| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Caesar's Commentaries in Latin by Julius Caesar: Helvetii omnium rerum inopia adducti legatos de deditione ad eum
miserunt. Qui cum eum in itinere convenissent seque ad pedes proiecissent
suppliciterque locuti flentes pacem petissent, atque eos in eo loco quo
tum essent suum adventum expectare iussisset, paruerunt. Eo postquam
Caesar pervenit, obsides, arma, servos qui ad eos perfugissent, poposcit.
Dum ea conquiruntur et conferuntur, [nocte intermissa] circiter hominum
milia VI eius pagi qui Verbigenus appellatur, sive timore perterriti, ne
armis traditis supplicio adficerentur, sive spe salutis inducti, quod in
tanta multitudine dediticiorum suam fugam aut occultari aut omnino
ignorari posse existimarent, prima nocte e castris Helvetiorum egressi ad
Rhenum finesque Germanorum contenderunt.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Spirit of the Border by Zane Grey: sooner or later, that descent which ends in the grave. I believe we might stir
Nellie by telling her Mr. Wells' health is breaking."
"Let us try."
A hurried knock on the door interrupted their conversation.
"Come in," said Edwards.
The door opened to admit a man, who entered eagerly.
"Jim! Jim!" exclaimed both missionaries, throwing themselves upon the
newcomer.
It was, indeed, Jim, but no answering smile lighted his worn, distressed face
while he wrung his friends' hands.
"You're not hurt?" asked Dave.
The Spirit of the Border |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table by Oliver Wendell Holmes: feature, from which his nickname of CHICK-PEA (Cicero) is said by
some to be derived. As a lecturer is public property, we may
remark, that his outer garment (TOGA) was of cheap stuff and
somewhat worn, and that his general style and appearance of dress
and manner (HABITUS, VESTITUSQUE) were somewhat provincial.
The lecture consisted of an imaginary dialogue between Cato and
Laelius. We found the first portion rather heavy, and retired a
few moments for refreshment (POCULA QUAEDAM VINI). - All want to
reach old age, says Cato, and grumble when they get it; therefore
they are donkeys. - The lecturer will allow us to say that he is
the donkey; we know we shall grumble at old age, but we want to
The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table |
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 Two Noble Kinsmen by William Shakespeare: And Lovers yet unborne shall blesse my ashes.
ARCITE.
If she refuse me, yet my grave will wed me,
And Souldiers sing my Epitaph.
THESEUS.
Make choice, then.
EMILIA.
I cannot, Sir, they are both too excellent:
For me, a hayre shall never fall of these men.
HIPPOLITA.
What will become of 'em?
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