| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Democracy In America, Volume 2 by Alexis de Toqueville: apprehends, the more general ideas is he naturally led to
conceive. A multitude of particular facts cannot be seen
separately, without at last discovering the common tie which
connects them. Several individuals lead to the perception of the
species; several species to that of the genus. Hence the habit
and the taste for general ideas will always be greatest amongst a
people of ancient cultivation and extensive knowledge.
But there are other reasons which impel men to generalize
their ideas, or which restrain them from it.
The Americans are much more addicted to the use of general
ideas than the English, and entertain a much greater relish for
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson by Robert Louis Stevenson: landlady remarks several times a day, as this strange occupant
enters or quits the house, 'Dere's de author.' Can it be that this
bright-haired innocent has found the true clue to the mystery? The
being in question is, at least, poor enough to belong to that
honourable craft.
His next appearance is at the restaurant of one Donadieu, in Bush
Street, between Dupont and Kearney, where a copious meal, half a
bottle of wine, coffee and brandy may be procured for the sum of
four bits, ALIAS fifty cents., 0 pounds, 2s. 2d. sterling. The
wine is put down in a whole bottleful, and it is strange and
painful to observe the greed with which the gentleman in question
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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 Tales of the Klondyke by Jack London: I give the word." The Kentuckian groped about him in the murky
darkness. "Now, suh, now is the accepted time!"
There was a great surge, and a quarter of a ton of human flesh
tottered and crashed to its fall against the side-wall. Pegs drew
and guy-ropes parted, and the tent, collapsing, wrapped the battle
in its greasy folds.
"Yer only makin' it harder fer yerself," Red Bill continued, at
the same time driving both his thumbs into a hairy throat, the
possessor of which he had pinned down. "You've made nuisance
enough a' ready, an' it'll take half the day to get things
straightened when we've strung yeh up."
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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 Dynamiter by Robert Louis Stevenson and Fanny Van De Grift Stevenson: Florizel, smiling. 'For I must not suffer you to take your
father for a rule. He was poor, you are rich. He had many
calls upon his poverty: there are none upon your wealth.
And indeed, madam, if you will let me touch this matter with
a needle, there is but one point in common to your two
positions: that each had a daughter more remarkable for
liveliness than duty.'
'I have been entrapped into this house,' said the old lady,
getting to her feet. 'But it shall not avail. Not all the
tobacconists in Europe . . .'
'Ah, madam,' interrupted Florizel, 'before what is referred
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