| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Michael Strogoff by Jules Verne: But that was not Blount's idea, who did not intend to
give up the wicket, but have it in his power to send off the
news just as the events occurred. He would therefore not
make way for his companion.
"But you have finished!" exclaimed Jolivet.
"I have not finished," returned Harry Blount quietly.
And he proceeded to write some sentences, which he
handed in to the clerk, who read out in his calm voice:
"John Gilpin was a citizen of credit and renown; a train-
band captain eke was he of famous London town."
Harry Blount was telegraphing some verses learned in
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift: but I soon rejected that project with horror, by remembering the
oath I had made to the emperor, the favours I received from him,
and the high title of NARDAC he conferred upon me. Neither had I
so soon learned the gratitude of courtiers, to persuade myself,
that his majesty's present seventies acquitted me of all past
obligations.
At last, I fixed upon a resolution, for which it is probable I
may incur some censure, and not unjustly; for I confess I owe the
preserving of mine eyes, and consequently my liberty, to my own
great rashness and want of experience; because, if I had then
known the nature of princes and ministers, which I have since
Gulliver's Travels |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Koran: He it is who brought forth gardens with trailed and untrailed vines,
and the palms and corn land, with various food, and olives, and
pomegranates, alike and unlike. Eat from the fruit thereof whene'er it
fruits, and bring the dues thereof on the day of harvest, and be not
extravagant; verily, He loves not the extravagant.
Of cattle are there some to ride on and to spread. Eat of what God
has bestowed upon you, and follow not the footsteps of Satan;
verily, he is to you an open foe.
Eight pairs,- of sheep two, and of goats two; say, 'Are the two
males unlawful, or the two females, or what the wombs of the two
females contain? inform me with knowledge if ye tell the truth.' And
The Koran |
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 The Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson: merchant of Albany who knew him after the '45 and had mighty
convenient suspicions of a murder: some one of the name of Chew it
was, another Albanian. No one here will be surprised if I deny him
my door; he will not be suffered to address my children, nor even
to salute my wife: as for myself, I make so much exception for a
brother that he may speak to me. I should lose my pleasure else,"
says my lord, rubbing his palms.
Presently he bethought himself, and set men off running, with
billets, to summon the magnates of the province. I cannot recall
what pretext he employed; at least, it was successful; and when our
ancient enemy appeared upon the scene, he found my lord pacing in
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