| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Coxon Fund by Henry James: supply her with Ruth? I haven't got Ruth myself!"
"Surely you haven't lost her?" I returned.
"She's everything to her wretched father. She writes me every
post--telling me to smooth her aunt's pillow. I've other things to
smooth; but the old lady, save for her servants, is really alone.
She won't receive her Coxon relations--she's angry at so much of
her money going to them. Besides, she's hopelessly mad," said
Gravener very frankly.
I don't remember whether it was this, or what it was, that made me
ask if she hadn't such an appreciation of Mrs. Saltram as might
render that active person of some use.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Pericles by William Shakespeare: [Exit with Third Fisherman.]
PERICLES. [Aside.]
How well this honest mirth becomes their 1abour!
FIRST FISHERMAN.
Hark you, sir, do you know where ye are?
PERICLES.
Not well.
FIRST FISHERMAN.
Why, I'll tell you: this is called Pentapolis, and our king the
good Simonides.
PERICLES.
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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 Lay Morals by Robert Louis Stevenson: for thee at all, for it is not our cause bot thy cause; and
if thou wilt not fight for our cause and thy oune cause, then
we are not obliged to fight for it. They say," said he,
"that Dukes, Earles, and Lords are coming with the King's
General against us, bot they shall be nothing bot a threshing
to us." This grace did more fullie satisfie me of the folly
and injustice of their cause, then the ale did quench my
thirst.' (5)
Frequently the rebels made a halt near some roadside
alehouse, or in some convenient park, where Colonel Wallace,
who had now taken the command, would review the horse and
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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 Master Key by L. Frank Baum: several hours enjoying the sights and wondering what people would
think of him if they but knew his remarkable powers. But as he looked
just like any other boy no one noticed him in any way.
It was nearly evening, and Rob had wandered down by the wharves to
look at the shipping, when his attention was called to an ugly looking
bull dog, which ran toward him and began barking ferociously.
"Get out!" said the boy, carelessly, and made a kick at the brute.
The dog uttered a fierce growl and sprang upon him with bared teeth
and flashing red eyes. Instantly Rob drew the electric tube from his
pocket, pointed it at the dog and pressed the button. Almost at the
same moment the dog gave a yelp, rolled over once or twice and lay still.
The Master Key |
