| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain: "Rubbage! I don't believe it!"
But she fled up-stairs, nevertheless, with Sid and
Mary at her heels. And her face grew white, too,
and her lip trembled. When she reached the bed-
side she gasped out:
"You, Tom! Tom, what's the matter with you?"
"Oh, auntie, I'm --"
"What's the matter with you -- what is the matter
with you, child?"
"Oh, auntie, my sore toe's mortified!"
The old lady sank down into a chair and laughed
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde: Leave him and come with me. There are other countries than England
. . . Oh! other countries over sea, better, wiser, and less unjust
lands. The world is very wide and very big.
MRS. ARBUTHNOT. No, not for me. For me the world is shrivelled to
a palm's breadth, and where I walk there are thorns.
HESTER. It shall not be so. We shall somewhere find green valleys
and fresh waters, and if we weep, well, we shall weep together.
Have we not both loved him?
GERALD. Hester!
HESTER. [Waving him back.] Don't, don't! You cannot love me at
all, unless you love her also. You cannot honour me, unless she'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 Tom Grogan by F. Hopkinson Smith: anything, Mr. Quigg?"
Mr. Quigg had heard absolutely nothing, and had not seen Mrs.
Grogan for months. Mr. Crimmins was equally ignorant, and so were
several other gentlemen. Here a voice came from the back of the
room.
"I met Dr. Mason, sir, an hour ago, after he had attended Tom
Grogan. He was on his way to Quarantine in his buggy. He said he
left her insensible after dressin' the wound. He thought she
might not live till mornin'."
"May I ask your name, sir?" asked the president in a courteous
tone.
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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 Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau by Honore de Balzac: The Commission in Lunacy
The Seamy Side of History
The Middle Classes
Popinot, Anselme
Gaudissart the Great
Cousin Pons
Cousin Betty
Popinot, Madame Anselme
A Prince of Bohemia
Cousin Betty
Cousin Pons
Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau |
