| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Passion in the Desert by Honore de Balzac: lioness, was distinguished by a rare expression of refinement. The
cold cruelty of a tiger was dominant, it was true, but there was also
a vague resemblance to the face of a sensual woman. Indeed, the face
of this solitary queen had something of the gaiety of a drunken Nero:
she had satiated herself with blood, and she wanted to play.
The soldier tried if he might walk up and down, and the panther left
him free, contenting herself with following him with her eyes, less
like a faithful dog than a big Angora cat, observing everything and
every movement of her master.
When he looked around, he saw, by the spring, the remains of his
horse; the panther had dragged the carcass all that way; about two
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Blix by Frank Norris: widow, a certain Mrs. Kihm, lived in New York, and was wealthy,
and had views on "women's sphere of usefulness." The other, Miss
Bessemer, a little old maid of fifty, Condy had on rare occasions
seen at the flat, where every one called her Aunt Dodd. She lived
in that vague region of the city known as the Mission, where she
owned a little property.
From what Blix told him that evening, Condy learned that Mrs. Kihm
had visited the coast a few winters previous and had taken a great
fancy to Blix. Even then she had proposed to Mr. Bessemer to take
Blix back to New York with her, and educate her to some woman's
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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 Mansion by Henry van Dyke: and it made him afraid to go on. But, as he paused and turned,
the Keeper of the Gate looked straight and deep into his eyes,
and beckoned to him. Then he knew that it was not only right but
necessary that he should enter.
They passed from street to street among fair and spacious
dwellings,
set in amaranthine gardens, and adorned with an infinitely varied
beauty of
divine simplicity. The mansions differed in size, in shape, in
charm:
each one seemed to have its own personal look of loveliness;
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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 Finished by H. Rider Haggard: "Let us follow him," I said to Mr. Anscombe. "He might get into
trouble and want a friend."
He nodded and we strolled after you unostentatiously. Sure
enough you nearly did get into trouble. In front of the first
office door to which you came, stood a group of Boers, two of
whom, big fellows, drew together with the evident intention of
barring your way.
"Mynheeren," you said, "I pray you to let me pass on the Queen's
business."
They took no heed except to draw closer together and laugh
insolently. Again you made your request and again they laughed.
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