| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from New Arabian Nights by Robert Louis Stevenson: back upon it, mixed, strenuous, and ineffectual, like the struggles
of a sleeper in a nightmare. Clara, I remember, uttered a broken
sigh and would have fallen forward to earth, had not Northmour and
I supported her insensible body. I do not think we were attacked;
I do not remember even to have seen an assailant; and I believe we
deserted Mr. Huddlestone without a glance. I only remember running
like a man in a panic, now carrying Clara altogether in my own
arms, now sharing her weight with Northmour, now scuffling
confusedly for the possession of that dear burden. Why we should
have made for my camp in the Hemlock Den, or how we reached it, are
points lost for ever to my recollection. The first moment at which
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Buttered Side Down by Edna Ferber: night. The heat of the ovens was so intense that it could be felt
as far as Miss Fink's remote corner. The swinging doors between
dining-room and kitchen were never still. A steady stream of
waiters made for the steam tables before which the white-clad chefs
stood ladling, carving, basting, serving, gave their orders,
received them, stopped at the checking-desk, and sped
dining-roomward again. Tony, the Crook, was cursing at one of the
little Polish vegetable girls who had not been quick enough about
the garnishing of a salad, and she was saying, over and over again,
in her thick tongue:
"Aw, shod op yur mout'!"
Buttered Side Down |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Koran: let you know concerning that wherein ye do dispute.
Wherefore judge thou between them by what God has revealed, and
follow not their lusts; but beware lest they mislead thee from part of
what God has revealed to thee; yet if they turn back, then know that
God wishes to fall on them for some sins of theirs,- verily, many
men are evildoers.
Is it the judgment of the Ignorance they crave? but who is better
than God to judge for people who are sure?
O ye who believe! take not the Jews and Christians for your patrons:
they are patrons of each other; but whoso amongst you takes them for
patrons, verily, he is of them, and, verily, God guides not an
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 Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne: with the worthy servant, as will be seen.
All the detective's hopes and wishes were now centred on Hong Kong;
for the steamer's stay at Singapore would be too brief to enable
him to take any steps there. The arrest must be made at Hong Kong,
or the robber would probably escape him for ever. Hong Kong was
the last English ground on which he would set foot; beyond, China,
Japan, America offered to Fogg an almost certain refuge.
If the warrant should at last make its appearance at Hong Kong,
Fix could arrest him and give him into the hands of the local police,
and there would be no further trouble. But beyond Hong Kong,
a simple warrant would be of no avail; an extradition warrant
Around the World in 80 Days |
