| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Mrs. Warren's Profession by George Bernard Shaw: [She takes off her hat and jacket and hangs them behind the
screen]. How did you get in?
FRANK. The staff had not left when I arrived. He's gone to play
cricket on Primrose Hill. Why dont you employ a woman, and give
your sex a chance?
VIVIE. What have you come for?
FRANK [springing off the stool and coming close to her] Viv: lets
go and enjoy the Saturday half-holiday somewhere, like the staff.
What do you say to Richmond, and then a music hall, and a jolly
supper?
VIVIE. Cant afford it. I shall put in another six hours work
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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 King of the Golden River by John Ruskin: thrown into prison till he should pay.
When Hans heard this, he was much delighted, and determined to
set out immediately for the Golden River. How to get the holy water
was the question. He went to the priest, but the priest could not
give any holy water to so abandoned a character. So Hans went to
vespers in the evening for the first time in his life and, under
pretense of crossing himself, stole a cupful and returned home in
triumph.
Next morning he got up before the sun rose, put the holy water
into a strong flask, and two bottles of wine and some meat in a
basket, slung them over his back, took his alpine staff in his hand,
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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 Democracy In America, Volume 1 by Alexis de Toqueville: remain perfectly convinced that not an opinion, not a custom, not
a law, I may even say not an event, is upon record which the
origin of that people will not explain. The readers of this book
will find the germ of all that is to follow in the present
chapter, and the key to almost the whole work.
The emigrants who came, at different periods to occupy the
territory now covered by the American Union differed from each
other in many respects; their aim was not the same, and they
governed themselves on different principles. These men had,
however, certain features in common, and they were all placed in
an analogous situation. The tie of language is perhaps the
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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 The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum: Button-Bright's lost," she said.
Santa laughed and laid his finger aside of his nose as if thinking
what to reply. He leaned over and whispered something in the Wizard's
ear, at which the Wizard smiled and nodded as if he understood.
Now Santa Claus spied Polychrome, and trotted over to where she stood.
"Seems to me the Rainbow's Daughter is farther from home than any of you,"
he observed, looking at the pretty maiden admiringly. "I'll have
to tell your father where you are, Polly, and send him to get you."
"Please do, dear Santa Claus," implored the little maid, beseechingly.
"But just now we must all have a jolly good time at Ozma's party,"
said the old gentleman, turning to put his presents on the table with
The Road to Oz |
