| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Contrast by Royall Tyler: I was introduced to him by an old brother officer; and
instead of freezing me with a cold card of compliment
to dine with him ten days hence, he, with the true old
Castilian frankness, in a friendly manner, asked me to
dine with him to-day--an honour I could not refuse.
Sister, adieu--Madam, your most obedient--[Exit.
CHARLOTTE
I will wait upon you to the door, brother; I have
something particular to say to you. [Exit.
LETITIA, alone.
What a pair!--She the pink of flirtation, he the
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Underground City by Jules Verne: it to cease every instant. Not a moment was to be lost;
he must carry this poor little creature out of the pit,
and take it home to his mother as quickly as he could. He
eagerly fastened the cord round his waist, stuck on his lamp,
clasped the child to his breast with his left arm, and, keeping his
right hand free to hold the knife, he gave the signal agreed on,
to have the rope pulled up.
It tightened at once; he began the ascent. Harry looked around him
with redoubled care, for more than his own life was now in danger.
For a few minutes all went well, no accident seemed to threaten him,
when suddenly he heard the sound of a great rush of air from beneath;
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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 Mansion by Henry van Dyke: and went in gladly; and from within, through the open doorways
came sweet voices of welcome, and low laughter, and song.
At last there was no one left with the Guide but the two old
friends,
Doctor McLean and John Weightman. They were standing in front of
one of the largest and fairest of the houses, whose garden glowed
softly
with radiant flowers. The Guide laid his hand upon the doctor's
shoulder.
"This is for you," he said. "Go in; there is no more pain here,
no more death, nor sorrow, nor tears; for your old enemies are
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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 Tattine by Ruth Ogden [Mrs. Charles W. Ide]: "Well, I don't know, miss; do you suppose your Father could spare me?" and
Patrick thought a little regretfully of the dollar and a half he would insist
upon foregoing if he took a day off, but at the same moment he berated himself
soundly for having such an ungenerous thought. "Indade, miss, if you'll manage
for me to have the day I'll gladly stay to home to make ye welcome."
"Then it's settled, Patrick, and we'll make it the very first day Papa can
spare you. " The had raked down, while they had been having this conversation,
to close proximity to two pretty rows of apple-trees that had been left on the
front lawn, a reminder of the farm that "used to be," and the sight of the
trees brought a troubled look into Tattine's face. "Patrick," she said
ruefully, "do you know that some of the nests in these trees have been robbed
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