| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Crito by Plato: they will be charmed to hear the tale of your escape from prison, set off
with ludicrous particulars of the manner in which you were wrapped in a
goatskin or some other disguise, and metamorphosed as the manner is of
runaways; but will there be no one to remind you that in your old age you
were not ashamed to violate the most sacred laws from a miserable desire of
a little more life? Perhaps not, if you keep them in a good temper; but if
they are out of temper you will hear many degrading things; you will live,
but how?--as the flatterer of all men, and the servant of all men; and
doing what?--eating and drinking in Thessaly, having gone abroad in order
that you may get a dinner. And where will be your fine sentiments about
justice and virtue? Say that you wish to live for the sake of your
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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 American by Henry James: in the servants' hall. It was not their first quarrel,
if the truth must be told. They were not a loving couple,
but they didn't often come to words, because, I think,
neither of them thought the other's doings worth the trouble.
My lady had long ago got over her jealousy, and she had taken
to indifference. In this, I must say, they were well matched.
The marquis was very easy-going; he had a most gentlemanly temper.
He got angry only once a year, but then it was very bad.
He always took to bed directly afterwards. This time I speak
of he took to bed as usual, but he never got up again.
I'm afraid the poor gentleman was paying for his dissipation;
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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 Story of an African Farm by Olive Schreiner: God before his eyes, and he loved a woman. The woman died, and he walked
up that mountain spitting fire, and when he got to the top he threw himself
in at the hole that is there. The next day I went up. I was not afraid;
the Lord preserves His servants. And in their hands shall they bear thee
up, lest at any time thou fall into a volcano. It was dark night when I
got there, but in the fear of the Lord I walked to the edge of the yawning
abyss, and looked in. That sight--that sight, my friends, is impressed
upon my most indelible memory. I looked down into the lurid depths upon an
incandescent lake, a melted fire, a seething sea; the billows rolled from
side to side, and on their fiery crests tossed the white skeleton of the
suicide. The heat had burnt the flesh from off the bones; they lay as 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 Bucky O'Connor by William MacLeod Raine: late, Mr. Collins. We'll have to leave it undiscussed. I'm going
to leave to-day for my uncle s ranch, the Rocking Chair."
He was distinctly disappointed, though he took care not to show
it. Nevertheless, the town felt empty after her train had gone.
He was glad when later in the day a message came calling him to
Epitaph. It took him at least seventy-five miles nearer her.
Before he had been an hour at Epitaph the sheriff knew he had
struck gold this time. Men were in town spending money lavishly,
and at a rough description they answered to the ones he wanted.
Into the Gold Nugget Saloon that evening dropped Val Collins,
big, blond, and jaunty. He looked far less the vigorous sheriff
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