| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Market-Place by Harold Frederic: Thorpe asked the question with a good-natured if peremptory
frankness which came most readily to him in the presence
of this American lady, herself so outspoken and masterful.
"I don't know that I specially doubt it," she replied.
"I suppose any man has in him the makings of what is called
a good husband--if the conditions are sufficiently propitious."
"Well then--what's the matter with the conditions?"
he demanded, jocosely.
Miss Madden shrugged her shoulders slightly. Thorpe noted
the somewhat luxuriant curves of these splendid shoulders,
and the creamy whiteness of the skin, upon which,
The Market-Place |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Blue Flower by Henry van Dyke: wearily at a railway station for his train. Nothing pleased
him. He responded to nothing.
Graham controlled his indignation by a constant effort.
A dozen times he was on the point of speaking out. But he
restrained himself and played fair. Dorothy's suffering could
not be hidden. Her loyalty was strained to the breaking
point. She was too tender and true for anger, but she was
wounded almost beyond endurance.
Keene's restlessness increased. The intervening Thursday
was Thanksgiving Day; most of the boys had gone home; the
school had holiday. Early in the morning he came to me.
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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 A Daughter of Eve by Honore de Balzac: the wall in big letters, with the rapidity of a young man, "February
17th, 1835." This pretty, artless action, done in such a passion of
gratitude, touched the countess to tears.
"My sister will come too," she said.
"The other, too! When? when? God grant it be before I die!"
"She will come to thank you for a great service I am now here to ask
of you."
"Quick! quick! tell me what it is," cried Schmucke. "What must I do?
go to the devil?"
"Nothing more than write the words 'Accepted for ten thousand francs,'
and sign your name on each of these papers," she said, taking from her
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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 Common Sense by Thomas Paine: could have a navy as large again. The navy of England is not worth,
at this time, more than three millions and an half sterling.
The first and second editions of this pamphlet were published without
the following calculations, which are now given as a proof that the
above estimation of the navy is just.
[See Entic's naval history, intro. page 56.]
The charge of building a ship of each rate, and furnishing her with masts,
yards, sails and rigging, together with a proportion of eight months
boatswain's and carpenter's seastores, as calculated by Mr. Burchett,
Secretary to the navy.
[pounds Sterling]
Common Sense |
