| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin: eaten back along a whole line of coast at the rate of one yard in nearly
every twenty-two years. I doubt whether any rock, even as soft as chalk,
would yield at this rate excepting on the most exposed coasts; though no
doubt the degradation of a lofty cliff would be more rapid from the
breakage of the fallen fragments. On the other hand, I do not believe that
any line of coast, ten or twenty miles in length, ever suffers degradation
at the same time along its whole indented length; and we must remember that
almost all strata contain harder layers or nodules, which from long
resisting attrition form a breakwater at the base. Hence, under ordinary
circumstances, I conclude that for a cliff 500 feet in height, a denudation
of one inch per century for the whole length would be an ample allowance.
 On the Origin of Species |
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 Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson: in their excursions: it is enough that age can attain ease. To me
the world has lost its novelty. I look round, and see what I
remember to have seen in happier days. I rest against a tree, and
consider that in the same shade I once disputed upon the annual
overflow of the Nile with a friend who is now silent in the grave.
I cast my eyes upwards, fix them on the changing moon, and think
with pain on the vicissitudes of life. I have ceased to take much
delight in physical truth; for what have I to do with those things
which I am soon to leave?"
"You may at least recreate yourself," said Imlac, "with the
recollection of an honourable and useful life, and enjoy the praise
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