| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson by Robert Louis Stevenson: psychology in it; that interested me much: my grandmother (as I
used to call that able paper, and an able paper it is, and a fair
one) cannot so much as observe the existence of savage psychology
when it is put before it. I am at bottom a psychologist and
ashamed of it; the tale seized me one-third because of its
picturesque features, two-thirds because of its astonishing
psychology, and the SPECTATOR says there's none. I am going on
with a lot of island work, exulting in the knowledge of a new
world, 'a new created world' and new men; and I am sure my income
will DECLINE and FALL off; for the effort of comprehension is death
to the intelligent public, and sickness to the dull.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Alcibiades II by Platonic Imitator: which we propose so confidently to do or say?
ALCIBIADES: Yes, in my opinion.
SOCRATES: We may take the orators for an example, who from time to time
advise us about war and peace, or the building of walls and the
construction of harbours, whether they understand the business in hand, or
only think that they do. Whatever the city, in a word, does to another
city, or in the management of her own affairs, all happens by the counsel
of the orators.
ALCIBIADES: True.
SOCRATES: But now see what follows, if I can (make it clear to you).
(Some words appear to have dropped out here.) You would distinguish the
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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 A Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne: sorry the master of the hotel was for his affront to me in bidding
me change my lodgings.
A man who values a good night's rest will not lie down with enmity
in his heart, if he can help it. - So I bid La Fleur tell the
master of the hotel, that I was sorry on my side for the occasion I
had given him; - and you may tell him, if you will, La Fleur, added
I, that if the young woman should call again, I shall not see her.
This was a sacrifice not to him, but myself, having resolved, after
so narrow an escape, to run no more risks, but to leave Paris, if
it was possible, with all the virtue I enter'd it.
C'EST DEROGER E NOBLESSE, MONSIEUR, said La Fleur, making me a bow
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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 The Lesser Bourgeoisie by Honore de Balzac: several seconds. Suddenly a terrible cry escaped her breast; she ran
for refuge into the arms of Corentin, and pressing herself against him
with all her force, she exclaimed:--
"Save me! save me! It is he! the wretch! It is he who did it!"
And, with her finger pointed at la Peyrade, she seemed to nail the
miserable object of her terror to his place.
After this explosion, she muttered a few disconnected words, and her
eyes closed; Corentin felt the relaxing of all the muscles by which
she had held him as in a vice the moment before, and he took her in
his arms and laid her on the sofa, insensible.
"Do not stay here, monsieur," said Corentin. "Go into my study; I will
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