| 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: officer resented what he took to be neglect. I mention this, not
because I believe it to depict Commander Leary, but because it is
typical of a prevailing infirmity among Germans in Samoa. Touchy
themselves, they read all history in the light of personal affronts
and tiffs; and I find this weakness indicated by the big thumb of
Bismarck, when he places "sensitiveness to small disrespects -
EMPFINDLICHKEIT UEBER MANGEL AN RESPECT," among the causes of the
wild career of Knappe. Whatever the cause, at least, the natives
had no sooner taken arms than Leary appeared with violence upon
that side. As early as the 3rd, he had sent an obscure but
menacing despatch to Brandeis. On the 6th, he fell on Fritze in
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Tono Bungay by H. G. Wells: population is passing through the furnace of the towns. They
starve, they suffer, no doubt, but they come out of it hardened,
they come out of it with souls.
Of an evening the Wimblehurst blade, shiny-faced from a wash and
with some loud finery, a coloured waistcoat or a vivid tie, would
betake himself to the Eastry Arms billiard-room, or to the bar
parlour of some minor pub where nap could be played. One soon
sickened of his slow knowingness, the cunning observation of his
deadened eyes, his idea of a "good story," always, always told in
undertones, poor dirty worm! his shrewd, elaborate maneuvers for
some petty advantage, a drink to the good or such-like deal.
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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 The Water-Babies by Charles Kingsley: Tom, and followed him wherever he went. Sir John and the rest saw
no more of her; and out of sight was out of mind.
And now Tom was right away into the heather, over just such a moor
as those in which you have been bred, except that there were rocks
and stones lying about everywhere, and that, instead of the moor
growing flat as he went upwards, it grew more and more broken and
hilly, but not so rough but that little Tom could jog along well
enough, and find time, too, to stare about at the strange place,
which was like a new world to him.
He saw great spiders there, with crowns and crosses marked on their
backs, who sat in the middle of their webs, and when they saw Tom
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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 Love and Friendship by Jane Austen: Ladyship.
"Dear Ma'am, said Ellen it is but nine o'clock."
"True Ellen, but Candles cost money, and Mrs Williams is too wise
to be extravagant."
"She was just sitting down to supper Ma'am."
"And what had she got for supper?" "I did not observe." "Bread
and Cheese I suppose." "I should never wish for a better
supper." said Ellen. "You have never any reason replied her
Mother, as a better is always provided for you." Miss Greville
laughed excessively, as she constantly does at her Mother's wit.
Such is the humiliating Situation in which I am forced to appear
Love and Friendship |
