| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Faraday as a Discoverer by John Tyndall: of cause and effect.'
In a beam of ordinary light the particles of the luminiferous ether
vibrate in all directions perpendicular to the line of progression;
by the act of polarization, performed here by Faraday, all
oscillations but those parallel to a certain plane are eliminated.
When the plane of vibration of the polarizer coincides with that of
the analyzer, a portion of the beam passes through both; but when
these two planes are at right angles to each other, the beam is
extinguished. If by any means, while the polarizer and analyzer
remain thus crossed, the plane of vibration of the polarized beam
between them could be changed, then the light would be, in part at
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Tattine by Ruth Ogden [Mrs. Charles W. Ide]: would drive over in his old buggy from his little farm in the Raritan Valley,
in abundant time to begin work on the minute of seven, and not until the
minute of six would he lay aside spade or hoe and turn his steps towards his
old horse tied under the tree, behind the barn. But the most attractive thing
about Patrick was his genial kindly smile, a smile that said as plainly as
words, that he had found life very comfortable and pleasant, and that he was
still more than content with it notwithstanding that his back was bowed with
work month in and month out, and the years were hurrying him fast on into old
age.
And so Tattine was fond of Patrick, for what (child though she was) she knew
him to be, and they spent many a delightful hour in each other's company.
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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 From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne: if it were allowed, half of the earth's inhabitants would
emigrate to the moon!"
This conversation between the officers of the Susquehanna was
kept up until nearly one in the morning. We cannot say what
blundering systems were broached, what inconsistent theories
advanced by these bold spirits. Since Barbicane's attempt,
nothing seemed impossible to the Americans. They had already
designed an expedition, not only of savants, but of a whole
colony toward the Selenite borders, and a complete army,
consisting of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, to conquer the
lunar world.
From the Earth to the Moon |
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 A Book of Remarkable Criminals by H. B. Irving: tackle not far from the bridge, "there go those butchers again,
chucking their filth into the Seine!"
As soon as they had taken the chaise back to the villa, the three
assassins hurried to the station to catch the last train.
Arriving there a little before their time, they went into a
neighbouring cafe. Fenayrou had three bocks, Lucien one, and
Madame another glass of chartreuse. So home to Paris. Lucien
reached his house about two in the morning. "Well," asked his
wife, "did you have a good day?" "Splendid," was the reply.
Eleven days passed. Fenayrou paid a visit to the villa to clean
it and put it in order. Otherwise he went about his business as
A Book of Remarkable Criminals |
