| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Pellucidar by Edgar Rice Burroughs: their abdomens were so distended that I thought they
must burst, for beside the thag there had been fully a
hundred antelopes of various sizes and varied degrees
of decomposition, which they had unearthed from bur-
ial beneath the floors of their lairs to grace the banquet-
board.
But at last we were started--six great males and
myself. Gr-gr-gr had returned my weapons to me, and
at last I was once more upon my oft-interrupted way
toward my goal. Whether I should find Dian at the end
of my journey or no I could not even surmise; but I
Pellucidar |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Blix by Frank Norris: and tight in white, and the huge dog-collar girdled her waist
according to her custom. She had taken off her hat. Her yellow
hair rolled back from her round forehead and cool pink cheeks like
a veritable nimbus, and for the fiftieth time Condy remarked the
charming contrast of her small, deep-brown eyes in the midst of
this white satin, yellow hair, white skin, and exquisite pink
cheeks.
An hour passed. Then two.
"No fish," murmured Condy, drawing in his line to examine the
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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 Lay Morals by Robert Louis Stevenson: with my patrimony: I was a sheep that left my wool on every
briar.'
'And you sit down under that?' cried the old man. 'Come now,
Mr. Archer, you and me belong to different stations; and I
know mine - no man better - but since we have both been
rooked, and are both sore with it, why, here's my hand with a
very good heart, and I ask for yours, and no offence, I
hope.'
'There is surely no offence, my friend,' returned Mr. Archer,
as they shook hands across the table; 'for, believe me, my
sympathies are quite acquired to you. This life is an arena
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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 Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde: Oh! it was mad of me to come here, horribly mad. And yet, which is
the worst, I wonder, to be at the mercy of a man who loves one, or
the wife of a man who in one's own house dishonours one? What
woman knows? What woman in the whole world? But will he love me
always, this man to whom I am giving my life? What do I bring him?
Lips that have lost the note of joy, eyes that are blinded by
tears, chill hands and icy heart. I bring him nothing. I must go
back - no; I can't go back, my letter has put me in their power -
Arthur would not take me back! That fatal letter! No! Lord
Darlington leaves England to-morrow. I will go with him - I have
no choice. [Sits down for a few moments. Then starts up and puts
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