| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Criminal Sociology by Enrico Ferri: THE DATA OF CRIMINAL STATISTICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Value of criminal statistics, 51--The three factors of crime, 52--
Anthropological factors, 53--Physical factors, 53--Social factors,
53--Crime a product of complex conditions, 54--Social conditions
do not explain crime, 55--Effects of temperature on crime, 58--
Crime a result of biological as well as social conditions, 59--The
measures to be taken against crime are of two kinds, preventive
and eliminative, 61--The fluctuations of crime chiefly produced by
social causes, 61--Steadiness of the graver forms of crime, 63--
Effect of judicial procedure on criminal statistics, 64--Crimes
against the person are high when crimes against property are low,
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from War and the Future by H. G. Wells: workmen, in a little scrubby wood on the hillside near at hand.
One heard the report and turned to see the fragments flying and
the dust. Probably they got someone. And then, after a little
pause, the encampment began to spew out men; here, there and
everywhere they appeared among the tents, running like rabbits at
evening-time, down the hill. Soon after and probably in
connection with this signal, Austrian shells began to come over.
They do not use shrapnel because the rocky soil of Italy makes
that unnecessary. They fire a sort of shell that goes bang and
releases a cloud of smoke overhead, and then drops a parcel of
high explosive that bursts on the ground. The ground leaps into
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Dawn O'Hara, The Girl Who Laughed by Edna Ferber: grand-like out of your, green motor car, they would
promptly over-charge me for any room in the house? I
shall go room-hunting in my oldest hat, with one finger
sticking out of my glove."
Von Gerhard shrugged despairing shoulders.
"Na, of what use is it to plead with you. Sometimes
I wonder if, after all, you are not merely amusing
yourself. Getting copy, perhaps, for the book, or a new
experience to add to your already varied store."
Abruptly I turned to hide my pain, and began to
ascend the stairs. With a bound Von Gerhard was beside
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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 Royalty Restored/London Under Charles II by J. Fitzgerald Molloy: predicted he would yet fill a lofty position. He had long
schemed and dreamed, and now it seemed the result of the one and
fulfilment of the other were at hand. The pretended discovery of
this plot threatened to upheave the established form of
government, for the king was one at heart with those about to be
brought to trial and death. A quarter of a century had not
passed since a bold and determined man had risen up and governed
Great Britain. Why should not history repeat itself in this
respect? the prospect was alluring. Possessing strong
influence, great vanity, and an unscrupulous character,
Shaftesbury resolved to stir the nation to its centre, at the
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