| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: As he hung over the coffin, his face was concealed by long locks
of ragged hair; but one vast hand was extended, in colour and apparent
texture like that of a mummy. When he heard the sound of my approach,
he ceased to utterexclamations of grief and horror and sprung towards
the window. Never did I behold a vision so horrible as his face,
of such loathsome yet appalling hideousness. I shut my eyes
involuntarily and endeavoured to recollect what were my duties
with regard to this destroyer. I called on him to stay.
He paused, looking on me with wonder, and again turning towards
the lifeless form of his creator, he seemed to forget my presence,
and every feature and gesture seemed instigated by the wildest rage
Frankenstein |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Call of Cthulhu by H. P. Lovecraft: and long, narrow wings behind. This thing, which seemed instinct
with a fearsome and unnatural malignancy, was of a somewhat bloated
corpulence, and squatted evilly on a rectangular block or pedestal
covered with undecipherable characters. The tips of the wings
touched the back edge of the block, the seat occupied the centre,
whilst the long, curved claws of the doubled-up, crouching hind
legs gripped the front edge and extended a quarter of the way
clown toward the bottom of the pedestal. The cephalopod head was
bent forward, so that the ends of the facial feelers brushed the
backs of huge fore paws which clasped the croucher's elevated
knees. The aspect of the whole was abnormally life-like, and the
Call of Cthulhu |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Enemies of Books by William Blades: and nearly 100 tons weight were carted away at about L3 per ton.
It is difficult to believe, although positively true,
that so great an act of vandalism could have been perpetrated,
even in a Government office. It is true that no demand existed
for some of them, but it is equally true that in numerous cases,
especially in the early specifications of the steam engine and
printing machine, the want of them has caused great disappointment.
To add a climax to the story, many of the "pulped" specifications
have had to be reprinted more than once since their destruction.
CHAPTER VI.
THE BOOKWORM.
|
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 Father Goriot by Honore de Balzac: "Ah! if I were rich still, if I had kept my money, if I had not
given all to them, they would be with me now; they would fawn on
me and cover my cheeks with their kisses! I should be living in a
great mansion; I should have grand apartments and servants and a
fire in my room; and THEY would be about me all in tears, and
their husbands and their children. I should have had all that;
now--I have nothing. Money brings everything to you; even your
daughters. My money. Oh! where is my money? If I had plenty of
money to leave behind me, they would nurse me and tend me; I
should hear their voices, I should see their faces. Ah, God! who
knows? They both of them have hearts of stone. I loved them too
Father Goriot |
