| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Little Rivers by Henry van Dyke: but by quality, and thy five pounds of pure vigour will outweigh a
score of pounds of flesh less vitalised by spirit. Thou feedest on
the flies of the air, and thy food is transformed into an aerial
passion for flight, as thou springest across the pool, vaulting
toward the sky. Thine eyes have grown large and keen by peering
through the foam, and the feathered hook that can deceive thee must
be deftly tied and delicately cast. Thy tail and fins, by
ceaseless conflict with the rapids, have broadened and
strengthened, so that they can flash thy slender body like a living
arrow up the fall. As Lancelot among the knights, so art thou
among the fish, the plain-armoured hero, the sunburnt champion of
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Prince Otto by Robert Louis Stevenson: 'The Prince will not attend the council,' replied Seraphina, with a
momentary blush. 'The despatches, Herr Cancellarius? There is one
for Gerolstein?'
A secretary brought a paper.
'Here, madam,' said Greisengesang. 'Shall I read it?'
'We are all familiar with its terms,' replied Gondremark. 'Your
Highness approves?'
'Unhesitatingly,' said Seraphina.
'It may then be held as read,' concluded the Baron. 'Will your
Highness sign?'
The Princess did so; Gondremark, Eisenthal, and one of the non-
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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 Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain: Their children for many years played upon the skin of the white-bear--
from which the lake derives its name--and the maiden and the brave
remembered long the fearful scene and rescue that made them one,
for Kis-se-me-pa and Ka-go-ka could never forget their fearful
encounter with the huge monster that came so near sending them to
the happy hunting-ground.
It is a perplexing business. First, she fell down out of the tree--
she and the blanket; and the bear caught her and fondled her--
her and the blanket; then she fell up into the tree again--
leaving the blanket; meantime the lover goes war-whooping
home and comes back 'heeled,' climbs the tree, jumps down on
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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 Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne: clad in all the sumptuousness of Oriental apparel, and leading a woman
who faltered at every step, followed. This woman was young, and as
fair as a European. Her head and neck, shoulders, ears, arms,
hands, and toes were loaded down with jewels and gems with bracelets,
earrings, and rings; while a tunic bordered with gold, and covered
with a light muslin robe, betrayed the outline of her form.
The guards who followed the young woman presented a violent contrast
to her, armed as they were with naked sabres hung at their waists,
and long damascened pistols, and bearing a corpse on a palanquin.
It was the body of an old man, gorgeously arrayed in the habiliments
of a rajah, wearing, as in life, a turban embroidered with pearls,
Around the World in 80 Days |
