with his ear to the panel. "A young man and woman have
just swung into this corner, and he's saying to her,
'Ah, the pity; 'tis over for us this time, my own.'"
"Thank God," said the Turkish Knight, stamping, and taking
from the wall the conventional lance that each of the
mummers carried. Her boots being thinner than those of
the young men, the hoar had damped her feet and made them cold.
"Upon my song 'tis another ten minutes for us,"
said the Valiant Soldier, looking through the keyhole
as the tune modulated into another without stopping.
"Grandfer Cantle is standing in this corner, waiting his turn."
Return of the Native |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Moran of the Lady Letty by Frank Norris: you were out of my experience, but I begin to think now that you
are out of even my imagination. You are right, you SHOULD keep to
yourself. You should be alone--your mate isn't made yet. You are
splendid just as you are," while under his breath he added, his
teeth clinching, "and God! but I love you."
It was growing late, the stars were all out, the moon riding high.
Moran yawned:
"Mate, I think I'll turn in. We'll have to be at that schooner
early in the morning, and I make no doubt she'll give us plenty to
do." Wilbur hesitated to reply, waiting to take his cue from what
next she should say. "It's hot enough to sleep where we are," she
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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 Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death by Patrick Henry: freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject
ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that
we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility
which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions
at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself
as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty
toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.
We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the
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?
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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 Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson by Robert Louis Stevenson: perfectly unbroken stream of gossip. I didn't hear it, I was
immersed in far more important business with a box of bricks, but
the recollection of that thin, perpetual, shrill sound of a voice
has echoed in my ears sinsyne. I am bound to say she was younger
than Tibbie, but there is no mistaking that and the indescribable
and eminently Scottish expression.
I have been very much prevented of late, having carried out
thoroughly to my own satisfaction two considerable illnesses, had a
birthday, and visited Honolulu, where politics are (if possible) a
shade more exasperating than they are with us. I am told that it
was just when I was on the point of leaving that I received your
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