| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Off on a Comet by Jules Verne: debates in which everybody was encouraged to take part; they read aloud,
and explained extracts from the elementary manuals of science,
or from the books of adventurous travel which their library supplied;
and Russians and Spaniards, day after day, might be seen gathered
round the large table, giving their best attention to instruction
which should send them back to Mother Earth less ignorant than they
had left her.
Selfish and morose, Hakkabut could never be induced to be present
at these social gatherings. He was far too much occupied in his own
appropriated corner, either in conning his accounts, or in counting
his money. Altogether, with what he had before, he now possessed
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from When the World Shook by H. Rider Haggard: "So is this," I said. "Among the Egyptians Osiris was the god
of Death."
She nodded and replied that doubtless the symbol had come down
to them.
"One day you shall take me to see this land which you call so
very old. Or I will take you, which would be quicker," she added.
We all bowed and said we should be delighted. Even Bastin
appeared anxious to revisit Egypt in such company, though when he
was there it seemed to bore him. But what she meant about taking
us I could not guess. Nor had we time to ask her, for she went
on, watching our faces as she spoke.
 When the World Shook |