| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Lady Susan by Jane Austen: visit here even an hour. I am perfectly aware that after what has passed
between us it would ill suit the feelings of either to remain longer in the
same house: so very great, so total a change from the intimacy of
friendship must render any future intercourse the severest punishment; and
your resolution of quitting Churchhill is undoubtedly in unison with our
situation, and with those lively feelings which I know you to possess. But,
at the same time, it is not for me to suffer such a sacrifice as it must be
to leave relations to whom you are so much attached, and are so dear. My
remaining here cannot give that pleasure to Mr. and Mrs. Vernon which your
society must; and my visit has already perhaps been too long. My removal,
therefore, which must, at any rate, take place soon, may, with perfect
Lady Susan |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery: notes and Julia Bell passing a "chew" of gum down from the back
seat. Anne drew a long breath of happiness as she sharpened her
pencil and arranged her picture cards in her desk. Life was
certainly very interesting.
In the new teacher she found another true and helpful friend.
Miss Stacy was a bright, sympathetic young woman with the happy
gift of winning and holding the affections of her pupils and
bringing out the best that was in them mentally and morally.
Anne expanded like a flower under this wholesome influence and
carried home to the admiring Matthew and the critical Marilla
glowing accounts of schoolwork and aims.
Anne of Green Gables |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Unseen World and Other Essays by John Fiske: and horrified by the terrible punishments described in the
"Inferno." He did not duly consider that in Dante's time these
fearful things were an indispensable part of every man's theory
of the world; and, blinded by his kindly prejudices, he does not
seem to have perceived that Dante, in accepting eternal torments
as part and parcel of the system of nature, was nevertheless, in
describing them, inspired with that ineffable tenderness of pity
which, in the episodes of Francesca and of Brunetto Latini, has
melted the hearts of men in past times, and will continue to do
so in times to come. "Infinite pity, yet infinite rigour of law!
It is so Nature is made: it is so Dante discerned that she was
The Unseen World and Other Essays |
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 Montezuma's Daughter by H. Rider Haggard: life-blood. Because Otomie loved me she had chosen this fearful
death, because she loved me so well that she desired to die thus at
my side rather than to live on in greatness and honour without me.
Of a sudden, in a moment while I thought of this marvel, a new
light shone upon my heart and it was changed towards her. I felt
that no woman could ever be so dear to me as this glorious woman,
no, not even my betrothed. I felt--nay, who can say what I did
feel? But I know this, that the tears rushed to my eyes and ran
down my painted face, and I turned my head to look at her. She was
lying as much upon her left side as her hands would allow, her long
hair fell from the stone to the paving where it lay in masses, and
Montezuma's Daughter |
