| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Jungle Tales of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs: one compare his beautiful coat with the smooth and naked
hideousness of Tarzan's bare hide? Who could see beauty
in the stingy nose of the Tarmangani after looking at
Taug's broad nostrils? And Tarzan's eyes! Hideous things,
showing white about them, and entirely unrimmed with red.
Taug knew that his own blood-shot eyes were beautiful,
for he had seen them reflected in the glassy surface of many
a drinking pool.
The bull drew nearer to Teeka, finally squatting close
against her. When Tarzan returned from his hunting a short
time later it was to see Teeka contentedly scratching
The Jungle Tales of Tarzan |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Sesame and Lilies by John Ruskin: thoroughly, to begin with; and, after that, never let a word escape
you that looks suspicious. It is severe work; but you will find it,
even at first, interesting, and at last endlessly amusing. And the
general gain to your character, in power and precision, will be
quite incalculable.
Mind, this does not imply knowing, or trying to know, Greek or
Latin, or French. It takes a whole life to learn any language
perfectly. But you can easily ascertain the meanings through which
the English word has passed; and those which in a good writer's work
it must still bear.
And now, merely for example's sake, I will, with your permission,
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