| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Sesame and Lilies by John Ruskin: division, that it may take the colour of all that it falls upon, and
exalt it.
(II.) I have been trying, thus far, to show you what should be the
place, and what the power of woman. Now, secondly, we ask, What
kind of education is to fit her for these?
And if you indeed think this a true conception of her office and
dignity, it will not be difficult to trace the course of education
which would fit her for the one, and raise her to the other.
The first of our duties to her--no thoughtful persons now doubt
this,--is to secure for her such physical training and exercise as
may confirm her health, and perfect her beauty; the highest
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Happy Prince and Other Tales by Oscar Wilde: happy we are here!" they cried to each other.
One day the Giant came back. He had been to visit his friend the
Cornish ogre, and had stayed with him for seven years. After the
seven years were over he had said all that he had to say, for his
conversation was limited, and he determined to return to his own
castle. When he arrived he saw the children playing in the garden.
"What are you doing here?" he cried in a very gruff voice, and the
children ran away.
"My own garden is my own garden," said the Giant; "any one can
understand that, and I will allow nobody to play in it but myself."
So he built a high wall all round it, and put up a notice-board.
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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 Shadow out of Time by H. P. Lovecraft: bottom would help, and the locks of the closed doors formed possible
holds for hands and feet. I would grip the torch between my teeth,
as I had in other places where both hands were needed. Above all
I must make no noise.
How to get down what I wished to remove
would be difficult, but I could probably hook its movable fastener
in my coat collar and carry it like a knapsack. Again I wondered
whether the lock would be undamaged. That I could repeat each
familiar motion I had not the least doubt. But I hoped the thing
would not scrape or creak - and that my hand could work it properly.
Even as I thought these things I had taken the torch in my mouth
Shadow out of Time |
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 Miracle Mongers and Their Methods by Harry Houdini: those viands he had so closely attended during
the culinary process. Publicly, on a subsequent
day, and in an oven 6 feet by 7, and at
a heat of about 220, he remained till a steak
was properly done, and again returned to his
fiery den and continued for a period of thirty
minutes, in complete triumph over the power
of an element so much dreaded by humankind,
and so destructive to animal nature. It has
been properly observed, that there are
preparations which so indurate the cuticle, as to
Miracle Mongers and Their Methods |
