| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Legend of Montrose by Walter Scott: conceived might be easily attained by lending to the Parliament
the effectual assistance of the Scottish forces. The
Presbyterians, a numerous and powerful party in the English
Parliament, had hitherto taken the lead in opposition to the
King; while the Independents and other sectaries, who afterwards,
under Cromwell, resumed the power of the sword, and overset the
Presbyterian model both in Scotland and England, were as yet
contented to lurk under the shelter of the wealthier and more
powerful party. The prospect of bringing to a uniformity the
kingdoms of England and Scotland in discipline and worship,
seemed therefore as fair as it was desirable.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Malbone: An Oldport Romance by Thomas Wentworth Higginson: pointed to the heavy spars, the dark canvas, and the high
quarter-deck which made the "Jean Hoche" seem as if she had
floated out of the days of Nelson.
The calm day waned, the sun drooped to his setting amid a few
golden bars and pencilled lines of light. Ere they were ready
for departure, the tide had ebbed, and, in getting the boats to
a practicable landing-place, Malbone was delayed behind the
others. As he at length brought his boat to the rock, Hope sat
upon the ruined fort, far above him, and sang. Her noble
contralto voice echoed among the cliffs down to the smooth
water; the sun went down behind her, and still she sat stately
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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 Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson by Robert Louis Stevenson: weakness, and who seeks before all to be both kind and just.
Seeks, not succeeds. But what is man? So much of cynicism to
recognise that nobody does right is the best equipment for those
who do not wish to be cynics in good earnest. Think better of
Otto, if my plea can influence you; and this I mean for your own
sake - not his, poor fellow, as he will never learn your opinion;
but for yours, because, as men go in this world (and women too),
you will not go far wrong if you light upon so fine a fellow; and
to light upon one and not perceive his merits is a calamity. In
the flesh, of course, I mean; in the book the fault, of course, is
with my stumbling pen. Seraphina made a mistake about her Otto; it
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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 The Battle of the Books by Jonathan Swift: some scruples in the wise, and some vices in the ignorant, will
perhaps be forgiven upon the strength of temptation to each.
The value of several circumstances in story lessens very much by
distance of time, though some minute circumstances are very
valuable; and it requires great judgment in a writer to
distinguish.
It is grown a word of course for writers to say, "This critical
age," as divines say, "This sinful age."
It is pleasant to observe how free the present age is in laying
taxes on the next. FUTURE AGES SHALL TALK OF THIS; THIS SHALL BE
FAMOUS TO ALL POSTERITY. Whereas their time and thoughts will be
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