| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Lady Susan by Jane Austen: besides, of all the numbers resorting hither, except Sir James Martin, on
whom I bestowed a little notice, in order to detach him from Miss
Mainwaring; but, if the world could know my motive THERE they would honour
me. I have been called an unkind mother, but it was the sacred impulse of
maternal affection, it was the advantage of my daughter that led me on; and
if that daughter were not the greatest simpleton on earth, I might have
been rewarded for my exertions as I ought.
Sir James did make proposals to me for Frederica; but Frederica, who was
born to be the torment of my life, chose to set herself so violently
against the match that I thought it better to lay aside the scheme for the
present. I have more than once repented that I did not marry him myself;
Lady Susan |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Happy Prince and Other Tales by Oscar Wilde: think you should have told me that before you began. If you had
done so, I certainly would not have listened to you; in fact, I
should have said 'Pooh,' like the critic. However, I can say it
now"; so he shouted out "Pooh" at the top of his voice, gave a
whisk with his tail, and went back into his hole.
"And how do you like the Water-rat?" asked the Duck, who came
paddling up some minutes afterwards. "He has a great many good
points, but for my own part I have a mother's feelings, and I can
never look at a confirmed bachelor without the tears coming into my
eyes."
"I am rather afraid that I have annoyed him," answered the Linnet.
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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 Blue Flower by Henry van Dyke: sounded in his voice.
"Ever since that day I have inclined to tell you something
more about myself. I felt sure you would understand. I am
planning to write a book--a book of knowledge, in the true
sense--a great book about human life. Not a history, not a
theory, but a real view of life, its hidden motives, its
secret relations. How different they are from what men dream
and imagine and play that they are! How much darker, how much
smaller, and therefore how much more interesting and wonderful.
No one has yet written--perhaps because no one has yet
conceived--such a book as I have in mind. I might call it a
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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 Woman and Labour by Olive Schreiner: hunting and a-fighting, and none there to dress their wounds, or prepare
their meat, or guide and rule the household! Better far might my lord and
his followers come and help us with our work, than that we should go to
help them! You are surely bereft of all wit. What becomes of the country
if the women forsake their toil?"
And the burgher's wife, asked why she did not go to labour in her husband's
workshop, or away into the market-place, or go a-trading to foreign
countries, would certainly have answered: "I am too busy to speak with
such as you! The bread is in the oven (already I smell it a-burning), the
winter is coming on, and my children lack good woollen hose and my husband
needs a warm coat. I have six vats of ale all a-brewing, and I have
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