| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Tattine by Ruth Ogden [Mrs. Charles W. Ide]: herself thoughtfully, so she went to the closet under the stairs, got a little
empty box she knew was there, and, taking it out of doors, she put the little
rabbit in it, and then trudged down to the tool-house for her spade and rake.
"Bunny is dead, Joey," she called to the gardener's little boy as she came
back. "Come help me bury him," and so Joey trotted behind her to the spot
already selected. "We must make this hole good and deep," she explained (Joey
stood looking on in wide-eyed wonder), "for if Doctor and Betsy would kill a
little live rabbit, there is no telling but they would dig up a dead one." So
the hole was made at least four inches deep, Bunny was buried in it, and the
earth, with Joey's assistance, stamped down hard, but afterwards it was
loosened somewhat to plant a little wild-wood plant atop of the tiny grave.
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Travels of Sir John Mandeville by Sir John Mandeville: household, another is his chamberlain, another serveth him of a
dish, another of the cup, another is steward, another is marshal,
another is prince of his arms, and thus is he full nobly and
royally served. And his land dureth in very breadth four month's
journeys, and in length out of measure, that is to say, all isles
under earth that we suppose to be under us.
Beside the isle of Pentexoire, that is the land of Prester John, is
a eat isle, long and broad, that men clepe Mistorak; and it is in
the lordship of Prester John. In that isle is great plenty of
goods.
There was dwelling, sometime, a rich man; and it is not long since;
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Coxon Fund by Henry James: glad to have it to handle when he brought out at last, with a laugh
slightly artificial: "In fact it's a subject on which Miss Anvoy
and I are pulling different ways."
"And you want me to decide between you? I decide in advance for
Miss Anvoy."
"In advance--that's quite right. That's how I decided when I
proposed to her. But my story will interest you only so far as
your mind isn't made up." Gravener puffed his cigarette a minute
and then continued: "Are you familiar with the idea of the
Endowment of Research?"
"Of Research?" I was at sea a moment.
|
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 Father Goriot by Honore de Balzac: was a Mlle. Goriot!"
"The daughter of a vermicelli manufacturer," the Duchess added;
"and when the little creature went to Court, the daughter of a
pastry-cook was presented on the same day. Do you remember,
Claire? The King began to laugh, and made some joke in Latin
about flour. People--what was it?--people----"
"Ejusdem farinae," said Eugene.
"Yes, that was it," said the Duchess.
"Oh! is that her father?" the law student continued, aghast.
"Yes, certainly; the old man had two daughters; he dotes on them,
so to speak, though they will scarcely acknowledge him."
Father Goriot |
