| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Chouans by Honore de Balzac: us."
"But they carried off our recruits, commander," said Merle.
"The recruits could have skipped like frogs into the woods at any
time, and we should never have gone after them, especially if those
fellows had fired a single volley," returned Hulot. "No, no, there's
something behind all this." Again he turned and looked at La Pelerine.
"See!" he cried; "see there!"
Though they were now at a long distance from the fatal plateau, they
could easily distinguish Marche-a-Terre and several Chouans who were
again occupying it.
"Double-quick, march!" cried Hulot to his men, "open your compasses
The Chouans |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne: sentiment and fine feelings, that I have to reason with! -
But I have scarce set a foot in your dominions. -
CALAIS.
WHEN I had fished my dinner, and drank the King of France's health,
to satisfy my mind that I bore him no spleen, but, on the contrary,
high honour for the humanity of his temper, - I rose up an inch
taller for the accommodation.
- No - said I - the Bourbon is by no means a cruel race: they may
be misled, like other people; but there is a mildness in their
blood. As I acknowledged this, I felt a suffusion of a finer kind
upon my cheek - more warm and friendly to man, than what Burgundy
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from An International Episode by Henry James: "It seems a capital place, but I can't say we like the gnats,"
said Lord Lambeth.
Mr. Westgate stared and laughed. "Oh, no, of course you don't
like the gnats. We shall expect you to like a good many things
over here, but we shan't insist upon your liking the gnats;
though certainly you'll admit that, as gnats, they are fine, eh?
But you oughtn't to remain in the city."
"So we think," said Lord Lambeth. "If you would kindly suggest something--"
"Suggest something, my dear sir?" and Mr. Westgate looked at him,
narrowing his eyelids. "Open your mouth and shut your eyes!
Leave it to me, and I'll put you through. It's a matter of national
|
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 Silas Marner by George Eliot: altogether. Not as I mean you'd think me a burden--I know you
wouldn't--but it 'ud be hard upon you; and when I look for'ard to
that, I like to think as you'd have somebody else besides me--
somebody young and strong, as'll outlast your own life, and take
care on you to the end." Silas paused, and, resting his wrists on
his knees, lifted his hands up and down meditatively as he looked on
the ground.
"Then, would you like me to be married, father?" said Eppie, with
a little trembling in her voice.
"I'll not be the man to say no, Eppie," said Silas, emphatically;
"but we'll ask your godmother. She'll wish the right thing by you
Silas Marner |
