| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini: together with the Nation from the bondage of Privilege. Our
constitution will accomplish it. You agree?"
Andre-Louis shrugged. "Does it matter? I am a dreamer in politics,
not a man of action. Until lately I have been very moderate; more
moderate than you think. But now almost I am a republican. I have
been watching, and I have perceived that this King is - just nothing,
a puppet who dances according to the hand that pulls the string."
"This King, you say? What other king is possible? You are surely
not of those who weave dreams about Orleans? He has a sort of
party, a following largely recruited by the popular hatred of the
Queen and the known fact that she hates him. There are some who
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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 Princess of Parms by Edgar Rice Burroughs: A cursory examination of the latter revealed no mortal
injuries and after a brief rest he asserted that he felt fit to
attempt the return voyage. He would have to pilot his
own craft, however, as these frail vessels are not intended
to convey but a single person.
Quickly completing the repairs we rose together into the
still, cloudless Martian sky, and at great speed and without
further mishap returned to Zodanga.
As we neared the city we discovered a mighty concourse
of civilians and troops assembled upon the plain before the
city. The sky was black with naval vessels and private and
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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 White Moll by Frank L. Packard: Still receiving no reply, she tried the door, found it unlocked,
and, opening it, stood for an instant on the threshold. A lamp,
almost empty, ill-trimmed and smoking badly, stood on a chair
beside a cheap iron bed; it threw a dull, yellow glow about its
immediate vicinity, and threw the remainder of the garret into
deep, impenetrable shadows; but also it disclosed the motionless
form of a woman on the bed.
Rhoda Gray's eyes darkened, as she closed the door behind her,
and stepped quickly forward to the bedside. For a moment she
stood looking down at the recumbent figure; at the matted tangle
of gray-streaked brown hair that straggled across a pillow which
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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 Melmoth Reconciled by Honore de Balzac: who are so carried away by passion that they are ready to commit a
crime, but have not sufficient strength of character to keep it to
themselves without suffering terribly in the process. So, although
Castanier had made up his mind to reap the fruits of a crime which was
already half executed, he hesitated to carry out his designs. For him,
as for many men of mixed character in whom weakness and strength are
equally blended, the least trifling consideration determines whether
they shall continue to lead blameless lives or become actively
criminal. In the vast masses of men enrolled in Napoleon's armies
there are many who, like Castanier, possessed the purely physical
courage demanded on the battlefield, yet lacked the moral courage
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