| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Master Key by L. Frank Baum: excitement he experienced at witnessing these marvels.
"Eet is wonderful--grand--magnifique!" he exclaimed.
"But here is something of still greater interest," continued Rob, and
taking the Automatic Record of Events from his pocket he allowed the
professor to view the remarkable scenes that were being enacted
throughout the civilized world.
The Frenchman was now trembling violently, and he implored Rob to tell
him where he might obtain similar electrical machines.
"I can't do that," replied the boy, decidedly; "but, having seen
these, you may be able to discover their construction for yourself.
Now that you know such things to be possible and practical, the hint
The Master Key |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Atheist's Mass by Honore de Balzac: for, he was capable of dropping a prayer-book out of his pocket
at Court, in his heart he mocked at everything; he had a deep
contempt for men, after studying them from above and below, after
detecting their genuine expression when performing the most
solemn and the meanest acts of their lives.
The qualities of a great man are often federative. If among these
colossal spirits one has more talent than wit, his wit is still
superior to that of a man of whom it is simply stated that "he is
witty." Genius always presupposes moral insight. This insight may
be applied to a special subject; but he who can see a flower must
be able to see the sun. The man who on hearing a diplomate he has
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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 Maid Marian by Thomas Love Peacock: my faculty? I am passing well in all, from the anthem to the glee,
and from the dirge to the coranto."
"It would be idle," said the bishop, "to give thee sack for playing
me anthems, seeing that I myself do receive sack for hearing them sung.
Therefore, as the occasion is festive, thou shalt play me a coranto."
Robin struck up and played away merrily, the bishop all
the while in great delight, noddling his head, and beating
time with his foot, till the bride and bridegroom appeared.
The bridegroom was richly apparelled, and came slowly and
painfully forward, hobbling and leering, and pursing up his mouth
into a smile of resolute defiance to the gout, and of tender
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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 Koran: clear of all that ye serve, except Him who created me; for, verily, He
will guide me:' and he made it a word remaining among his posterity,
that haply they might return.
Nay; but I let these (Meccans) and their fathers have enjoyment
until the truth came to them, and an apostle. And when the truth
came to them they said, 'This is magic, and we therein do disbelieve!'
And they say, 'Unless this Koran were sent down to a man great in
the two cities....'
Is it they who distribute the mercy of thy Lord? We distribute
amongst them their livelihood in the life of this world, and we
exalt some of them above others in degrees, that some may take
The Koran |
