| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Michael Strogoff by Jules Verne: sible. The newly-frozen plain could not bear the weight of
an assaulting column.
This circumstance, as it appeared favorable to the de-
fenders of Irkutsk, Ogareff might have regretted. He did
not do so, however. The traitor knew well that the Tar-
tars would not try to pass the Angara, and that, on its side
at least, their attempt was only a feint.
About ten in the evening, the state of the river sensibly
improved, to the great surprise of the besieged and still
more to their disadvantage. The passage till then imprac-
ticable, became all at once possible. The bed of the Angara
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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 Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: "Here, your excellency," said Peppino, taking the fowl from
the young bandit and placing it on the worm-eaten table,
which with the stool and the goat-skin bed formed the entire
furniture of the cell. Danglars asked for a knife and fork.
"Here, excellency," said Peppino, offering him a little
blunt knife and a boxwood fork. Danglars took the knife in
one hand and the fork in the other, and was about to cut up
the fowl. "Pardon me, excellency," said Peppino, placing his
hand on the banker's shoulder; "people pay here before they
eat. They might not be satisfied, and" --
"Ah, ha," thought Danglars, "this is not so much like Paris,
The Count of Monte Cristo |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne: even after the event; but 'tis obviated under the second reason, which I
have the honour to offer to the world in support of my opinion, that my
father did not write the chapter upon sash-windows and chamber-pots, at the
time supposed,--and it is this.
--That, in order to render the Tristra-paedia complete,--I wrote the
chapter myself.
Chapter 3.XXVII.
My father put on his spectacles--looked,--took them off,--put them into the
case--all in less than a statutable minute; and without opening his lips,
turned about and walked precipitately down stairs: my mother imagined he
had stepped down for lint and basilicon; but seeing him return with 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 Nada the Lily by H. Rider Haggard: you, and leave Axe Groan-Maker and Club Watcher to see this matter out
alone."
Now there arose a mighty shout of "We will die together who have lived
together!"
"Do you swear it?" cried Umslopogaas, holding Groan-Maker on high.
"We swear it by the Axe," they answered.
Then Umslopogaas and Galazi made ready for the battle. They posted all
the young men in the broken ground above the bottom of the slope, for
these could best be spared to the spear, and Galazi the Wolf took
command of them; but the veterans stayed upon the hillside, and with
them Umslopogaas.
Nada the Lily |
