| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from An Inland Voyage by Robert Louis Stevenson: shoulders, an object of astonishment to the trees on the canal
side, and of honest derision to all right-thinking children.
To pass the frontier, even in a train, is a difficult matter for
the ARETHUSA. He is somehow or other a marked man for the official
eye. Wherever he journeys, there are the officers gathered
together. Treaties are solemnly signed, foreign ministers,
ambassadors, and consuls sit throned in state from China to Peru,
and the Union Jack flutters on all the winds of heaven. Under
these safeguards, portly clergymen, school-mistresses, gentlemen in
grey tweed suits, and all the ruck and rabble of British touristry
pour unhindered, MURRAY in hand, over the railways of 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 Camille by Alexandre Dumas: that, Paris in the mist! As Prudence had told us, it was the real
country, and, I must add, it was a real lunch.
It is not only out of gratitude for the happiness I owe it, but
Bougival, in spite of its horrible name, is one of the prettiest
places that it is possible to imagine. I have travelled a good
deal, and seen much grander things, but none more charming than
this little village gaily seated at the foot of the hill which
protects it.
Mme. Arnould asked us if we would take a boat, and Marguerite and
Prudence accepted joyously.
People have always associated the country with love, and they
Camille |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Tom Sawyer Abroad by Mark Twain: and blankets, and no end of rubbish, like brass beads
and brass jewelry, which Tom said was a sure sign that
he had an idea of visiting among savages. There was
money, too. Yes, the professor was well enough fixed.
After breakfast Tom learned me and Jim how to
steer, and divided us all up into four-hour watches,
turn and turn about; and when his watch was out I
took his place, and he got out the professor's papers
and pens and wrote a letter home to his aunt Polly, tell-
ing her everything that had happened to us, and dated
it "IN THE WELKIN, APPROACHING ENGLAND," and folded
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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 School For Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan: SIR OLIVER. Egad I like this Idea better than the other, and I may
visit Joseph afterwards as old Stanley.
SIR PETER. True so you may.
ROWLEY. Well this is taking Charles rather at a disadvantage, to be
sure--however Moses--you understand Sir Peter and will be faithful----
MOSES. You may depend upon me--and this is near the Time I was
to have gone.
SIR OLIVER. I'll accompany you as soon as you please, Moses----
but hold--I have forgot one thing--how the plague shall I be able
to pass for a Jew?
MOSES. There's no need--the Principal is Christian.
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