| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe: we were like to have in the ship, that he was quite another man,
and new vigour and courage appeared in his very countenance.
So true is it, that the greatest of spirits, when overwhelmed
by their afflictions, are subject to the greatest dejections, and
are the most apt to despair and give themselves up.
After some little pause to recover himself, my husband came
up with me, and gave the mate thanks for the kindness, which
he had expressed to us, and sent suitable acknowledgment by
him to the captain, offering to pay him by advance, whatever
he demanded for our passage, and for the conveniences he had
helped us to. The mate told him that the captain would be on
Moll Flanders |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Exiles by Honore de Balzac: yourself in Paradise."
The soldier smiled. For the first time, perhaps for the only time in
his life, Dante's gloomy and solemn features wore a look of joy; his
eyes and brows expressed the happiness he has depicted so lavishly in
his vision of Paradise. He thought perhaps that he heard the voice of
Beatrice.
A light step, and the rustle of a woman's gown, were audible in the
silence. Dawn was now showing its first streaks of light. The fair
Comtesse de Mahaut came in and flew to Godefroid.
"Come, my child, my son! I may at last acknowledge you. Your birth is
recognized, your rights are under the protection of the King of
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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 Bunner Sisters by Edith Wharton: with remorseful eyes. "It was him that made me get that hundred
dollars out of you."
"Hush, hush. I always meant it for you anyhow."
"Yes, but I wouldn't have taken it if he hadn't been at me the
whole time. He used to make me do just what he wanted. Well, when
I said I wouldn't write to you for more money he said I'd better
try and earn some myself. That was when he struck me. . . . Oh,
you don't know what I'm talking about yet! . . . I tried to get
work at a milliner's, but I was so sick I couldn't stay. I was
sick all the time. I wisht I'd ha' died, Ann Eliza."
"No, no, Evelina."
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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 Lay Morals by Robert Louis Stevenson: not long since delighted us in this favoured town, has never
attempted to write an epic, but has chosen a new path, and
has excelled upon the tight-rope. A marked example of
triumph over this is the case of Mr. Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
On the face of the matter, I should have advised him to
imitate the pleasing modesty of the last-named gentleman, and
confine his ambition to the sawdust. But Mr. Rossetti has
triumphed. He has even dared to translate from his mighty
name-father; and the voice of fame supports him in his
boldness.
Dear readers, one might write a year upon this matter. A
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