| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Weir of Hermiston by Robert Louis Stevenson: not much bigger than a footstool. There sat Archie, an apparent prince,
the only undeniable gentleman and the only great heritor in the parish,
taking his ease in the only pew, for no other in the kirk had doors.
Thence he might command an undisturbed view of that congregation of
solid plaided men, strapping wives and daughters, oppressed children,
and uneasy sheep-dogs. It was strange how Archie missed the look of
race; except the dogs, with their refined foxy faces and inimitably
curling tails, there was no one present with the least claim to
gentility. The Cauldstaneslap party was scarcely an exception; Dandie
perhaps, as he amused himself making verses through the interminable
burden of the service, stood out a little by the glow in his eye and a
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Tales of Unrest by Joseph Conrad: and very soon their traders came amongst us under a promise of
safety. My brother was a Ruler, and one of those who had given the
promise. I was young then, and had fought in the war, and Pata Matara
had fought by my side. We had shared hunger, danger, fatigue, and
victory. His eyes saw my danger quickly, and twice my arm had
preserved his life. It was his destiny. He was my friend. And he was
great amongst us--one of those who were near my brother, the Ruler. He
spoke in council, his courage was great, he was the chief of many
villages round the great lake that is in the middle of our country as
the heart is in the middle of a man's body. When his sword was carried
into a campong in advance of his coming, the maidens whispered
Tales of Unrest |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Case of the Golden Bullet by Grace Isabel Colbron and Augusta Groner: Horn made sure of this by holding a lighted match to the door.
"You are right," he said to the valet, "the door is locked from the
inside. We'll have to go through the bedroom. Johann, bring me a
chisel or a hatchet. Muller, you stay here and open the door when
the doctor comes."
Muller nodded. Johann disappeared, returning in a few moments with
a small hatchet, and followed the commissioner through the
dining-room. It was an attractive apartment with its high wooden
paneling and its dainty breakfast table. But a slight shiver ran
through the commissioner's frame as he realised that some misfortune,
some crime even might be waiting for them on the other side of 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 Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: "A particular friend of mine had an account of it in a
letter from London yesterday. It is to be uncommonly dreadful.
I shall expect murder and everything of the kind."
"You speak with astonishing composure! But I hope
your friend's accounts have been exaggerated; and if such a
design is known beforehand, proper measures will undoubtedly
be taken by government to prevent its coming to effect."
"Government," said Henry, endeavouring not to smile,
"neither desires nor dares to interfere in such matters.
There must be murder; and government cares not how much."
The ladies stared. He laughed, and added,
Northanger Abbey |
