| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Nana, Miller's Daughter, Captain Burle, Death of Olivier Becaille by Emile Zola: rest of the night."
Such was her state of exaltation that Lucy Stewart's cheeks were
assuming a red, consumptive flush, while Rose Mignon with moist
eyelids was growing excessively melting. Tatan Nene, greatly
astonished at the thought that she had overeaten herself, was
laughing vaguely over her own stupidity. The others, such as
Blanche, Caroline, Simonne and Maria, were all talking at once and
telling each other about their private affairs--about a dispute with
a coachman, a projected picnic and innumerable complex stories of
lovers stolen or restored. Meanwhile a young man near Georges,
having evinced a desire to kiss Lea de Horn, received a sharp rap,
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Sportsman by Xenophon: should be left to ther own dam, and not placed under another bitch;
foster-nursing does not promote growth in the same way, whilst nothing
is so good for them as their own mother's milk and her breath,[3] and
the tenderness of her caresses.[4]
[1] Or, "Winter is the time at which to pair dogs for breeding, the
bitches to be released from hard work, so that with the repose so
secured they may produce a fine litter in spring."
[2] Lit. "this necessity holds." Cf. Aristot. "H. A." vi. 20; Arrian,
xxvii., xxxi. 3.
[3] Cf. Eur. "Tro." 753, {o khrotos edu pneuma}.
[4] Cf. Arrian, xxx. 2; Pollux, v. 50; Columella, vii. 12, 12, ap.
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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 The Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells: feeling of injury in my arm had already given way to a burning pain
when Montgomery reappeared. His face was rather pale, and he showed
more of his lower gums than ever.
"I can neither see nor hear anything of him," he said.
"I've been thinking he may want my help." He stared at me with
his expressionless eyes. "That was a strong brute," he said.
"It simply wrenched its fetter out of the wall." He went to the window,
then to the door, and there turned to me. "I shall go after him,"
he said. "There's another revolver I can leave with you.
To tell you the truth, I feel anxious somehow."
He obtained the weapon, and put it ready to my hand on the table;
The Island of Doctor Moreau |
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 The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde: town?
JACK. Oh, pleasure, pleasure! What else should bring one
anywhere? Eating as usual, I see, Algy!
ALGERNON. [Stiffly.] I believe it is customary in good society to
take some slight refreshment at five o'clock. Where have you been
since last Thursday?
JACK. [Sitting down on the sofa.] In the country.
ALGERNON. What on earth do you do there?
JACK. [Pulling off his gloves.] When one is in town one amuses
oneself. When one is in the country one amuses other people. It
is excessively boring.
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