| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from What is Man? by Mark Twain: always so unimportant and easily forgettable before--but now!
Now, how different! how precious they are, now dear, how
unforgettable, how pathetic, how sacred, how clothed with dignity!
Last night Jean, all flushed with splendid health, and I the
same, from the wholesome effects of my Bermuda holiday, strolled
hand in hand from the dinner-table and sat down in the library
and chatted, and planned, and discussed, cheerily and happily
(and how unsuspectingly!)--until nine--which is late for us--then
went upstairs, Jean's friendly German dog following. At my door
Jean said, "I can't kiss you good night, father: I have a cold,
and you could catch it." I bent and kissed her hand. She was
What is Man? |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Complete Poems of Longfellow by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Onaway! Awake, beloved!
The original of this song may be found in Littell's Living Age,
Vol.
XXV. p. 45.
On the Red Swan floating, flying.
The fanciful tradition of the Red Swan may be found in
Schoolcraft's
Algic Researches, Vol. II. p. 9. Three brothers were hunting on
a
wager to see who would bring home the first game.
"They were to shoot no other animal," so the legend says, "but
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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 Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson: "Well, and here I am," said she. "So that's soon settled."
I know I was in duty bounden to have spoke more plain. I know this was
a great blot on my character, for which I was lucky that I did not pay
more dear. But I minded how easy her delicacy had been startled with a
word of kissing her in Barbara's letter; now that she depended on me,
how was I to be more bold? Besides, the truth is, I could see no other
feasible method to dispose of her. And I daresay inclination pulled me
very strong.
A little beyond the Hague she fell very lame and made the rest of the
distance heavily enough. Twice she must rest by the wayside, which she
did with pretty apologies, calling herself a shame to the Highlands 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 Fanny Herself by Edna Ferber: Somebody's Tires or other--winking off and on--"
"You're a queer child," interrupted Fenger. "As wooden as
an Indian while talking about a million-a-year deal, and
lyrical over a combination of electric sign, sunset, and
moth-eaten park. Oh, well, perhaps that's what makes you as
you are."
Even Ella looked a little startled at that.
They had tea at Claremont, at a table overlooking the river
and the Palisades. Fenger was the kind of man to whom
waiters always give a table overlooking anything that should
be overlooked. After tea they drove out along the river and
Fanny Herself |
