| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Sanitary and Social Lectures by Charles Kingsley: escape.
But, ladies, there is an old and true proverb, that you may bring
a horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink. And in like
wise it is too true, that you may bring people to the fresh air,
but you cannot make them breath it. Their own folly, or the folly
of their parents and educators, prevents their lungs being duly
filled and duly emptied. Therefore the blood is not duly
oxygenated, and the whole system goes wrong. Paleness, weakness,
consumption, scrofula, and too many other ailments, are the
consequences of ill-filled lungs. For without well-filled lungs,
robust health is impossible.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne: I have nothing farther to add upon him, but that from that time to
this I have borne this poor starling as the crest to my arms. -
Thus:
[Picture which cannot be reproduced]
- And let the herald's officers twist his neck about if they dare.
THE ADDRESS. VERSAILLES.
I SHOULD not like to have my enemy take a view of my mind when I am
going to ask protection of any man; for which reason I generally
endeavour to protect myself; but this going to Monsieur le Duc de
C- was an act of compulsion; had it been an act of choice, I should
have done it, I suppose, like other people.
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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 The Lesson of the Master by Henry James: wasn't for that I brought you down here. I want to ask you
something - very much indeed; I value this chance. Therefore sit
down. We're practical, but there IS a sofa, you see - for she does
humour my poor bones so far. Like all really great administrators
and disciplinarians she knows when wisely to relax." Paul sank
into the corner of a deep leathern couch, but his friend remained
standing and explanatory. "If you don't mind, in this room, this
is my habit. From the door to the desk and from the desk to the
door. That shakes up my imagination gently; and don't you see what
a good thing it is that there's no window for her to fly out of?
The eternal standing as I write (I stop at that bureau and put it
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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 Montezuma's Daughter by H. Rider Haggard: hear, though I learned its purport afterwards. He prayed his
people to cease from war, for the Spaniards were his friends and
guests and would presently leave the city of Tenoctitlan. When
these cowardly words had passed his lips, a fury took his subjects,
who for long years had worshipped him as a god, and a shriek rent
the air that seemed to say two words only:
'Woman! Traitor!'
Then I saw an arrow rush upwards and strike the emperor, and after
the arrow a shower of stones, so that he fell down there upon the
tower roof.
Now a voice cried, 'We have slain our king. Montezuma is dead,'
Montezuma's Daughter |
