| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Cousin Pons by Honore de Balzac: grafe mit you," said Schmucke, crushed with pain.
He went over to the bed, took one of Pons' hands in both his own, and
within himself put up a fervent prayer.
"What is that that you are mumbling in German?"
"I asked Gott dat He vould take us poth togedders to Himself!"
Schmucke answered simply when he had finished his prayer.
Pons bent over--it was a great effort, for he was suffering
intolerable pain; but he managed to reach Schmucke, and kissed him on
the forehead, pouring out his soul, as it were, in benediction upon a
nature that recalled the lamb that lies at the foot of the Throne of
God.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Hiero by Xenophon: interest, of necessity discoveries are made more freely and more
promptly perfected. But if you are afraid, O mighty prince, that
through the multitude of prizes offered[23] under many heads, expenses
also must be much increased, consider that no articles of commerce can
be got more cheaply than those which people purchase in exchange for
prizes. Note in the public contests (choral, equestrian, or
gymnastic)[24] how small the prizes are and yet what vast expenditure
of wealth and toil, and painful supervision these elicit.[25]
[23] Reading {protithemenon} with Cobet.
[24] Lit. "hippic, gymnic, and choregic contests."
[25] e.g. "in the choral dances (1) money on the part of the choragoi;
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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 Underground City by Jules Verne: and he had said nothing of his departure for the Aberfoyle mines.
Therefore in Edinburgh nothing was talked of but the unaccountable
absence of the engineer. Sir W. Elphiston, the President
of the Royal Institution, communicated to his colleagues
a letter which James Starr had sent him, excusing himself
from being present at the next meeting of the society.
Two or three others produced similar letters. But
though these documents proved that Starr had left Edinburgh--
which was known before--they threw no light on what had become
of him. Now, on the part of such a man, this prolonged absence,
so contrary to his usual habits, naturally first caused surprise,
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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 Spirit of the Border by Zane Grey: future tragedy was to be enacted here in this quiet glade, could the murmuring
water or leaves whisper its portent? No; they were only silent, only
unintelligible with nature's mystery.
The waiting man cursed himself for a craven coward; he fought back the
benumbing sense; he steeled his heart. Was this his vaunted willingness to
share the Avenger's danger? His strong spirit rose up in arms; once more he
was brave and fierce.
He fastened a piercing gaze on the plumed guard. The Indian's lounging posture
against the rock was the same as it had been before, yet now it seemed to have
a kind of strained attention. The savage's head was poised, like that of a
listening deer. The wary Indian scented danger.
The Spirit of the Border |
