| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Aeroplanes and Dirigibles of War by Frederick A. Talbot: while aeronautical authorities of other countries described the
Zeppelin more vehemently than ever as a "mechanical monstrosity"
and a "scientific curiosity."
The Zeppelin has come to be feared in a general manner, but this
result is due rather to stories sedulously circulated, and which
may be easily traced to Teutonic sources. Very few data of a
reliable character have been allowed to filter through official
circles. We have been told somewhat verbosely of what it can
accomplish and of its high degree of efficiency and speed. But
can credence be placed in these statements?
When Zeppelin IV made its unexpected descent at Luneville, and
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Confidence by Henry James: "I don't know what you are trying to prove," said Angela;
"first that we ran away from you, and then that we are not nice
to our visitors."
"Oh no, not that!" Bernard exclaimed; "for I assure you I shall
not care how cold you are with me."
She walked away toward another door, which was masked with a curtain
that she lifted.
"I am glad to hear that, for it gives me courage to say that I am very tired,
and that I beg you will excuse me."
She glanced at him a moment over her shoulder; then she passed out,
dropping the curtain.
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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 Finished by H. Rider Haggard: this place which is bewitched; the girl will show us where are
the huts of which the wizard speaks."
A few minutes later Zikali crept back into the hut, laughing to
himself.
"All is safe," he said, "and you can come out of your hole, old
jackal. He who calls himself a king is gone, taking with him
those whom he thinks faithful, most of whom are but waiting a
chance to betray him. What did I say, a king? Nay, in all
Africa there is no slave so humble or so wretched as this broken
man. Oh! feather by feather I have plucked my fowl and by and by
I shall cut his throat. You will be there, Macumazahn, you will
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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 Octopus by Frank Norris: eastern horizon. Within six feet of Vanamee, clear and distinct,
against the disk of the moon, stood the figure of a young girl.
She was dressed in a gown of scarlet silk, with flowing sleeves,
such as Japanese wear, embroidered with flowers and figures of
birds worked in gold threads. On either side of her face, making
three-cornered her round, white forehead, hung the soft masses of
her hair of gold. Her hands hung limply at her sides. But from
between her parted lips--lips of almost an Egyptian fulness--her
breath came slow and regular, and her eyes, heavy lidded,
slanting upwards toward the temples, perplexing, oriental, were
closed. She was asleep.
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