| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Footnote to History by Robert Louis Stevenson: they test my faith. At the house of Brandeis - a little,
weatherboard house, crammed at the time with natives, men, women,
and squalling children - Leary and Moors again asked for "the high
chief," and, were again assured that he was farther on. A little
beyond, the road ran in one place somewhat inland, the two
Americans had gone down to the line of the beach to continue their
inspection of the breastwork, when Brandeis himself, in his shirt-
sleeves and accompanied by several German officers, passed them by
the line of the road. The two parties saluted in silence. Beyond
Eva Point there was an observable change for the worse in the
reception of the Americans; some whom they met began to mutter at
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Beauty and The Beast by Bayard Taylor: case; only, we never can tell, from one day to another. When
I die, every thing will belong to you two, share and share alike,
either to buy another farm with the money out, or divide this: I
won't tie you up in any way. But two of you will need two farms
for two families; for you won't have to wait twelve years, like
your mother and me."
"We don't want another farm, father!" said David and Jonathan
together.
"I know you don't think so, now. A wife seemed far enough off from
me when I was your age. You've always been satisfied to be with
each other, but that can't last. It was partly your mother's
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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 An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde: MRS. CHEVELEY. Oh, I will tell you. I wanted to interest him in
this Argentine Canal scheme, of which I dare say you have heard. And
I found him most susceptible, - susceptible to reason, I mean. A
rare thing in a man. I converted him in ten minutes. He is going to
make a speech in the House to-morrow night in favour of the idea. We
must go to the Ladies' Gallery and hear him! It will be a great
occasion!
LADY CHILTERN. There must be some mistake. That scheme could never
have my husband's support.
MRS. CHEVELEY. Oh, I assure you it's all settled. I don't regret my
tedious journey from Vienna now. It has been a great success. But,
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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 A Horse's Tale by Mark Twain: reptile. Well, then, has this dog any wings? No. Is he a
plantigrade circumflex vertebrate bacterium? Maybe so, maybe not;
but without ever having seen him, and judging only by his illegal
and spectacular parentage, I will bet the odds of a bale of hay to
a bran mash that he looks it. Finally, is he uncertain? That is
the point - is he uncertain? I will leave it to you if you have
ever heard of a more uncertainer dog than what this one is?"
"No, I never have."
"Well, then, he's a reptile. That's settled."
"Why, look here, whatsyourname"
"Last alias, Mongrel."
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