| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne: opening in the road leading to a thicket, I discovered poor Maria
sitting under a poplar. She was sitting with her elbow in her lap,
and her head leaning on one side within her hand: - a small brook
ran at the foot of the tree.
I bid the postilion go on with the chaise to Moulines - and La
Fleur to bespeak my supper; - and that I would walk after him.
She was dress'd in white, and much as my friend described her,
except that her hair hung loose, which before was twisted within a
silk net. - She had superadded likewise to her jacket, a pale green
riband, which fell across her shoulder to the waist; at the end of
which hung her pipe. - Her goat had been as faithless as her lover;
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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 Michael Strogoff by Jules Verne: from his companions. But this pursuit could only termin-
ate to Michael's disadvantage. His horse was almost ex-
hausted. He managed to reach the bank of the river. The
Usbeck detachment was now not more than fifty paces be-
hind him.
The Obi was deserted -- not a boat of any description
which could take him over the water!
"Courage, my brave horse!" cried Michael. "Come!
A last effort!" And he plunged into the river, which here
was half a verst in width.
It would have been difficult to stand against the current
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