| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Miracle Mongers and Their Methods by Harry Houdini: well. Tie a ligature tightly ABOVE the bite,
scarify the wound deeply with a knife, and
allow it to bleed freely. After having
drawn an ounce of blood, remove the ligature
and ignite three times successively
about two drams of gunpowder right on
the wound.
If gunpowder be not at hand, an
ordinary fusee will answer the purpose: or,
in default of this, the glowing end of a
piece of wood from the fire. Having done
Miracle Mongers and Their Methods |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Phaedo by Plato: then they come forth and cease from their troubles; but if not, they are
carried back again into Tartarus and from thence into the rivers
unceasingly, until they obtain mercy from those whom they have wronged:
for that is the sentence inflicted upon them by their judges. Those too
who have been pre-eminent for holiness of life are released from this
earthly prison, and go to their pure home which is above, and dwell in the
purer earth; and of these, such as have duly purified themselves with
philosophy live henceforth altogether without the body, in mansions fairer
still which may not be described, and of which the time would fail me to
tell.
Wherefore, Simmias, seeing all these things, what ought not we to do that
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Bureaucracy by Honore de Balzac: withdrawn it from La Briere's hands after the news reached him. Des
Lupeaulx read as follows:--
"Monseigneur,--If twenty-three years of irreproachable services
may claim a favor, I entreat your Excellency to grant me an
audience this very day. My honor is involved in the matter of
which I desire to speak."
"Poor man!" said des Lupeaulx, in a tone of compassion which confirmed
the minister in his error. "We are alone; I advise you to see him now.
You have a meeting of the Council when the Chamber rises; moreover,
your Excellency has to reply to-day to the opposition; this is really
the only hour when you can receive him."
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