| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Dracula by Bram Stoker: I understood as well as if he had spoken that I should be
more careful what I wrote, for he would be able to read it.
So I determined to write only formal notes now, but to write fully
to Mr. Hawkins in secret, and also to Mina, for to her I could
write shorthand, which would puzzle the Count, if he did see it.
When I had written my two letters I sat quiet, reading a book
whilst the Count wrote several notes, referring as he wrote them
to some books on his table. Then he took up my two and placed
them with his own, and put by his writing materials, after which,
the instant the door had closed behind him, I leaned over
and looked at the letters, which were face down on the table.
Dracula |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Prince of Bohemia by Honore de Balzac: elderly lady, Mme. de Bonfalot--'
" 'Ah! Mme. de Bonfalot, charmed, I am sure. I am going there.'
"The pair accordingly went. Charles Edward came in with the lady,
every one believed that she had brought him with her. He took part in
the conversation, was lavish of his polished and brilliant wit. The
visit lengthened out. That was not what he wanted.
" 'Madame,' he said, addressing the fair stranger, 'do not forget that
your husband is waiting for us, and only allowed us a quarter of an
hour.'
"Taken aback by such boldness (which, as you know, is never
displeasing to you women), led captive by the conqueror's glance, by
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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 Twilight Land by Howard Pyle: have thee build me in the city a magnificent palace, such as man
never looked upon before, and let it be full from top to bottom
with rich stuffs and treasures of all sorts. And let it have
gardens and fountains and terraces fitting for such a place, and
let it be meetly served with slaves, both men and women, the most
beautiful that are to be found in all the world."
"Is there aught else that thou wouldst have?" asked the Genie.
The fagot-maker meditated a long time. "I can bethink myself of
nothing more just now," said he.
The Genie turned to the captain of the troop and said some words
to him in a strange tongue, and then in a moment was gone. The
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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 Within the Tides by Joseph Conrad: disturbed him, like the signs of a horrible inward travail which
was frightfully apparent to the fresh eye he had brought from his
isolation in Malata, where he had settled after five strenuous
years of adventure and exploration.
"It's a fact," he said, "that when I am at home in Malata I see no
one consciously. I take the plantation boys for granted."
"Well, and we here take the people in the streets for granted. And
that's sanity."
The visitor said nothing to this for fear of engaging a discussion.
What he had come to seek in the editorial office was not
controversy, but information. Yet somehow he hesitated to approach
Within the Tides |
