| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Bickerstaff-Partridge Papers by Jonathan Swift: the ebauche of a good sturdy man. If nature cou'd be puzzl'd, it
will be how to bestow the redundant matter of the exuberant
bubbies that now appear about town, or how to roll out the short
dapper fellows into well-siz'd women.
This great conjunction will begin to operate on Saturday the 29th
instant. Accordingly, about eight at night, as Senezino shall
begin at the Opera, si videte, he shall be observ'd to make an
unusual motion; upon which the audience will be affected with a
red suffusion over their countenance: And because a strong
succession of the muscles of the belly is necessary towards
performing this great operation, both sexes will be thrown into a
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Red Seal by Natalie Sumner Lincoln: "Of what?" questioned a voice from the background, and looking up
Kent saw Colonel McIntyre standing on the step above Mrs. Brewster.
The music had ceased and in the lull their conversation had been
distinctly audible.
"Guilty of curiosity," finished the widow.
"Colonel de Geofroy's farewell speech was very amusing, did you
not think so?"
"I did not stay to hear it," Kent confessed. "I had to return to
the porch and get my envelope."
"You were a long time about it," commented McIntyre, sitting down
by Mrs. Brewster and possessing himself of her fan. "I waited to
The Red Seal |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Montezuma's Daughter by H. Rider Haggard: honour prevailed against my terrors, and I answered:
'I have told you, general, that I know nothing of this treasure.
Do your worst, and may God forgive you for your cruelty.'
'Dare not to speak that holy Name, apostate and worshipper of
idols, eater of human flesh. Let Sarceda be summoned.'
A messenger went out, and for a while there was silence. I caught
Marina's glance and saw pity in her gentle eyes. But she could not
help me here, for Cortes was mad because no gold had been found,
and the clamour of the soldiers for reward had worn him out and
brought him to this shameful remedy, he who was not cruel by
nature. Still she strove to plead for me with him, whispering
Montezuma's Daughter |
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 Tour Through Eastern Counties of England by Daniel Defoe: "(1) The clause taken from the Act of Parliament establishing the
extent of the Port of London, and published in some of the books of
rates, is this:
"'To prevent all future differences and disputes touching the
extent and limits of the Port of London, the said port is declared
to extend, and be accounted from the promontory or point called the
North Foreland in the Isle of Thanet, and from thence northward in
a right line to the point called the Naze, beyond the Gunfleet upon
the coast of Essex, and so continued westward throughout the river
Thames, and the several channels, streams, and rivers falling into
it, to London Bridge, saving the usual and known rights, liberties,
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