| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Tono Bungay by H. G. Wells: brigandage, as though I was some intrusive sort of bandit among
these orderly things. It is the first time I remember having
that outlaw feeling distinctly, a feeling that has played a
large part in my subsequent life. I felt there existed no place
for me that I had to drive myself in.
Presently, down the hill, the servants appeared, straggling by
twos and threes, first some of the garden people and the butler's
wife with them, then the two laundry maids, odd inseparable old
creatures, then the first footman talking to the butler's little
girl, and at last, walking grave and breathless beside old Ann
and Miss Fison, the black figure of my mother.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne: the slightly piquant nose, and the wholesome bloom, and the
clear shade of tan, and the half dozen freckles, friendly
remembrances of the April sun and breeze--precisely give us a
right to call her beautiful. But there was both lustre and depth in
her eyes. She was very pretty; as graceful as a bird, and graceful
much in the same way; as pleasant about the house as a gleam of
sunshine falling on the floor through a shadow of twinkling leaves,
or as a ray of firelight that dances on the wall while evening is
drawing nigh. Instead of discussing her claim to rank among ladies,
it would be preferable to regard Phoebe as the example of feminine
grace and availability combined, in a state of society, if there
House of Seven Gables |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Jerusalem Delivered by Torquato Tasso: To north or south, but still did forward ride
O'er seas and streams, till Syria's coasts she spied.
LXXI
Now she went forward to Damascus fair,
But of her country dear she fled the sight,
And guided to Asphaltes' lake her chair,
Where stood her castle, there she ends her flight,
And from her damsels far, she made repair
To a deep vault, far from resort and light,
Where in sad thoughts a thousand doubts she cast,
Till grief and shame to wrath gave place at last.
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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 Malbone: An Oldport Romance by Thomas Wentworth Higginson: bore her to the door, Hope preceding.
Motioning him to pause a moment, she turned the lock softly,
and looked out into the dark entry. All was still. She went
out, and he followed with his motionless burden. They walked
stealthily, like guilty things, yet every slight motion seemed
to ring in their ears. It was chilly, and Hope shivered.
Through the great open window on the stairway a white fog
peered in at them, and the distant fog-whistle came faintly
through; it seemed as if the very atmosphere were condensing
about them, to isolate the house in which such deeds were done.
The clock struck twelve, and it seemed as if it struck a
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