| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from American Notes by Rudyard Kipling: Five regiments artillery at four battalions, four companies each;
third battalion, skeleton; fourth on paper.
Observe the beauty of this business. The third battalion will
have its officers, but no men; the fourth will probably have a
rendezvous and some equipment.
It is not contemplated to give it anything more definite at
present. Assuming the regiments to be made up to full
complement, we get an army of fifty thousand men, which after the
need passes away must be cut down fifty per cent, to the huge
delight of the officers.
The military needs of the States be three: (a) Frontier warfare,
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Bunner Sisters by Edith Wharton: The elder sister drew near to the bed.
"There's one thing I ain't told you. I didn't want to tell
you yet because I was afraid you might be sorry--but if he says I'm
going to die I've got to say it." She stopped to cough, and to Ann
Eliza it now seemed as though every cough struck a minute from the
hours remaining to her.
"Don't talk now--you're tired."
"I'll be tireder to-morrow, I guess. And I want you should
know. Sit down close to me--there."
Ann Eliza sat down in silence, stroking her shrunken hand.
"I'm a Roman Catholic, Ann Eliza."
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