| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Familiar Studies of Men and Books by Robert Louis Stevenson: rudely back into his place; and finally drew his sword and
cut open his lower lip, by what I should imagine was a very
clumsy stroke. Up to this point, Villon professes to have
been a model of courtesy, even of feebleness: and the brawl,
in his version, reads like the fable of the wolf and the
lamb. But now the lamb was roused; he drew his sword,
stabbed Sermaise in the groin, knocked him on the head with a
big stone, and then, leaving him to his fate, went away to
have his own lip doctored by a barber of the name of Fouquet.
In one version, he says that Gilles, Isabeau, and Le Mardi
ran away at the first high words, and that he and Sermaise
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from An Unsocial Socialist by George Bernard Shaw: "The book was a serious matter," said Miss Wilson gravely. "You
do not seem to think so."
"I understand Agatha to say that she is now sensible of the folly
of her conduct with regard to the book, and that she is sorry for
it," said Mr. Jansenius, instinctively inclining to Agatha's
party as the stronger one and the least dependent on him in a
pecuniary sense. Have you seen the book?" said Agatha eagerly.
"No. Miss Wilson has described what has occurred."
"Oh, do let me get it," she cried, rising. "It will make Uncle
John scream with laughing. May I, Miss Wilson?"
"There!" said Miss Wilson, indignantly. "It is this incorrigible
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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 Black Dwarf by Walter Scott: impossible; nor have I either the right or the wish to exact such
a sacrifice--It is the course of nature that the old should die
and be forgot, and the young should live and be happy."
"My father die, and his child can save him!--but no--no--my dear
father, pardon me, it is impossible; you only wish to guide me to
your wishes. I know your object is what you think my happiness,
and this dreadful tale is only told to influence my conduct and
subdue my scruples."
"My daughter," replied Ellieslaw, in a tone where offended
authority seemed to struggle with parental affection, "my child
suspects me of inventing a false tale to work upon her feelings!
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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 Merry Men by Robert Louis Stevenson: for another, you may make it your boast that you have made my whole
life and character something different from what they were. I mean
what I say; no less. I do not think getting married is worth
while. I would rather you went on living with your father, so that
I could walk over and see you once, or maybe twice a week, as
people go to church, and then we should both be all the happier
between whiles. That's my notion. But I'll marry you if you
will,' he added.
'Do you know that you are insulting me?' she broke out.
'Not I, Marjory,' said he; 'if there is anything in a clear
conscience, not I. I offer all my heart's best affection; you can
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