| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Memorabilia by Xenophon: they have their worth; but who shall gauge the worth of a worthy
friend? Kindlier and more constant than the faithfullest of slaves--
this is that possession best named all-serviceable.[4] Consider what
the post is that he assigns himself! to meet and supplement what is
lacking to the welfare of his friends, to promote their private and
their public interests, is his concern. Is there need of kindly action
in any quarter? he will throw in the full weight of his support. Does
some terror confound? he is at hand to help and defend by expenditure
of money and of energy,[5] by appeals to reason or resort to force.
His the privilege alike to gladden the prosperous in the hour of
success and to sustain their footing who have well-nigh slipped. All
The Memorabilia |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Pool in the Desert by Sara Jeanette Duncan: that I also must talk about it and explain it; I could never bring
it out just as we went along. It would have been a curious reason
in connection with anybody, but doubly so as explaining the
behaviour of Miss Anderson, whose profile gave you the impression
that she was anything but the shuttlecock of her emotions. Shortly,
her reason was a convict, Number 1596, who, up to February in that
year, had been working, or rather waiting, out his sentence in the
State penitentiary. So long as he worked or waited, Madeline
remained in New York, but when in February death gave him his
quittance, she took her freedom too, with wide intentions and many
coupons.
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