| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Footnote to History by Robert Louis Stevenson: whether from want of thought or by design, issued an ignominious
proclamation. Intending visitors to the palace must appear before
their consuls and justify their business. The majesty of buried
Samoa was henceforth only to be viewed (like a private collection)
under special permit; and was thus at once cut off from the company
and opinions of the self respecting. To retain any dignity in such
an abject state would require a man of very different virtues from
those claimed by the not unvirtuous Laupepa. He is not designed to
ride the whirlwind or direct the storm, rather to be the ornament
of private life. He is kind, gentle, patient as Job, conspicuously
well-intentioned, of charming manners; and when he pleases, he has
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Flower Fables by Louisa May Alcott: And Thistle said, "No task will be too hard for me to do for dear
Lily-Bell's sake."
Then they led him to a strange, dark place, lit up with torches;
where troops of Spirits flew busily to and fro, among damp rocks, and
through dark galleries that led far down into the earth. "What do
they here?" asked Thistle.
"I will tell," replied little Sparkle, "for I once worked here
myself. Some of them watch above the flower-roots, and keep them
fresh and strong; others gather the clear drops that trickle from the
damp rocks, and form a little spring, which, growing ever larger,
rises to the light above, and gushes forth in some green field or
 Flower Fables |