| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Twice Told Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne: for the colonial metropolis for some days after its occurrence,
and might still longer have been the general theme, only that a
subject of all-engrossing interest thrust it, for a time, from
the public recollection. This was the appearance of a dreadful
epidemic, which, in that age and long before and afterwards, was
wont to slay its hundreds and thousands on both sides of the
Atlantic. On the occasion of which we speak, it was distinguished
by a peculiar virulence, insomuch that it has left its
traces--its pit-marks, to use an appropriate figure--on the
history of the country, the affairs of which were thrown into
confusion by its ravages. At first, unlike its ordinary course,
Twice Told Tales |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Altar of the Dead by Henry James: time since he had known her made her splendidly stern. "How can
you understand now when you didn't understand before?"
"I didn't understand before only because I didn't know. Now that I
know, I see what I've been living with for years," Stransom went on
very gently.
She looked at him with a larger allowance, doing this gentleness
justice. "How can I then, on this new knowledge of my own, ask you
to continue to live with it?"
"I set up my altar, with its multiplied meanings," Stransom began;
but she quietly interrupted him.
"You set up your altar, and when I wanted one most I found it
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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 In Darkest England and The Way Out by General William Booth: Germany ... ... 16 6 75
Belgium ... ... 4 -- 21
Finland ... ... 3 -- 12
The Argentine Republic 2 -- 15
South Africa & St Helena 52 12 162
---- ---- ----
Total abroad 1499 896 4910
---- ---- ----
Grand total 2874 896 9416
THE SUPPLY ("TRADE") DEPARTMENT At Home. Abroad
Buildings occupied ... ... ... 8 22
In Darkest England and The Way Out |
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 Turn of the Screw by Henry James: "A horror?"
"He's--God help me if I know WHAT he is!"
Mrs. Grose looked round once more; she fixed her eyes on the duskier distance,
then, pulling herself together, turned to me with abrupt inconsequence.
"It's time we should be at church."
"Oh, I'm not fit for church!"
"Won't it do you good?"
"It won't do THEM--! I nodded at the house.
"The children?"
"I can't leave them now."
"You're afraid--?"
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