| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from In Darkest England and The Way Out by General William Booth: to have to send them back to the dreadful life from which we had
rescued them. Still, however, this would not be so ruinous a risk,
looked at financially, as some would imagine. We could, we think,
maintain them for 4s. per week, and they would be very weak indeed in
body, and very wanting in mental, strength if they were not able to
earn that amount in some one of the many forms of employment which the
Colony would open up.
VII.--Again, it will be objected that some efforts of a similar
character have failed. For instance, co-operative enterprises in
farming have not succeeded.
True, but so far as I can ascertain, nothing of the character I am
In Darkest England and The Way Out |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Michael Strogoff by Jules Verne: "I shall follow it, M. Jolivet!"
"Then it is possible that we shall find ourselves on
ground less safe, perhaps, than the floor of this ball-room."
"Less safe, certainly, but --"
"But much less slippery," added Alcide Jolivet, holding
up his companion, just as the latter, drawing back, was
about to lose his equilibrium.
Thereupon the two correspondents separated, pleased that
the one had not stolen a march on the other.
At that moment the doors of the rooms adjoining the
great reception saloon were thrown open, disclosing to view
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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 Dracula by Bram Stoker: These words put a different complexion on affairs.
He said, "I would like to oblige you if I could, Mr. Harker,
and especially would I like to oblige his lordship.
We once carried out a small matter of renting some chambers
for him when he was the Honorable Arthur Holmwood.
If you will let me have his lordship's address I will
consult the House on the subject, and will, in any case,
communicate with his lordship by tonight's post.
It will be a pleasure if we can so far deviate from our rules
as to give the required information to his lordship."
I wanted to secure a friend, and not to make an enemy, so I
Dracula |
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 Ion by Plato: Ion is delighted at the notion of being inspired, and acknowledges that he
is beside himself when he is performing;--his eyes rain tears and his hair
stands on end. Socrates is of opinion that a man must be mad who behaves
in this way at a festival when he is surrounded by his friends and there is
nothing to trouble him. Ion is confident that Socrates would never think
him mad if he could only hear his embellishments of Homer. Socrates asks
whether he can speak well about everything in Homer. 'Yes, indeed he can.'
'What about things of which he has no knowledge?' Ion answers that he can
interpret anything in Homer. But, rejoins Socrates, when Homer speaks of
the arts, as for example, of chariot-driving, or of medicine, or of
prophecy, or of navigation--will he, or will the charioteer or physician or
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