Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-03-06
PHENOMENA OF SLEEP.

in relation to sleep, which is described 10 be
the repose Of the mind:
"The necessary amount of sleep differs in
the various tribes, as well as in difierant in
divduals. The average proportion of time
thus employed by our race, is estimated at
one-,hird. Sir John Sinclair, who slept
eight hours himself, says that in his research
ss upon the subject Of longevity, he found
| long life under every circumstance and every
course of habit-some old men being absti
nent, others incorporate, some active, and
some indolent-but all had slept well and
long. Alfred the Great slept eight hours a
day-Jeremy Taylor but three. Bonaparte,
during the greater part of his active life,
was content with four or five hours sleep -
Old age and infancy sleep much.
Some boys slept, on board of Nelson's
! ship, at the battle of the Nile. Among the
| impressive incidents of Sir John Moor's dis
asrous retreat 10 Corunna in Spain, not the
least striking is the recorded fact that many
of his soldiers steadily pursued their march
while last asleep. Burduch, however, at
firms that this is not uncommon among SOL
diers. Franklin slept nearly an hour swim
ming on his back. An acquaintance of DR..
D., travelling with party in North Carolina
being greatly fa,igued, was observed 10 be
! asleep in his saddle. His horse, being a
better walker, went far in advance Of the
rest. On crossing hill, they found him on
the ground snoring quietly. His horse had
fallen, as was evident from his broken
knees, and had thrown his rider on his head
on hard surface. without waking him.
Animals of the lower orders obey peculiar
laws in regard to sleep Fish are said TO
sleep soundly and we are told by Aristotle,
that the tench may be taken in this state, if
approached cautiously. Many birds and
beasts Of prey take their repose in the day
! time. When kept in captivity this habit
undergoes change, which ,""i-, IL
ub.,ber ;,.-.,u ,nat they should lake au-
vantage of the darkness, silence, and the
unoarded state of their victims. In the
menarerie a, Paris, even the hyena sleeps
at night, and is awake by day. They all
! however, seek, as favoring the purpose,
certain degree of secusion and shade, win
the exception Of the lion, who, Burdach in-
forms us, sleeps at MONDAY, in the open
plain and the eagle and condor, which
noise themselves on the most elevated pm
nacle of rock in the clear, blue atmosphere
and dazzling sunlight. Birds, however, are
furnished with nictating membrane Seher
alv. TO shelter the eye from light Fisl
nrefer to retire to sleep under the shadow
: a rock, or woody bank. OF domestic am
, mails, the horse seems 10 require least sleeE
and That he usually takes in an erect pos
e ture.
= Birds that rest in sitting posture are III
@ nished with a well adapted mechanism
If which keeps them firmly supported wi'ho'
e volnutarv or conscious action. The tendc
n of the claws Is so arranged as 10 oe 'is"'e'
y ed bv their weight when the thighs
lie hen,, thus contracting closely, and graspll
u the bough or perch. In certain other al
81 mails which sleep erect, the ar'icuia'ions
n the foot and knee are described by Dune
. as resembling the spring OF pocket-Knl
,i- which opens the instrument ana serves
NO keep the blade in line with the handle
IN |, has been prettiiy said, that, wl'h'
nd Hope and Sleep. man would be incohcei'
blv wre,ched. The circumstances favor
sleep, besides quiet conscience, m
y, uneyci,ed, and a body free from pam, ar
- recumbent posture, silence, and darkness
on When Plolemy demanded OF a soo'hsaye
- oWhat would make one sleep well IN
' niuh, ~ "The best way" he repl
ewas TO have divine aud celestial med
'se- tions, and 10 use honest actions IN Inc
lSe- ,;nen Muller says he could go to sIee
her will, OH assuming recumoent Posi'io
It ol Bopaparte, during his grand career, requ
- M other condition but darkness yet, a
um' Helena, he suffered from sleepIess
was amonp his other tortuTes. Habit eXer
hree an omnipo,ent influence in tins matter
reel' DISTINGUISHED matchmaker, having re
lows from business, was in danger OF phre
rem for want Of sleep, After several mise
ones weeks of this priva,ion, some one suSg
Jew a return to his old place Of abode III
were periment succeeded perfectly, for he
le al asleep in his former workship at once
ously ;o;c;nq in the loud ticking of scor
siua- clocks and watches.
OF contrasied impressibiliiy is the c.
stroud an old harpis, given by Brandls, who
ocked the instant he left off playing but, all
aL undisturbed by other sounds, woke
ea'." medately when auy one touched The
luo'e- Of his instrument
d The Deprived of sleep, man is lnexpre
atlT- wreiched, and eager and ceaseless ha
con- been in search after the means oil pro-
III this inestimable blessing. Narcotics
WIN ery where instic'ively sought and e
} gave employed; and stimulanls, as iGdirecl
as the colo, have unfortunately become il
Ieno,h beverages. Alas what picture OF
,s., presented 10 us in tie fact thai uncon
"' ',"' ness of and inssnsibility TO care and d
", VINO constitute me best boon that can DC
forded to suffering humanity II saheho
an,sn had reason for the heartfelt blessing
slows upon him who first invented
surely all nations will rise up anu ca
'ufno'o' blessed " no shall discover the means
ar Val caring sleep al will, without coun'e
cling consequences OF an unpleasant
=. The waters of Leihe, which possess