| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Man that Corrupted Hadleyburg by Mark Twain: which their names and their efforts will add a new and far-reaching
lustre." [Enthusiastic outburst of sarcastic applause.] That seems
to be all. No--here is a postscript:
"'P.S.--CITIZENS OF HADLEYBURG: There IS no test-remark--nobody
made one. [Great sensation.] There wasn't any pauper stranger, nor
any twenty-dollar contribution, nor any accompanying benediction and
compliment--these are all inventions. [General buzz and hum of
astonishment and delight.] Allow me to tell my story--it will take
but a word or two. I passed through your town at a certain time,
and received a deep offence which I had not earned. Any other man
would have been content to kill one or two of you and call it
 The Man that Corrupted Hadleyburg |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde: this Mr. Bunbury, may I ask, Mr. Worthing, who is that young person
whose hand my nephew Algernon is now holding in what seems to me a
peculiarly unnecessary manner?
JACK. That lady is Miss Cecily Cardew, my ward. [LADY BRACKNELL
bows coldly to CECILY.]
ALGERNON. I am engaged to be married to Cecily, Aunt Augusta.
LADY BRACKNELL. I beg your pardon?
CECILY. Mr. Moncrieff and I are engaged to be married, Lady
Bracknell.
LADY BRACKNELL. [With a shiver, crossing to the sofa and sitting
down.] I do not know whether there is anything peculiarly exciting
|