| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne: conversation, a stranger would do well to set himself right in the
use of them, before he gets to Paris.
A prompt French marquis at our ambassador's table demanded of Mr.
H-, if he was H- the poet? No, said Mr. H-, mildly. - TANT PIS,
replied the marquis.
It is H- the historian, said another, - TANT MIEUX, said the
marquis. And Mr. H-, who is a man of an excellent heart, return'd
thanks for both.
When the landlord had set me right in this matter, he called in La
Fleur, which was the name of the young man he had spoke of, -
saying only first, That as for his talents he would presume to say
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Outlaw of Torn by Edgar Rice Burroughs: King's forces at Rochester, Battel and elsewhere reached
the ears of Norman of Torn a few days after the com-
ing of the King's message, but at the same time came
other news which hastened his departure toward the
south. This latter word was that Bertrade de Montfort
and her mother, accompanied by Prince Philip, had
landed at Dover, and that upon the same boat had come
Peter of Colfax back to England. The latter doubtless
reassured by the strong conviction, which held in the
minds of all royalists at that time, of the certainty of
victory for the royal arms in the impending conflict
The Outlaw of Torn |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Wrecker by Stevenson & Osbourne: for his own, and stand forth to himself the approved owner.
And here an insurmountable difficulty barred the way. There
were some seventeen shillings in English silver: the rest was
Chile; and the Chile dollar, which had been taken at the rate of
six to the pound sterling, was practically their smallest coin. It
was decided, therefore, to divide the pounds only, and to throw
the shillings, pence, and fractions in a common fund. This,
with the three pound fourteen already in the heel, made a total
of seven pounds one shilling.
"I'll tell you," said Wicks. "Let Carthew and Tommy and me
take one pound apiece, and Hemstead and Amalu split the
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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 Scenes from a Courtesan's Life by Honore de Balzac: buttons, as the Duc de Maufrigneuse does. In short, try to look
young."
"Monsieur," said Georges, "here is Mademoiselle Eugenie."
"Adie, motame," said the banker, and he escorted his wife as far as
her own rooms, to make sure that she should not overhear their
conference.
On his return, he took Europe by the hand and led her into his room
with a sort of ironical respect.
"Vell, my chilt, you are a happy creature, for you are de maid of dat
most beautiful voman in de vorlt. And your fortune shall be made if
you vill talk to her for me and in mine interests."
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