| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Pellucidar by Edgar Rice Burroughs: tire tribe! But dissatisfied of the truth of my surmise, I
climbed higher among the branches of the tree that I
might get a better view of other portions of the cliff.
High above the ground I reached a point whence I
could see the summit of the hill. Evidently it was a flat-
topped butte similar to that on which dwelt the tribe
of Gr-gr-gr.
As I sat gazing at it a figure appeared at the very
edge. It was that of a young girl in whose hair was a
gorgeous bloom plucked from some flowering tree of
the forest. I had seen her pass beneath me but a short
Pellucidar |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Kreutzer Sonata by Leo Tolstoy: among the young girls of the peasantry this state of things does
not exist, but only among the wives, and the wives who live with
their husbands. The reason is clear, and this is the cause of
the intellectual and moral decline of woman, and of her
abasement.
"If they would only reflect what a grand work for the wife is the
period of gestation! In her is forming the being who continues
us, and this holy work is thwarted and rendered painful . . . by
what? It is frightful to think of it! And after that they talk
of the liberties and the rights of woman! It is like the
cannibals fattening their prisoners in order to devour them, and
The Kreutzer Sonata |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Charmides by Plato: moment, when I saw him coming in, I confess that I was quite astonished at
his beauty and stature; all the world seemed to be enamoured of him;
amazement and confusion reigned when he entered; and a troop of lovers
followed him. That grown-up men like ourselves should have been affected
in this way was not surprising, but I observed that there was the same
feeling among the boys; all of them, down to the very least child, turned
and looked at him, as if he had been a statue.
Chaerephon called me and said: What do you think of him, Socrates? Has he
not a beautiful face?
Most beautiful, I said.
But you would think nothing of his face, he replied, if you could see his
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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 Talisman by Walter Scott: --ay, were he backed with his two bravest champions. Knightlike
will we prove it, on foot or on horse, in the desert or in the
field, time, place, and arms all at his own choice."
"Bethink you of the peace of God and the church, my liege lord,"
said the Baron of Gilsland, "among those princes engaged in this
holy Crusade."
"Bethink you how to execute my commands, my liege vassal,"
answered Richard impatiently. "Methinks men expect to turn our
purpose by their breath, as boys blow feathers to and fro. Peace
of the church! Who, I prithee, minds it? The peace of the
church, among Crusaders, implies war with the Saracens, with whom
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