| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Enemies of Books by William Blades: and was, he loves not parchment, and at that time paper was not.
Whether at a still earlier period he attacked the papyrus, the paper
of the Egyptians, I know not--probably he did, as it was a purely
vegetable substance; and if so, it is quite possible that the worm of to-day,
in such evil repute with us, is the lineal descendant of ravenous ancestors
who plagued the sacred Priests of On in the time of Joseph's Pharaoh,
by destroying their title deeds and their books of Science.
Rare things and precious, as manuscripts were before the invention
of typography, are well preserved, but when the printing press
was invented and paper books were multiplied in the earth;
when libraries increased and readers were many, then familiarity
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Adam Bede by George Eliot: come at last. The doctors' evidence is heavy on her--is heavy.
But she's gone on denying she's had a child from first to last.
These poor silly women-things--they've not the sense to know it's
no use denying what's proved. It'll make against her with the
jury, I doubt, her being so obstinate: they may be less for
recommending her to mercy, if the verdict's against her. But Mr.
Irwine 'ull leave no stone unturned with the judge--you may rely
upon that, Adam."
"Is there nobody to stand by her and seem to care for her in the
court?" said Adam.
"There's the chaplain o' the jail sits near her, but he's a sharp
Adam Bede |
