| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Sportsman by Xenophon: prevent their rotting. They should have well-rounded hooplike
"crowns"[23] with alternate rows of nails of wood and iron woven into
the coil.[24] The iron nails should be larger, so that while the
wooden ones yield to the foot, the others may press into it.[25] The
noose of the cord which will be laid upon "the crown" should be woven
out of esparto and so should the rope itself, this kind of grass being
least liable to rot. The rope and noose itself should both alike be
stout. The log or clog of wood attached should be made of common or of
holm oak with the bark on, three spans in length, and a palm in
thickness.[26]
[19] {podostrabai}, podostrabai so called. Cf. "the boot."
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Wife, et al by Anton Chekhov: "Very well," said Dymov; "I will go tomorrow and send them to
you."
"Tomorrow?" asked Olga Ivanovna, and she looked at him surprised.
"You won't have time tomorrow. The first train goes tomorrow at
nine, and the wedding's at eleven. No, darling, it must be today;
it absolutely must be today. If you won't be able to come
tomorrow, send them by a messenger. Come, you must run along. . .
. The passenger train will be in directly; don't miss it,
darling."
"Very well."
"Oh, how sorry I am to let you go!" said Olga Ivanovna, and tears
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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 Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield: looking at her? They must be. It was a mistake to have come; she knew all
along it was a mistake. Should she go back even now?
No, too late. This was the house. It must be. A dark knot of people
stood outside. Beside the gate an old, old woman with a crutch sat in a
chair, watching. She had her feet on a newspaper. The voices stopped as
Laura drew near. The group parted. It was as though she was expected, as
though they had known she was coming here.
Laura was terribly nervous. Tossing the velvet ribbon over her shoulder,
she said to a woman standing by, "Is this Mrs. Scott's house?" and the
woman, smiling queerly, said, "It is, my lass."
Oh, to be away from this! She actually said, "Help me, God," as she walked
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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 Just Folks by Edgar A. Guest: And noticing upon its tail the barn door's rusty key,
Would, with the scoffers on the street, have chortled in my glee;
And with a sneer upon my lips I would have said of Ben,
"His belfry must be full of bats. He's raving, boys, again!"
I'm glad I didn't live on earth when Fulton had his dream,
And told his neighbors marvelous tales of what he'd do with steam,
For I'm not sure I'd not have been a member of the throng
That couldn't see how paddle-wheels could shove a boat along.
At "Fulton's Folly" I'd have sneered, as thousands did back then,
And called the Clermont's architect the craziest of men.
Yet Franklin gave us wonders great and Fulton did the same,
Just Folks |
