| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Coxon Fund by Henry James: the interest for life, but of which, should she eventually see her
opportunity--the matter was left largely to her discretion--she
would best honour his memory by determining the exemplary public
use. This sum of money, no less than thirteen thousand pounds, was
to be called The Coxon Fund; and poor Sir Gregory evidently
proposed to himself that The Coxon Fund should cover his name with
glory--be universally desired and admired. He left his wife a full
declaration of his views, so far at least as that term may be
applied to views vitiated by a vagueness really infantine. A
little learning's a dangerous thing, and a good citizen who happens
to have been an ass is worse for a community than bad sewerage.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Kenilworth by Walter Scott: damnable sciences, if ever man took degrees in them?' No, by
Heaven! I might wink, and let him catch such a small butterfly
as Goldthred; but thou, my guest, shall be forewarned, forearmed,
so thou wilt but listen to thy trusty host."
"Why, mine host, thy counsel shall not be cast away," replied
Tressilian; "however, I must uphold my share in this wager,
having once passed my word to that effect. But lend me, I pray,
some of thy counsel. This Foster, who or what is he, and why
makes he such mystery of his female inmate?"
"Troth," replied Gosling, "I can add but little to what you heard
last night. He was one of Queen Mary's Papists, and now he is
Kenilworth |
