| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Wrecker by Stevenson & Osbourne: that this ignominious silence should have been broken long
ago, and must be broken now. I should have broken it when he
first proposed to come to Stallbridge-Minster; I should have
broken it in the train; I should break it there and then, on the
inn doorstep, as the omnibus rolled off. I turned toward him at
the thought; he seemed to wince, the words died on my lips,
and I proposed instead that we should visit the Minster.
While we were engaged upon this duty, it came on to rain in a
manner worthy of the tropics. The vault reverberated; every
gargoyle instantly poured its full discharge; we waded back to
the inn, ankle-deep in impromptu brooks; and the rest 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 Astoria by Washington Irving: soon eased of their burden; venison and beef were passed out to
the crew before the door, and a scene of gormandizing commenced,
of which few can have an idea, who have not witnessed the
gastronomic powers of an Indian, after an interval of fasting.
This was kept up throughout the day; they paused now and then, it
is true, for a brief interval, but only to return to the charge
with renewed ardor. The chief and the lieutenant surpassed all
the rest in the vigor and perseverance of their attacks; as if
from their station they were bound to signalize themselves in all
onslaughts. Mr. Stuart kept them well supplied with choice bits,
for it was his policy to overfeed them, and keep them from
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