| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Market-Place by Harold Frederic: as his manner indicated when she ventured her enquiries,
it was quite irrelevant to the narrative.
In Mexico, his experience had been unique, apparently, in that
no villain had appeared on the scene to frustrate his plans.
He at least mentioned no one who had wronged him there.
When he came to London, however, there were villains
and to spare. He moved to the mantel, when he arrived
at this stage of the story, and made clear a space for his
elbow to rest among the little trinkets and photographs
with which it was burdened. He stood still thereafter,
looking down at her; his voice took on a harsher note.
The Market-Place |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: a moment?"
"What for, Philip?" asked Albert, who, being a constant
visitor there, did not understand this opposition to his
entrance.
"Because the person who is now in the gallery prefers being
alone, and never practices in the presence of any one."
"Not even before you, Philip? Then who loads his pistol?"
"His servant."
"A Nubian?"
"A negro."
"It is he, then."
The Count of Monte Cristo |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Baby Mine by Margaret Mayo: thought she might be an accomplice."
"What does she look like, officer?" asked Alfred. His manner was
becoming more paternal, not to say condescending, with the
arrival of each new infant.
"Don't be silly, Alfred," snapped Zoie, really ashamed that
Alfred was making such an idiot of himself. "It's only the
nurse."
"Oh, that's it," said Alfred, with a wise nod of comprehension;
"the nurse, then she's in the joke too?" He glanced from one to
the other. They all nodded. "You're all in it," he exclaimed,
flattered to think that they had considered it necessary to
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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 The Ancient Regime by Charles Kingsley: and added (without personal fault of their owners, who may be very
good men) to the dead weight of vested selfishness, ignorance, and
dislike of change.
Yes. A Byzantine and stationary age is possible yet. Perhaps we
are now entering upon it; an age in which mankind shall be satisfied
with the "triumphs of science," and shall look merely to the
greatest comfort (call it not happiness) of the greatest number; and
like the debased Jews of old, "having found the life of their hand,
be therewith content," no matter in what mud-hole of slavery and
superstition.
But one hope there is, and more than a hope--one certainty, that
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