| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Main Street by Sinclair Lewis: these towns from trains on this same line. He grumbled,
"Why, what's the matter with 'em? Good hustling burgs. It
would astonish you to know how much wheat and rye and
corn and potatoes they ship in a year."
"But they're so ugly."
"I'll admit they aren't comfy like Gopher Prairie. But
give 'em time."
"What's the use of giving them time unless some one has
desire and training enough to plan them? Hundreds of factories
trying to make attractive motor cars, but these towns--
left to chance. No! That can't be true. It must have taken
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Kenilworth by Walter Scott: proof against such cant ever since I sent twenty good gold pieces
(marry, it was in the nonage of my wit) to advance the grand
magisterium, all which, God help the while, vanished IN FUMO.
Since that moment, when I paid for my freedom, I defy chemistry,
astrology, palmistry, and every other occult art, were it as
secret as hell itself, to unloose the stricture of my purse-
strings. Marry, I neither defy the manna of Saint Nicholas, nor
can I dispense with it. The first task must be to prepare some
when thou gett'st down to my little sequestered retreat yonder,
and then make as much gold as thou wilt."
"I will make no more of that dose," said the alchemist,
 Kenilworth |