| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Woodlanders by Thomas Hardy: the direction of their desultory ramble, till she noticed they
were in an encircled glade in the densest part of the wood,
whereon the moon, that had imperceptibly added its rays to the
scene, shone almost vertically. It was an exceptionally soft,
balmy evening for the time of year, which was just that transient
period in the May month when beech-trees have suddenly unfolded
large limp young leaves of the softness of butterflies' wings.
Boughs bearing such leaves hung low around, and completely
enclosed them, so that it was as if they were in a great green
vase, which had moss for its bottom and leaf sides.
The clouds having been packed in the west that evening so as to
The Woodlanders |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Chance by Joseph Conrad: know, but there seemed to be a particular kind of ferocity in this
which was new to her. She began to tremble. The especially
terrifying thing was that she could not make out the nature of these
awful menaces and names. Not a word. Yet it was not the shrinking
anguish of her other experiences of angry scenes. She made a mighty
effort, though her knees were knocking together, and in an expiring
voice demanded that he should let her go indoors. "Don't stop me.
It's no use. It's no use," she repeated faintly, feeling an
invincible obstinacy rising within her, yet without anger against
that raging man.
He became articulate suddenly, and, without raising his voice,
Chance |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from From London to Land's End by Daniel Defoe: it, too, and some at a small distance near the seaside, but not of
any great consideration.
The town of Falmouth is by much the richest and best trading town
in this county, though not so ancient as its neighbour town of
Truro; and indeed is in some things obliged to acknowledge the
seigniority--namely, that in the corporation of Truro the person
whom they choose to be their Mayor of Truro is also Mayor of
Falmouth of course. How the jurisdiction is managed is an account
too long for this place. The Truro-men also receive several duties
collected in Falmouth, particularly wharfage for the merchandises
landed or shipped off; but let these advantages be what they will,
|
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 Unseen World and Other Essays by John Fiske: their souls from a worse fate, while Philip burnt them in order
to get them out of his way. Isabella would perhaps have gone to
the stake herself, if thereby she might have put an end to
heresy. Philip would have seen every soul in Europe consigned to
eternal perdition before he would have yielded up an iota of his
claims to universal dominion. He could send Alva to browbeat the
Pope, as well as to oppress the Netherlanders. He could compass
the destruction of the orthodox Egmont and Farnese, as well as of
the heretical William. His unctuous piety only adds to the
abhorrence with which we regard him; and his humility in face of
death is neither better nor worse than the assumed humility which
The Unseen World and Other Essays |
