| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Octopus by Frank Norris: before the Supreme Court handed down its decision. The ninety
days allowed for taking this appeal were nearly at an end and
after then the Railroad could act. Osterman and Magnus at once
decided to go up to the city, there joining Annixter (who had
been absent from Quien Sabe for the last ten days), and talk the
matter over with Lyman. Lyman, because of his position as
Commissioner, might be cognisant of the Railroad's plans, and, at
the same time, could give sound legal advice as to what was to be
done should the new rumour prove true.
"Say," remarked Osterman, as the train pulled out of the
Bonneville station, and the two men settled themselves for the
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Herodias by Gustave Flaubert: placed a roll of soft bread, upon which to wipe the fingers. As soon
as they were seated, hands were stretched out with the eagerness of a
vulture's claws, seizing upon olives, pistachios, and almonds. Every
face was joyous, every head was crowned with flowers, except those of
the Pharisees, who refused to wear the wreaths, regarding them as a
symbol of Roman voluptuousness and vice. They shuddered when the
attendants sprinkled them with galburnum and incense, the use of which
the Pharisees reserved strictly for services in the Temple.
Antipas observed that Aulus rubbed himself under the arms, as if
annoyed by heat or chafing; and promised to give him three flasks of
the same kind of precious balm that had been used by Cleopatra.
Herodias |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from At the Earth's Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs: of the head above and back of the ears. In this
respect they were not one whit less human than we.
They were clothed in a sort of tunic of light cloth which
reached to the knees. Beneath this they wore only a loin
cloth of the same material, while their feet were shod
with thick hide of some mammoth creature of this inner world.
Their arms and necks were encircled by many ornaments of
metal--silver predominating--and on their tunics were sewn
the heads of tiny reptiles in odd and rather artistic designs.
They talked among themselves as they marched along on
either side of us, but in a language which I perceived
At the Earth's Core |
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 Summer by Edith Wharton: and Harney entered.
He stopped short with a face of astonishment, and then,
quickly controlling himself, went up to Mr. Royall with
a frank look.
"Have you come to see me, sir?" he said coolly,
throwing his cap on the table with an air of
proprietorship.
Mr. Royall again looked slowly about the room; then his
eyes turned to the young man.
"Is this your house?" he inquired.
Harney laughed: "Well--as much as it's anybody's. I
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