The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Vision Splendid by William MacLeod Raine: "More than half, I should say."
"Every day or two I hear about how dissipated Jeff used to be and
how if it were not for his good and noble cousin he would have
gone to the deuce long ago," Rawson contributed.
Chunn pounded on the table with his fist. "Jeff's own fault. Talk
about durn fools! That boy's got them all beat clear off the map.
And I'm dashed if I don't like him better for it."
"Move we change the subject," suggested Rawson. "Here comes
Verden's worst citizen."
With a casual nod of greeting round the table Jeff sat down.
"Any of you hear James' speech before the Chamber of Commerce
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Polity of Athenians and Lacedaemonians by Xenophon: Hellanodikai (who form the court-martial); if of money, to the
paymasters.[20] If the petitioner brings booty, he is sent off to the
Laphuropolai (or sellers of spoil). This being the mode of procedure,
no other duty is left to the king, whilst he is on active service,
except to play the part of priest in matters concerning the gods and
of commander-in-chief in his relationship to men.[21]
[19] The MSS. give {au}, "is again," but the word {mentoi}, "however,"
and certain passages in "Hell." II. ii. 12, 13; II. iv. 38 suggest
the negative {ou} in place of {au}. If {au} be right, then we
should read {ephoren} in place of {basileos}, "belongs to the
ephors."
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