| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Horse's Tale by Mark Twain: "And so you protected the little one."
"Yes, manure, because he had no friend, and I wouldn't let the big
one kill him."
"But you have killed them both."
Cathy was distressed, and her lip trembled. She picked up the
remains and laid them upon her palm, and said:
"Poor little anty, I'm so sorry; and I didn't mean to kill you, but
there wasn't any other way to save you, it was such a hurry."
She is a dear and sweet little lady, and when she goes it will give
me a sore heart. But she will be happy with you, and if your heart
is old and tired, give it into her keeping; she will make it young
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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 Symposium by Xenophon: of Crataeus upon Archelaus," etc. (Jowett).
I have next to show that the society of him whose love is of the body,
not the soul, is in itself illiberal. The true educator who trains
another in the path of virtue, who will teach us excellence, whether
of speech or conduct,[45] may well be honoured, even as Cheiron and
Phoenix[46] were honoured by Achilles. But what can he expect, who
stretches forth an eager hand to clutch the body, save to be
treated[47] as a beggar? That is his character; for ever cringing and
petitioning a kiss, or some other soft caress,[48] this sorry suitor
dogs his victims.
[45] Phoenix addresses Achilles, "Il." ix. 443:
The Symposium |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from In the South Seas by Robert Louis Stevenson: begins to lust after flesh-pots. Add to this the evidences of
over-population and imminent famine already adduced, and I think we
see some ground of indulgence for the island cannibal.
It is right to look at both sides of any question; but I am far
from making the apology of this worse than bestial vice. The
higher Polynesian races, such as the Tahitians, Hawaiians, and
Samoans, had one and all outgrown, and some of them had in part
forgot, the practice, before Cook or Bougainville had shown a top-
sail in their waters. It lingered only in some low islands where
life was difficult to maintain, and among inveterate savages like
the New-Zealanders or the Marquesans. The Marquesans intertwined
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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 St. Ives by Robert Louis Stevenson: very difficult and alarming; and I looked across at Mr. Dudgeon, as
the port rose to his cheeks, and a smile, that was semi-
confidential and a trifle foolish, began to play upon his leathery
features, not only with composure, but with a suspicion of
kindness. The rascal had been brave, a quality for which I would
value the devil; and if he had been pertinacious in the beginning,
he had more than made up for it before the end.
'And now, Dudgeon, to explain,' I began. 'I know your master, he
knows me, and he knows and approves of my errand. So much I may
tell you, that I am on my way to Amersham Place.'
'Oho!' quoth Dudgeon, 'I begin to see.'
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