| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Lair of the White Worm by Bram Stoker: here--and he was the only one who stayed even a short time. This
man's grandfather, also named Edgar--they keep the tradition of the
family Christian name--quarrelled with his family and went to live
abroad, not keeping up any intercourse, good or bad, with his
relatives, although this particular Edgar, as I told you, did visit
his family estate, yet his son was born and lived and died abroad,
while his grandson, the latest inheritor, was also born and lived
abroad till he was over thirty--his present age. This was the
second line of absentees. The great estate of Castra Regis has had
no knowledge of its owner for five generations--covering more than a
hundred and twenty years. It has been well administered, however,
Lair of the White Worm |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Land of Footprints by Stewart Edward White: goods you may need are quite sufficient. You will have all you
want, and not too much. If you take care of yourself, you ought
to keep in good health. Your small outfit permits greater
mobility than does that of the English cousin, infinitely less
nuisance and expense. Furthermore, you feel that once more you
are "next to things," instead of "being led about Africa like a
dog on a string."
APPENDIX V. THE AMERICAN IN AFRICA
WHAT HE SHOULD TAKE
Before going to Africa I read as many books as I could get hold
of on the subject, some of them by Americans. In every case the
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Koran: the interval of apostles; lest ye say, 'There came not to us a
herald of glad tidings nor a warner.' But there has come to you now
a herald of glad tidings and a warner, and God is mighty over all!
When Moses said to his people, 'O my people! remember the favour
of God towards you when He made amongst you prophets, and made for you
kings, and brought you what never was brought to anybody in the
worlds. O my people! enter the Holy Land which God has prescribed
for you; and be ye not thrust back upon your hinder parts and
retreat losers. They said, 'O Moses! verily, therein is a people,
giants; and we will surely not enter therein until they go out from
thence; but if they go out then we will enter in.' Then said two men
The Koran |
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 Camille by Alexandre Dumas: "Before the end of two months."
"She shall have it."
Prudence shrugged her shoulders.
"I will give it to you," I continued, "but you must swear to me
that you will not tell Marguerite that I have given it to you."
"Don't be afraid."
"And if she sends you anything else to sell or pawn, let me
know."
"There is no danger. She has nothing left."
I went straight to my own house to see if there were any letters
from my father. There were four.
Camille |
