| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Maid Marian by Thomas Love Peacock: the towers and spires of Nottingham, where the knight introduced
himself to the sheriff, and demanded an armed force to assist in
the apprehension of the outlawed Earl of Huntingdon. The sheriff,
who was willing to have his share of the prize, determined to accompany
the knight in person, and regaled him and his man with good store
of the best; after which, they, with a stout retinue of fifty men,
took the way to Gamwell feast.
"God's my life," said the sheriff, as they rode along,
"I had as lief you would tell me of a service of plate.
I much doubt if this outlawed earl, this forester Robin,
be not the man they call Robin Hood, who has quartered
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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: It is well that you should know the sort of people you
have come among."
"Well," said Newman, "I can only say, in return, that I am NOT proud;
I shan't mind you! But you speak as if you intended to be very disagreeable."
"I shall not enjoy having my daughter marry you, and I shall not pretend
to enjoy it. If you don't mind that, so much the better."
"If you stick to your own side of the contract we shall
not quarrel; that is all I ask of you," said Newman.
"Keep your hands off, and give me an open field.
I am very much in earnest, and there is not the slightest
danger of my getting discouraged or backing out.
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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 Lemorne Versus Huell by Elizabeth Drew Stoddard: "It makes one dreamy."
"A child."
"Yes, a child; not a man nor a woman."
"I teach music. I can not dream over 'one, two, three.'"
"*You*--a music teacher!"
"For six years."
I was aware that he looked at me from head to foot, and I picked
at the lace on my invariable black silk; but what did it matter
whether I owned that I was a genteel pauper, representing my aunt's
position for two months, or not?
"Where?"
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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 A Voyage to Arcturus by David Lindsay: "It is the one we guard most jealously," said Joiwind.
The shade of the trees afforded a timely screen from the now almost
insufferable rays of Branchspell, which was climbing steadily upward
to the zenith. On descending the other side of the little hills,
Maskull looked anxiously for traces of Nightspore and Krag, but
without result. After staring about him for a few minutes he
shrugged his shoulders; but suspicions had already begun to gather in
his mind.
A small, natural amphitheatre lay at their feet, completely circled
by the tree - clad heights. The centre was of red sand. In the very
middle shot up a tall, stately tree, with a black trunk and branches,
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