| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson by Robert Louis Stevenson: no word of it? Well, these things are beyond arrangement; and the
wind bloweth where it listeth - which, I observe, is generally
towards the west in Scotland. Here it prefers a south-easterly
course, and is called the Mistral - usually with an adjective in
front. But if you will remember my yesterday's toothache and this
morning's crick, you will be in a position to choose an adjective
for yourself. Not that the wind is unhealthy; only when it comes
strong, it is both very high and very cold, which makes it the d-v-
l. But as I am writing to a lady, I had better avoid this topic;
winds requiring a great scope of language.
Please remember me to all at home; give Ramsay a pennyworth of
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Crito by Plato: CRITO: No, the ship has not actually arrived, but she will probably be
here to-day, as persons who have come from Sunium tell me that they have
left her there; and therefore to-morrow, Socrates, will be the last day of
your life.
SOCRATES: Very well, Crito; if such is the will of God, I am willing; but
my belief is that there will be a delay of a day.
CRITO: Why do you think so?
SOCRATES: I will tell you. I am to die on the day after the arrival of
the ship?
CRITO: Yes; that is what the authorities say.
SOCRATES: But I do not think that the ship will be here until to-morrow;
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