| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Tom Sawyer, Detective by Mark Twain: A pretty lonesome boat; there warn't but few passengers,
and all old folks, that set around, wide apart, dozing,
and was very quiet. We was four days getting out of
the "upper river," because we got aground so much.
But it warn't dull--couldn't be for boys that was traveling,
of course.
From the very start me and Tom allowed that there
was somebody sick in the stateroom next to ourn,
because the meals was always toted in there by the waiters.
By and by we asked about it--Tom did and the waiter
said it was a man, but he didn't look sick.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Wyoming by William MacLeod Raine: "I am sure I may, lieutenant." She gave him a broadside of
trusting eyes full of admiration. "But perhaps you would like me
to see my foreman first, just to relieve my mind. And, as you
were about to say, his friend might be brought in, too, since
they are together."
The young man promptly assented, though he had not been aware
that he was about to say anything of the kind.
They came in together, Bannister supported by McWilliams's arm.
The eyes of both mistress and maid brimmed over with tears when
they saw them. Helen dragged forward a chair for the sheepman,
and he sank into it. From its depths he looked up with his rare,
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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 Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: be known and acknowledged; one was compelled to say, `I am
the angel of the Lord'; and the other, `I am the hammer of
God,' in order that the divine essence in both might be
revealed."
"Then," said Villefort, more and more amazed, and really
supposing he was speaking to a mystic or a madman, "you
consider yourself as one of those extraordinary beings whom
you have mentioned?"
"And why not?" said Monte Cristo coldly.
"Your pardon, sir," replied Villefort, quite astounded, "but
you will excuse me if, when I presented myself to you, I was
The Count of Monte Cristo |
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 Concerning Christian Liberty by Martin Luther: every one of us may, as it were, put on his neighbour, and so
behave towards him as if he were himself in his place. They
flowed and do flow from Christ to us; He put us on, and acted for
us as if He Himself were what we are. From us they flow to those
who have need of them; so that my faith and righteousness ought
to be laid down before God as a covering and intercession for the
sins of my neighbour, which I am to take on myself, and so labour
and endure servitude in them, as if they were my own; for thus
has Christ done for us. This is true love and the genuine truth
of Christian life. But only there is it true and genuine where
there is true and genuine faith. Hence the Apostle attributes to
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