| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Lady Baltimore by Owen Wister: "Do you think she would have believed me?"
"And why shouldn't--"
"Go out!" she interrupted imperiously and with a stamp of her foot.
"You've been here long enough!"
You may imagine my amazement at this. It was not until I had reached Mrs.
Trevise's, and was sitting down to answer a note which had been left for
me, that light again came. Hortense Rieppe had thought those flowers were
from John Mayrant, and Eliza had let her think so.
Yes, that was light, a good bright light shed on the matter; but a still
more brilliant beam was cast by the up-country bride when I came into the
dining-room. I told her myself, at once, that I had taken flowers to Miss
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Professor by Charlotte Bronte: through my hair, soothed my temples like balm. Its refreshing
effect, however, penetrated no deeper than the mere surface of
the frame; for as I walked by the side of Mdlle. Reuter, my heart
was still hot within me, and while I was musing the fire burned;
then spake I with my tongue:--
"I understand Mdlle. Henri is gone from hence, and will not
return?"
"Ah, true! I meant to have named the subject to you some days
ago, but my time is so completely taken up, I cannot do half the
things I wish: have you never experienced what it is, monsieur,
to find the day too short by twelve hours for your numerous
The Professor |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Spirit of the Border by Zane Grey: from a clear sky. The missionaries behind Edwards stood bewildered, awaiting
the outcome.
But Edwards, without a moment's hesitation, calmly lifted his hand and spoke.
"Beloved Christians, we meet to-day as we have met before, as we hope to meet
in---"
"Spang!"
The whistling of a bullet over the heads of the Christians accompanied the
loud report of a rifle. All presently plainly heard the leaden missile strike.
Edwards wheeled, clutching his side, breathed hard, and then fell heavily
without uttering a cry. He had been shot by an Indian concealed in the
thicket.
The Spirit of the Border |
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 Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin A. Abbot: SPHERE. Analogy! Nonsense: what analogy?
I. Your Lordship tempts his servant to see whether he remembers
the revelations imparted to him. Trifle not with me, my Lord;
I crave, I thirst, for more knowledge. Doubtless we cannot SEE
that other higher Spaceland now, because we we have no eye
in our stomachs. But, just as there WAS the realm of Flatland,
though that poor puny Lineland Monarch could neither turn to left
nor right to discern it, and just as there WAS close at hand,
and touching my frame, the land of Three Dimensions,
though I, blind senseless wretch, had no power to touch it,
no eye in my interior to discern it, so of a surety there is
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions |
