| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from In the Cage by Henry James: the power of any particular person to contribute to all that--"
She had turned her face to him smiling, just thinking.
"Oh see here!" But he was highly amused. "Well, what then?" he
enquired as if to humour her.
"Why the particular person must never fail. We must manage it for
you somehow."
He threw back his head, laughing out; he was really exhilarated.
"Oh yes, somehow!"
"Well, I think we each do--don't we?--in one little way and another
and according to our limited lights. I'm pleased at any rate, for
myself, that you are; for I assure you I've done my best."
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Miracle Mongers and Their Methods by Harry Houdini: the other; that is, placing it so round one's
left hand, that by a sudden jerk, the whole
force exerted shall act on one point of the
rope.
B is a feather bed upon which the performer
falls.
bhu
The posture of Fig. 4 Plate 19 (where
the strong man having an anvil on his
breast or belly, suffers another man to
strike with a sledge hammer and forge
Miracle Mongers and Their Methods |
