| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Z. Marcas by Honore de Balzac: superior clerk. He had taken his doctor's degree in law, had mastered
the old and modern codes, and could hold his own with the most famous
pleaders. He had studied the law of nations, and was familiar with
European treaties and international practice. He had studied men and
things in five capitals--London, Berlin, Vienna, Petersburg, and
Constantinople.
No man was better informed than he as to the rules of the Chamber. For
five years he had been reporter of the debates for a daily paper. He
spoke extempore and admirably, and could go on for a long time in that
deep, appealing voice which had struck us to the soul. Indeed, he
proved by the narrative of his life that he was a great orator, a
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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 Psychology of Revolution by Gustave le Bon: government. He recognised all the conquests of the Revolution:
the civil Code, equality before the law, liberty of worship,
irrevocability of the sale of national property, &c. The right
of suffrage, however, was limited to those paying a certain
amount in taxes.
This liberal Constitution was opposed by the ultra-royalists.
Returned emigres, they wanted the restitution of the national
property, and the re-establishment of their ancient privileges.
Fearing that such a reaction might cause a new revolution, Louis
XVIII. was reduced to dissolving the Chamber. The election
having returned moderate deputies, he was able to continue to
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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 Herbert West: Reanimator by H. P. Lovecraft: gigantic struggle. I had not entered the army on my own initiative,
but rather as a natural result of the enlistment of the man whose
indispensable assistant I was -- the celebrated Boston surgical
specialist, Dr. Herbert West. Dr. West had been avid for a chance
to serve as surgeon in a great war, and when the chance had come,
he carried me with him almost against my will. There were reasons
why I could have been glad to let the war separate us; reasons
why I found the practice of medicine and the companionship of
West more and more irritating; but when he had gone to Ottawa
and through a colleague�s influence secured a medical commission
as Major, I could not resist the imperious persuasion of one determined
Herbert West: Reanimator |
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 Outlaw of Torn by Edgar Rice Burroughs: her swoon?"
"Yes, Sir Peter," replied the old woman, "I was but
just urging her to arise and clothe herself, saying that
you awaited her below."
"Haste then, My Lady Bertrade," called the man,
"no harm will be done thee if thou showest the good
sense I give thee credit for. I will await thee in the
great hall, or, if thou prefer, wilt come to thee here."
The girl paled, more in loathing and contempt than
in fear, but the tones of her answer were calm and
level.
The Outlaw of Torn |
