Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-05-05
:SatsceIIaMp.
FROM LATE ENGLISH PAPERS.
SOMNAMBUEISM.

the mental faculties are by no means
torpid during the time of sleep, but in
the following circumstances, fully au-
thenticated, there is ample proof that
the powers ofthe mind may at that Pc
nod sustain greater labour than during
cur waking moments. The subject is
enc well deserving Of attention, both in
medical and philosophical point of
view. About three months ago, John
Buckridge, the son ola wealthy and re-
spectacle Farmer, residing near Leeds,
in. Yorkshire, was placed at a grammar
school within a few miles of that town,
kept by the Rev. MIR. Dunno. Young
Buckbridge, who was entered as board
er, displayed very little inclination for
learning during the first month of his
probation. HetaIlied necessarily of the
plough and harrow, the dairy and the
farmyard, the hogs and horses, and
wished often and heartily that he was
among them, and free from the tedious
and irksome task of porting over books,
the contents of which he neither knew
nor seemed to wish to know-he thought
''Where ignorance was bliss,
Twas folly to be wise"
However, the Principal of the estab-
lishment neglected no means in endeav-
curing to call forth whatever share of
intellect the boy might have; still he
evinced no thirst for improvement, and
his retentive faculties being extremely
defective, he seldom rememberedin the
morning any part ofthe lesson commit
ted 10 their keeping on the preceding
evening. 10 this manner the boy con-
tinued to plod on YEARLY with his stud
les, until the expiration OF another month
wnen visible change was remarked in
the manner that he performed the vari-
Gus school business allotted to him he
that was before only remarkable for
dizziness and stupidity became the most
correct and generally perfect student in
the entire academy but the cause of
this most singular change still remained
a mystery. During The usual hours for
business, he was. as before, listIess and
inattentive-neither did he relax in his
.amusements, so that he did not seem to
devote one hour more to study Ii hap
pened however, that one of the ushers
who occupied an apartment contiguous
10 the school room, hearing noise in
the passage betwixt the hours oftwelve
and one, when the family had all retired
10 rest, was induced TO watch on the
supposition that thieves might have bro
ken into the house. On partly open
ing his toor, all was dark and silent !;
but in few minutes after, young Buck
ridge assembled from the kitchen with q
lamp light in his hand, which he had
brought from it. The usher's fears
now gave way TO curiosity, g. he deter
mined 10 watch the movements Of the
boy, who was evidently enjoying a pro-
found sleep. Buck bridge passed on
with rapid though cautious step to the
door ofthe school-room, which he IN
locked, and proceeding directly to the
place that he generally occupied, open
ed desk in which his books were de-
posted, took them out, & arranged them
in due order before him, and instantly
fell to study. The astonished usher,
imagining that it might have been a
trick of The boys, took and pinched
him repeatedly but to no purpose he
seemed insensible tc every thing save
only the pursuit of learning, and after
having successfully perused the differ
ent lessons marked for his business on
the following morning, he arose from
the seat, and repeated them at the Prin-
cipal's desk as if he had been there for
examination, in the most perfect and
satisfactory manner. The Usher hay
ing faithfully reported this singular dis
covery, Mr.. D. resolved to watch the
following night, and be enabled to ques.
ton the lad: he accordingly did so, and
about the same hour as on the preced
ing night, young Buckbridge arose from
his bed and went through the same Ger.
emony, with The addition of writing hi;
English Exercises, which we're not in.
cluded in the business of the former day
Having completed this important affair
he proceeded as before to Mr.. DIS. desk
where that gentleman now stood, TO
gether with the usher, and here he re
peated in regular succession his variou,
lessons, replied to many questions pu
to him by Mr.. d. and finally, having de.
livered in his exercises for examination
returned TO the kitchen with the lamp
which he carefully extinguished, anC
went back 10 bed. Being closely ques
toned in the morning as 10 how he haC
become SO perfectin his school business
he could assign no reason whatever fol
being so, and declared that it had sur
prised himself One thing is certain
that the sleep is by no means counter
| felt the laI still knows nothing of it