| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain: The mistake was in not forbidding the serpent; then he would have
eaten the serpent.
--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar
Pudd'nhead Wilson had a trifle of money when he arrived,
and he bought a small house on the extreme western verge of the town.
Between it and Judge Driscoll's house there was only a grassy yard,
with a paling fence dividing the properties in the middle.
He hired a small office down in the town and hung out a tin sign
with these words on it:
D A V I D W I L S O N
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR-AT-LAW
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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 Footnote to History by Robert Louis Stevenson: to you all that the German man-of-war is about to go together with
a Samoan fleet for the purpose of burning Manono. After this
island is all burnt, 'tis good if the people return to Manono and
live quiet. To the people of Faasaleleanga I say, return to your
houses and stop there. The same to those belonging to Tuamasanga.
If you obey this instruction, then you will all be forgiven; if you
do not obey, then all your villages will be burnt like Manono.
These instructions are made in truth in the sight of God in the
Heaven." The same morning, accordingly, the ADLER steamed out of
the bay with a force of Tamasese warriors and some native boats in
tow, the Samoan fleet in question. Manono was shelled; the
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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 Rig Veda: 9 The Gotamas have sung their song of praise to thee that thou
mayst
give,
Indra, for lively energy.
10 We will declare thy hero deeds, what Disa forts thou brakest
down,
Attacking them in rapturous joy.
11 The sages sing those manly deeds which, Indra, Lover of
the Song,
Thou wrougbtest when the Soma flowed.
12 Indra, the Gotamas who bring thee praises have grown strong
The Rig Veda |
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 Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson: so high as to produce great tenuity of air, it is very easy to
fall; therefore I suspect that from any height where life can be
supported, there may be danger of too quick descent."
"Nothing," replied the artist, "will ever be attempted if all
possible objections must be first overcome. If you will favour my
project, I will try the first flight at my own hazard. I have
considered the structure of all volant animals, and find the
folding continuity of the bat's wings most easily accommodated to
the human form. Upon this model I shall begin my task to-morrow,
and in a year expect to tower into the air beyond the malice and
pursuit of man. But I will work only on this condition, that the
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