| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Straight Deal by Owen Wister: "In my opinion, a navy somewhat larger than England's would practically
eliminate from America that 'Ancient Grudge' you deplore. It is England's
navy--her boasted and actual control of the seas--which threatens and
irritates every nation on the face of the globe that has maritime
aspirations. She may use it with discretion, as she has for years. It may
even be at times a source of protection to others, as it has--but so long
as it exists as a supreme power it is a constant source of danger and
food for grudges.
"We will never be a free nation until our navy surpasses England's. The
world will never be a free world until the seas and trade routes are free
to all, at all times, and without any menace, however benevolent.
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Miracle Mongers and Their Methods by Harry Houdini: harness with footholds for the men, and when
all were in position he moved about the stage
with perfect ease, soliciting ``kind applause''
by waving a flag. He afterwards became a
magician, and after various other ventures he
finally landed in Egypt, where his discoveries
were of such a nature as to secure for him
an enviable position in ``Who's Who in
Archeology.''
CHAPTER TWELVE
CONTEMPORARY STRONG PEOPLE: CHARLES
Miracle Mongers and Their Methods |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart: simplicity: a small town in the west, an attack of heart disease,
a body from a medical college dissecting-room shipped in a trunk
to Doctor Walker by a colleague in San Francisco, and palmed off
for the supposed dead banker. What was simpler?
The woman, Nina Carrington, was the cog that slipped. What she
only suspected, what she really knew, we never learned. She was
a chambermaid in the hotel at C--, and it was evidently her
intention to blackmail Doctor Walker. His position at that time
was uncomfortable: to pay the woman to keep quiet would be
confession. He denied the whole thing, and she went to Halsey.
It was this that had taken Halsey to the doctor the night he
The Circular Staircase |
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 Lady Susan by Jane Austen: had been always taught to despise? I was calm for some time; but the
greatest degree of forbearance may be overcome, and I hope I was afterwards
sufficiently keen. He endeavoured, long endeavoured, to soften my
resentment; but that woman is a fool indeed who, while insulted by
accusation, can be worked on by compliments. At length he left me, as
deeply provoked as myself; and he showed his anger more. I was quite cool,
but he gave way to the most violent indignation; I may therefore expect it
will the sooner subside, and perhaps his may be vanished for ever, while
mine will be found still fresh and implacable. He is now shut up in his
apartment, whither I heard him go on leaving mine. How unpleasant, one
would think, must be his reflections! but some people's feelings are
Lady Susan |
