| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte: hear - '
'But what good will they do you?'
'What good! Think of any woman asking that!'
'Well, I should think one conquest would be enough; and too much,
unless the subjugation were mutual.'
'Oh, but you know I never agree with you on those points. Now,
wait a bit, and I'll tell you my principal admirers - those who
made themselves very conspicuous that night and after: for I've
been to two parties since. Unfortunately the two noblemen, Lord G-
and Lord F-, were married, or I might have condescended to be
particularly gracious to THEM; as it was, I did not: though Lord
Agnes Grey |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson: Ballantrae was now got close up. "Keep still," says he, and seemed
to consider; and then, "Reach out both your hands!"
Dutton laid down his pistol, and so watery was the top surface that
it went clear out of sight; with an oath he stooped to snatch it;
and as he did so, Ballantrae leaned forth and stabbed him between
the shoulders. Up went his hands over his head - I know not
whether with the pain or to ward himself; and the next moment he
doubled forward in the mud.
Ballantrae was already over the ankles; but he plucked himself out,
and came back to me, where I stood with my knees smiting one
another. "The devil take you, Francis!" says he. "I believe you
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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 Kenilworth by Walter Scott: days, it must be remembered, were men of far greater importance
than the degenerate and degraded hawkers of our modern times. It
was by means of these peripatetic venders that the country trade,
in the finer manufactures used in female dress particularly, was
almost entirely carried on; and if a merchant of this description
arrived at the dignity of travelling with a pack-horse, he was a
person of no small consequence, and company for the most
substantial yeoman or franklin whom he might meet in his
wanderings.
The pedlar of whom we speak bore, accordingly, an active and
unrebuked share in the merriment to which the rafters of the
Kenilworth |
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 The United States Bill of Rights: and the persons or things to be seized.
V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime,
unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising
in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service
in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for
the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb;
nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself,
nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;
nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.
VI
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