| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Aspern Papers by Henry James: that she lived abroad, for our researches had again and again
taken us (not only by correspondence but by personal inquiry)
to France, to Germany, to Italy, in which countries, not counting
his important stay in England, so many of the too few years
of Aspern's career were spent. We were glad to think at least
that in all our publishings (some people consider I believe
that we have overdone them), we had only touched in passing
and in the most discreet manner on Miss Bordereau's connection.
Oddly enough, even if we had had the material (and we often
wondered what had become of it), it would have been the most
difficult episode to handle.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Dracula by Bram Stoker: I suppose it is the reaction from the terrible excitement.
Last night I went to bed when the men had gone, simply because they told
me to. I didn't feel sleepy, and I did feel full of devouring anxiety.
I kept thinking over everything that has been ever since Jonathan came to see
me in London, and it all seems like a horrible tragedy, with fate pressing on
relentlessly to some destined end. Everything that one does seems, no matter
how right it me be, to bring on the very thing which is most to be deplored.
If I hadn't gone to Whitby, perhaps poor dear Lucy would be with us now.
She hadn't taken to visiting the churchyard till I came, and if she hadn't
come there in the day time with me she wouldn't have walked in her sleep.
And if she hadn't gone there at night and asleep, that monster couldn't
Dracula |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Bab:A Sub-Deb, Mary Roberts Rinehart by Mary Roberts Rinehart: governess being sent along with Elaine because we need a Chaperone?
Ye gods! A Chaperone to a Milatary Camp!
She is now sitting on one of the camp stools and embroidering a
centerpeice. She brought her own lunch and Elaine's, refusing to
allow her to eat the regular Milatary rations of bacon and boiled
potatoes, etcetera, and not ofering a thing to us, although having
brought chicken sandwitches, cake and fruit.
I shall now put down the events of the day, as although the Manual
says nothing of keeping a record, I am sure it is always done. Have
I not read, again and again, of the Captain's log, which is not
wood, as it sounds, but is a journal or Dairy?
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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 Daisy Miller by Henry James: You are too innocent."
"My dear aunt, I am not so innocent," said Winterbourne,
smiling and curling his mustache.
"You are guilty too, then!"
Winterbourne continued to curl his mustache meditatively.
"You won't let the poor girl know you then?" he asked at last.
"Is it literally true that she is going to the Chateau de Chillon with you?"
"I think that she fully intends it."
"Then, my dear Frederick," said Mrs. Costello, "I must decline the honor
of her acquaintance. I am an old woman, but I am not too old, thank Heaven,
to be shocked!"
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