| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Court Life in China by Isaac Taylor Headland: "The city gate will be closed before we can reach it if I
return," said he, "and we will not be able to get in to-night."
"No matter about that," I insisted, "go back and give them the
money."
He turned around with many mutterings, lashed up his mule at the
top of his speed, gave them the money, and then started on a
gallop for the city gate. It was a rough ride in that springless
cart over the rutty roads. But my house seemed warmer that night
and my bed seemed softer after I had paid the carter myself.
Among my friends and patients none are more interesting than the
Misses Hsu. They are very intelligent, and after I had become
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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 Riverman by Stewart Edward White: tin plates and cups. From the open fifty-pound lard pails and
kettles they helped themselves liberally; then retired to squat in
little groups here and there near the sources of supply. Mere
conversation yielded to an industrious silence. Sadly the cook
surveyed the scene, his arms folded across the dirty white apron, an
immense mental reservation accenting the melancholy of his
countenance. After some moments of contemplation he mixed a
fizzling concoction of vinegar and soda, which he drank. His
rotundity to the contrary notwithstanding, he was ravaged by a
gnawing dyspepsia, and the sight of six eggs eaten as a side dish to
substantials carried consternation to his interior.
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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 Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare: And doth it giue me such a sight as this?
Mo. Accur'st, vnhappie, wretched hatefull day,
Most miserable houre, that ere time saw
In lasting labour of his Pilgrimage.
But one, poore one, one poore and louing Child,
But one thing to reioyce and solace in,
And cruell death hath catcht it from my sight
Nur. O wo, O wofull, wofull, wofull day,
Most lamentable day, most wofull day,
That euer, euer, I did yet behold.
O day, O day, O day, O hatefull day,
Romeo and Juliet |
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 Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini: any persuasions to have been necessary."
"Ah, the courtier!" said madame, and abandoned him her hand. "We
are to have a little talk, Andre-Louis," she informed him, with a
gravity that left him vaguely ill at ease.
They sat down, and for a while the conversation was of general
matters, chiefly concerned, however, with Andre-Louis, his
occupations and his views. And all the while madame was studying
him attentively with those gentle, wistful eyes, until again that
sense of uneasiness began to pervade him. He realized instinctively
that he had been brought here for some purpose deeper than that
which had been avowed.
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