| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from From London to Land's End by Daniel Defoe: situation on the whole river between Staines Bridge and Windsor
Bridge pleasanter than another, it is this of Hampton; close to the
river, yet not offended by the rising of its waters in floods or
storms; near to the reflux of the tides, but not quite so near as
to be affected with any foulness of the water which the flowing of
the tides generally is the occasion of. The gardens extend almost
to the bank of the river, yet are never overflowed; nor are there
any marshes on either side the river to make the waters stagnate,
or the air unwholesome on that account. The river is high enough
to be navigable, and low enough to be a little pleasantly rapid; so
that the stream looks always cheerful, not slow and sleeping, like
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert: last they recognised Hamilcar's trireme.
It advanced in fierce and haughty fashion, cleaving the foam around
it, the lateen-yard quite square and the sail bulging down the whole
length of the mast; its gigantic oars kept time as they beat the
water; every now and then the extremity of the keel, which was shaped
like a plough-share, would appear, and the ivory-headed horse, rearing
both its feet beneath the spur which terminated the prow, would seem
to be speeding over the plains of the sea.
As it rounded the promontory the wind ceased, the sail fell, and a man
was seen standing bareheaded beside the pilot. It was he, Hamilcar,
the Suffet! About his sides he wore gleaming sheets of steel; a red
Salammbo |
