| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Dracula by Bram Stoker: I would have given a good deal to have been able to see the notice
board intact, as it would, perhaps, have given some clue to the ownership
of the house. I remembered my experience of the investigation
and purchase of Carfax, and I could not but feel that I could find
the former owner there might be some means discovered of gaining
access to the house.
There was at present nothing to be learned from the Piccadilly side,
and nothing could be done, so I went around to the back to see
if anything could be gathered from this quarter. The mews
were active, the Piccadilly houses being mostly in occupation.
I asked one or two of the grooms and helpers whom I saw
Dracula |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Hamlet by William Shakespeare: Anon as patient as the female Doue,
When that her Golden Cuplet are disclos'd;
His silence will sit drooping
Ham. Heare you Sir:
What is the reason that you vse me thus?
I lou'd you euer; but it is no matter:
Let Hercules himselfe doe what he may,
The Cat will Mew, and Dogge will haue his day.
Enter.
Kin. I pray you good Horatio wait vpon him,
Strengthen your patience in our last nights speech,
Hamlet |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Some Reminiscences by Joseph Conrad: windows behind the sombre, ancient counters, beneath lofty
ceilings with heavily moulded cornices. I always felt on going
out as though I had been in the temple of some very dignified but
completely temporal religion. And it was generally on these
occasions that under the great carriage gateway Lady Ded-- I mean
Madame Delestang, catching sight of my raised hat, would beckon
me with an amiable imperiousness to the side of the carriage, and
suggest with an air of amused nonchalance, "Venez donc faire un
tour avec nous," to which the husband would add an encouraging
"C'est ca. Allons, montez, jeune homme." He questioned me
sometimes, significantly but with perfect tact and delicacy, as
Some Reminiscences |
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 Where There's A Will by Mary Roberts Rinehart: "Nonsense! We're going to work together, and we'll make this the
busiest spot in seven counties. Dorothy and I have got it all
planned out and we've got some corking good ideas." He put his
hands in his pockets and strutted up and down. "It's the day of
advertising, you know, Minnie," he said. "You've got to have the
goods, and then you've got to let people know you've got the
goods. What would you say to a shooting-gallery in the basement,
under the reading-room?"
"Fine!" I said, with sarcasm, turning my slippers. "If things
got too quiet that would wake them up a bit, and we could have a
balloon ascension on Saturdays!"
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