| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from An Unsocial Socialist by George Bernard Shaw: "I do not admit it," said Miss Wilson, ready to argue, even with
Smilash, in defence of her system. "The girls are quite at
liberty to act as they please, but I reserve my equal liberty to
exclude them from my college if I do not approve of their
behavior."
"Just so. In most schools children are perfectly at liberty to
learn their lessons or not, just as they please; but the
principal reserves an equal liberty to whip them if they cannot
repeat their tasks."
"I do not whip my pupils," said Miss Wilson indignantly. "The
comparison is an outrage."
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: constrained, to their sorrow, by the might of God, bring to light
the truth, saying, "We cannot abide even the sight of the might
of Christ, and the symbol of his Passion, which they call the
Cross. For, when that sign is made, immediately all we, the
princes of the air, and the rulers of the darkness of the world,
are utterly routed and discomfited, even before the sign is
completed. When we first fell upon this youth, we vexed him
sore; but when he called on Christ for help, and armed him with
the sign of the Cross, he routed us in angry wise, and stablished
himself in safety. So incontinent we found a weapon, wherewith
our chief did once confront the first-made man and prevailed
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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 Vendetta by Honore de Balzac: and also the neighbors who heard him to gather a few things for the
needs of so terrible a want, hitherto unknown, for the two Corsicans
had carefully hidden it from a feeling of pride.
Luigi had cast his gold upon the floor and was kneeling by the bed on
which lay his wife.
"Father! take care of my son, who bears your name," she was saying in
her delirium.
"Oh, my angel! be calm," said Luigi, kissing her; "our good days are
coming back to us."
"My Luigi," she said, looking at him with extraordinary attention,
"listen to me. I feel that I am dying. My death is natural; I suffered
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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 Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne: in saying that the young Parsee had been transformed by her bringing up.
The train was about to start from Allahabad, and Mr. Fogg
proceeded to pay the guide the price agreed upon for his service,
and not a farthing more; which astonished Passepartout,
who remembered all that his master owed to the guide's devotion.
He had, indeed, risked his life in the adventure at Pillaji, and,
if he should be caught afterwards by the Indians, he would with
difficulty escape their vengeance. Kiouni, also, must be disposed of.
What should be done with the elephant, which had been so dearly purchased?
Phileas Fogg had already determined this question.
"Parsee," said he to the guide, "you have been serviceable and devoted.
Around the World in 80 Days |
