| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Ancient Regime by Charles Kingsley: Friends. At a time when the greater part of the Continent was sunk
in spiritual sleep, these men were reasserting doctrines concerning
man, and his relation to his Creator, which, whether or not all
believe them (as I believe them) to be founded on eternal fact, all
must confess to have been of incalculable benefit to the cause of
humanity and civilisation.
From England, finally, about the middle of the eighteenth century,
went forth--promulgated by English noblemen--that freemasonry which
seems to have been the true parent of all the secret societies of
Europe. Of this curious question, more hereafter. But enough has
been said to show that England, instead of falling, at any period,
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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 Wrecker by Stevenson & Osbourne: he stooped and tasted it.
"Fresh," he said. "Only rain-water."
"You don't object to that?" I asked.
"No," said he.
"Well, then, what ails you?" I cried.
"In plain United States, Mr. Dodd," he returned, "a whaleboat,
five ash sweeps, and a barrel of stinking pork."
"Or, in other words, the whole thing?" I commented.
"Well, it's this way," he condescended to explain. "I've no use
for a fourth boat at all; but a boat of this model tops the
business. I don't say the type's not common in these waters; it's
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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 Ten Years Later by Alexandre Dumas: "A word?"
"Yes, a printed word."
"Oh, that's very easy."
"Let me see."
"Does it interest you?"
"Enormously."
"Well, I will explain the thing to you. Attend."
"I am attending."
"That is it."
"Good."
"Look attentively."
Ten Years Later |
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 Youth by Joseph Conrad: found, a fateful enigma.
"A splashing of oars, a measured dip reverberating
on the level of water, intensified by the silence of the
shore into loud claps, made me jump up. A boat, a
European boat, was coming in. I invoked the name
of the dead; I hailed: Judea ahoy! A thin shout an-
swered.
"It was the captain. I had beaten the flagship by three
hours, and I was glad to hear the old man's voice, tremu-
lous and tired. 'Is it you, Marlow?' 'Mind the end of
that jetty, sir,' I cried.
Youth |
