| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Protagoras by Plato: well as Alcibiades and Critias, both of whom said a few words--in the
presence of a distinguished company consisting of disciples of Protagoras
and of leading Athenians belonging to the Socratic circle. The dialogue
commences with a request on the part of Hippocrates that Socrates would
introduce him to the celebrated teacher. He has come before the dawn had
risen--so fervid is his zeal. Socrates moderates his excitement and
advises him to find out 'what Protagoras will make of him,' before he
becomes his pupil.
They go together to the house of Callias; and Socrates, after explaining
the purpose of their visit to Protagoras, asks the question, 'What he will
make of Hippocrates.' Protagoras answers, 'That he will make him a better
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne: picquets, and other little military stores, in order to carry them off the
field--when a heigh-ho! from the sentry-box, which being made of thin slit
deal, reverberated the sound more sorrowfully to his ear, forbad him.
--No; said the corporal to himself, I'll do it before his honour rises to-
morrow morning; so taking his spade out of the wheel-barrow again, with a
little earth in it, as if to level something at the foot of the glacis--but
with a real intent to approach nearer to his master, in order to divert
him--he loosen'd a sod or two--pared their edges with his spade, and having
given them a gentle blow or two with the back of it, he sat himself down
close by my uncle Toby's feet and began as follows.
Chapter 4.XLIII.
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