| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Contrast by Royall Tyler: ungracefully from the lips of her citizens.
DIMPLE
You are perfectly in the right, Colonel--America
has her faults.
MANLY
Yes, Sir; and we, her children, should blush for
them in private, and endeavour, as individuals, to re-
form them. But, if our country has its errors in com-
mon with other countries, I am proud to say America--
I mean the United States--has displayed virtues and
achievements which modern nations may admire, but
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Marie by H. Rider Haggard: "Good," said Vrouw Prinsloo; "that is the best way out of it. You will
soon get sick of the journey, Heer Marais, and we shall see no more of
the stinkcat."
Marais rose in a resigned fashion, for he never deigned to argue with
Vrouw Prinsloo, who was too many for him, and said:
"Farewell, Marie. If I do not return, you will remember my wishes, and
my will may be found between the first leaves of our Holy Book. Get up,
Klaus, and guide me to your master," and he administered a somewhat
vicious kick to the gorged and prostrate Hottentot.
Now Marie, who all this while had stood silent, touched me on the
shoulder and said:
Marie |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Tik-Tok of Oz by L. Frank Baum: damp in the pit and they could not climb out
because the walls were higher than their heads and
the cover was on. The Queen was first angry and
then annoyed and then discouraged; but the
officers were only afraid. Every one of the poor
fellows heartily wished he was back in Oogaboo
caring for his orchard, and some were so unhappy
that they began to reproach Ann for causing them
all this trouble and danger.
Finally the Queen sat down on the bottom of the
pit and leaned her back against the wall. By good
Tik-Tok of Oz |
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 Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom by William and Ellen Craft: master's name. He said, "William Johnson." The
names were put down, I think, "Mr. Johnson and
slave." The captain said, "It's all right now, Mr.
Johnson." He thanked him kindly, and the young
officer begged my master to go with him, and have
something to drink and a cigar; but as he had not
acquired these accomplishments, he excused him-
self, and we went on board and came off to Wil-
mington, North Carolina. When the gentleman
finds out his mistake, he will, I have no doubt, be
careful in future not to pretend to have an intimate
Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom |
