| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Court Life in China by Isaac Taylor Headland: among other things, was the superintendent of the Imperial
Railways of north China. This led us to speak of the relative
comforts of travel by land and by sea, for Prince Chun had gone
half round the world and back. We listened to the American
minister toasting the young Emperor of China, his princes, and
his subjects; and then to Prince Ching toasting the young
President of the United States, his officials, and his people, in
a most dignified and eloquent manner. And then as the buzz of
conversation went round the table again, and perhaps because of
their having spoken of the YOUNG Emperor and the young President,
I turned to Governor Hu, who had an unusually long, white beard
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Lair of the White Worm by Bram Stoker: Adam's comment pleased the old gentleman.
"I have it in my bones, sir, that you have struck--or rather
reasoned out--a great truth."
Sir Nathaniel went on cheerfully. "When the world of commerce wakes
up to the value of your find, it will be as well that your title to
ownership has been perfectly secured. If anyone ever deserved such
a gain, it is you."
With his friend's aid, Adam secured the property without loss of
time. Then he went to see his uncle, and told him about it. Mr.
Salton was delighted to find his young relative already
constructively the owner of so fine an estate--one which gave him an
Lair of the White Worm |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Tour Through Eastern Counties of England by Daniel Defoe: this island to itself, is the chief reason of any decay of business
in this place; and I shall, in the course of these observations,
hint at it, where many good seaports and large towns, though
farther off than Ipswich, and as well fitted for commerce, are yet
swallowed up by the immense indraft of trade to the City of London;
and more decayed beyond all comparison than Ipswich is supposed to
be: as Southampton, Weymouth, Dartmouth, and several others which I
shall speak to in their order; and if it be otherwise at this time,
with some other towns, which are lately increased in trade and
navigation, wealth, and people, while their neighbours decay, it is
because they have some particular trade, or accident to trade,
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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 Melmoth Reconciled by Honore de Balzac: heard of wants a little time to simmer in."
"I know of something that will set you straight in a moment," answered
Castanier; "but first you would have to----"
"Do what?"
"Sell your share of paradise. It is a matter of business like anything
else, isn't it? We all hold shares in the great Speculation of
Eternity."
"I tell you this," said Claparon angrily, "that I am just the man to
lend you a slap in the face. When a man is in trouble, it is no time
to pay silly jokes on him."
"I am talking seriously," said Castanier, and he drew a bundle of
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