| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Vailima Letters by Robert Louis Stevenson: accomplished. But such is the animated spirit in the service
that the whole advance guard expressed a sentiment of
disappointment that an exploration, so far successfully
conducted, should come to a stop in the most promising view
of fresh successes. And though unprovided either with
compass or cutlass, it was determined to push some way along
the plateau, marking our direction by the laborious process
of bending down, sitting upon, and thus breaking the wild
cocoanut trees. This was the less regretted by all from a
delightful discovery made of a huge banyan growing here in
the bush, with flying-buttressed flying buttresses, and huge
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Astoria by Washington Irving: goods in store at Canton, until after the peace, and have sailed
without risk of capture to Astoria; bringing to the partners at
that place tidings of the great profits realized on the outward
cargo, and the still greater to be expected from the returns. The
news of such a brilliant commencement to their undertaking would
have counterbalanced the gloomy tidings of the war; it would have
infused new spirit into them all, and given them courage and
constancy to persevere in the enterprise. Captain Sowle, however,
refused the offer of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and
stood wavering and chaffering for higher terms. The furs began to
fall in value; this only increased his irresolution; they sunk so
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