Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1841-04-22

Docs the Mind al'cays Think Mr..
Locke's arguments in respect 10 this sub
jcct, arc the following: That during sleep
we are not conscious of thought; that the
mind is always active, even without our
knowledge; that we have no ideas, but
those derived from sensation and reflection !;
and that no one can know whether per-
son thinks in his sleep except himself.
A writer in the Providence Journal,
cites the following facts, recorded by Pre-
sidcnt Dwight, of Yale College, TO prove
in opposition TO Lockc's theory, that a man
may walk in his sleep without knowing it;
and another man may see him walking,
aud doing other things which involve
thought, aud thus ascertain to certainty
that the sleeper thinks, while he himself is
unconscious Of it.
A physician in Lamber,own,N.J., found
to his great surprise, on waking one morn
ing, that he was without shirt; and was
unable to discover any trace of it after
searching his room. Having dressed him
self and made particular enquiries, he was
obliged TO remain in doubt with regard 10
the cause of this singular occurrence. On
the following morning, however, he found
himself in similar predicament, and was
obliged 10 furnish himself as before, with
out the power of making discovery. The
same thing happened the three following
days; so that five of his shirts had at last,
myseriously disappeared. The matter
had now become so wonderful, that his
brother determined to sleep with him and
ascertain, if possible, the cause of it. In
the night the physician rose from bed,
without speaking and left the room. His
brother, who was on the watch, hurried on
few clothes aud followed him. The for
mer took his way towards the Delaware,
where on4lis arrival, be prepurcdt to battle !;
and placing his shirt in hole, leapcd into
the water.-Afier swimming for some lime
he regaiaed the shore, proceeding home
ward, without stopping for his garment,
and went to bed. The brother followed,
being convinced he was asleep, and took
his place again beside him in he'd without
waking him. The next day, on examin-
ing the hole on the rivers bank, The six
shirts were found, where their owner had
deposited them, unconscious, or forgetful,
of every thing he had done.
In another case there was still greater
evidence of thought during sleep of which
the agent was equally ignorant. A shoe
makers wife was one night awakened by
her husband arising in his sleep, and prea
ching sermon of some length. At the
close of il he gave notice, that on the fol-
lowing evening he should deliver another
discourse and this he did with such grav-
ity, that she invited several of her neigh
bors to attend. They came on the even
ing appointed, and were eratiied with his
sermon as well lis with the renewal of the
appointment on the next Thursday eveu-
Ing, which he announced as before. Thus
he continued to preach once week, and
in manner which his audience were Sra-
tiGe,l with until the secret was accidental
ly divulg ged 10 him, and that put an end to
it. The probability is, that this man could
not have formed u sermon in his waking
hours.
An eminent lawyer once tod me, that
having difficult case to argue, after hav-
ing devised several different methods for
managing it, he dreampl oul one a, night,
which on the following morning he recol.
lected, and preferred to the others so much,
that he adopted it in court.
The imagination is undoubtedly strong
er during sleep, than when awake. While
lived at Northampton, was engaged for
time 10 supply winter society, as it
is called: this is an assembly meeting Cor
public worship; in a part Of the town It
distance from the church. One nis
dreampl Of preaching TO them and chose
rather singular text. 1t was this: Then
answered The High Priest, yell wnothing
at ALL" When | awoke, remembered
the whole Of the sermon, and it was Of
such nature that determined TO write it.