| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Secret Places of the Heart by H. G. Wells: were some moments of hope, dashed by the necessity of going
dead slow behind an interloping van. Sir Richmond did not
notice the outstretched arm of the driver of the van, and
stalled his engine for a second time. The electric starter
refused its office altogether.
For some moments Sir Richmond sat like a man of stone.
"I must wind it up " he said at last in a profound and awful
voice. "I must wind it up."
"I get out, don't I?" asked the doctor, unanswered, and did
so. Sir Richmond, after a grim search and the displacement
and replacement of the luggage, produced a handle from 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 A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift: less than ten shillings a piece per annum, the nation's stock
will be thereby encreased fifty thousand pounds per annum,
besides the profit of a new dish, introduced to the tables of all
gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom, who have any refinement in
taste. And the money will circulate among our selves, the goods
being entirely of our own growth and manufacture.
Fourthly, The constant breeders, besides the gain of eight
shillings sterling per annum by the sale of their children, will
be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year.
Fifthly, This food would likewise bring great custom to taverns,
where the vintners will certainly be so prudent as to procure the
A Modest Proposal |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson: speak of him. All that you say of Henry is most true; I do not
wonder, I know him to be very magnanimous; you will say I trade
upon the knowledge? It is possible; there are dangerous virtues:
virtues that tempt the encroacher. Mr. Mackellar, I will make it
up to him; I will take order with all this. I have been weak; and,
what is worse, I have been dull!"
"I must not hear you blame yourself, my lord, with that which I
have yet to tell upon my conscience," I replied. "You have not
been weak; you have been abused by a devilish dissembler. You saw
yourself how he had deceived you in the matter of his danger; he
has deceived you throughout in every step of his career. I wish to
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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 Emma McChesney & Co. by Edna Ferber: last night. It was the new food. She's not used to it yet."
"But, you foolish children, can't I peek at her?"
"Oh, dear, no!" said Grace hastily. "We never go into her
room when she's asleep. This is your room, mother dear. And
just as soon as she wakes up--this is your bath--you'll want to
freshen up. Dear me; who could have hung the baby's little shirt
here? The nurse, I suppose. If I don't attend to every little
thing----"
Emma took off her hat and smoothed her hair with light, deft
fingers. She turned a smiling face toward Jock and Grace
standing there in the doorway.
Emma McChesney & Co. |
