| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Unseen World and Other Essays by John Fiske: every one of the names above cited in connection with the
literary analysis and criticism of the New Testament is the name
of a German. Until within the last decade, Germany has indeed
possessed almost an absolute monopoly of the science of Biblical
criticism; other countries having remained not only unfamiliar
with its methods, but even grossly ignorant of its conspicuous
results, save when some German treatise of more than ordinary
popularity has now and then been translated. But during the past
ten years France has entered the lists; and the writings of
Reville, Reuss, Nicolas, D'Eichthal, Scherer, and Colani testify
to the rapidity with which the German seed has fructified upon
The Unseen World and Other Essays |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Aeroplanes and Dirigibles of War by Frederick A. Talbot: The difficulty of aiming has been demonstrated upon several
occasions at aviation meetings and other similar gatherings.
Monsieur Michelin, who has done so much for aviation in France,
offered a prize of L1,00--$5,000--in 1912 for bomb-dropping from
an aeroplane. The target was a rectangular space marked out upon
the ground, measuring 170 feet long by 40 feet broad, and the
missiles had to be dropped from a height of 2,400 feet. The
prize was won by the well-known American airman, Lieutenant Riley
E. Scott, formerly of the United States Army. He dropped his
bombs in groups of three. The first round fell clear of the
target, but eight of the remaining missiles fell within the area.
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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 Padre Ignacio by Owen Wister: "No," said Gaston, looking down. "And it is all over. It will not begin
again. Since leaving New Orleans I have traveled an innocent journey
straight to you. And when I make my fortune I shall be in a position to
return and--"
"Claim the pressed flowrer?" suggested the Padre. He did not smile.
"Ah, you remember how those things are!" said Gaston: and he laughed and
blushed.
"Yes," said the Padre, looking at the anchored barkentine, "I remember
how those things are."
For a while the vessel and its cargo and the landed men and various
business and conversations occupied them. But the freight for the mission
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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 Child of Storm by H. Rider Haggard: mention the name of "Panda's favoured son" upon whose head he hoped to
live to set the crown. Now, Panda had many sons, and that day would
show which of them was favoured.
A minute or two later John Dunn and his following departed, as he said,
to try to make peace with the advancing Usutu. Umbelazi, Saduko and
their escort departed also towards the main body of the host of the
Isigqosa, which was massed to our left, "sitting on their spears," as
the natives say, and awaiting the attack. As for me, I remained alone
with the Amawombe, drinking some coffee that Scowl had brewed for me,
and forcing myself to swallow food.
I can say honestly that I do not ever remember partaking of a more
Child of Storm |
