The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-06-02

MEMORY WHILE DROWNING.

One ofthe most singular features IN Psy
chology is the fact which Is perfectly noto
rious, that the faculty Of memory acquire;
an activity aud ,enacity in the case OF per
sons about being drowned, which il never
exhibits under ordinary circumstances
An accident occurred some weeks ago, a
New York. which threw number OF per
sons into the North River. Among Others
were Mr. -, and his sister, the hrs
Inamed, editor Of weekly paper in Phla
delphia. They were both finally saved
Mr.. - describes the sensation while
under water. and in drowning condition
to be pleasant but peculiar. II seemed te
him that every event Of his life crowded
lin his mind al once. lie was sensible OF
what was occurring. and expected 70 drown
but seemed only to regret that such an IN
terestng item us his sensation would make
should be lost.
In Noticing This statement in an exchange
! / am reminded OF an incident, which d!sslm
| lar as il is 10 the one just narrated IN sts
general features, had the same remarkable
Awakening OF the memory, which such
cases sometimes exhibit. can yoach ior
The truth oi what follows as well as testify
to vivid recollections in nv own case, when
exposed to the hazards Of drowning, repro
ducipg in a few moments the events of my
entire past life.
Some wears since. A held bond Of B
for several hundred dollars, having time 70
run. All it, mstnrity be found that no had
out il away 50 carefully that be was unable
10 fnd it. Every search was fruitess.
| He only kaew that il had not been paid for
r traded away. In this dilemma, he called
on B relating the circumstance Q! It's disap
oearance, aud proposed 10 give him re
/ reipt as an offset TO the bond, or rather an
Indemnify ing bond, against its collection i
ever found.
| 70 bis great surprise, B not only refused
to accept the terms of meeting the difficult
tv, but positively, denied owing him any
thing, and strongly iu,imated the presence
Of fraudulent design on the part Of A.
Wlhou, legal proof, and therefore With
ou, redress, he had 10 endure both The less
Of bis money and The suspicion Of dishon
orabe intention in urging the claim.
Several wears passed away without any
change in the nature Of the case, or It's
facts as above given, when one afternoon
while bathing in james river, 4 either
| from inability to swim, or cramp or some
other cause, was discovered to be drowning
| He had sunk and risen several times and
was floating away under The water, when
he was seized and drawn TO the shore.
The usual remedies were applied to re-
suscitate him, although there were signs o!
| life there was no appearance OF conscious,
ness. He was taken homo in 4 complete
state Of exhaustion aAd remained so some
| DAYS.
| On the first return Of strength to walk,
he left his bed, went to his book case, took
on, book opened it, and handed bis long
lost bond TO friend who was present. He
then informed him that while drowning and
sinking a be supposed to rise no more. in
n moment there stood ou, distinctly before
his mind, as picture, every act Of bis life,
from The hour OF childhood to the hour Of
sinking beneath the water, and among them
The circumstance of his putting the bond in
the book; the book itself and the place in
which he had pu! 1t 10 the bookcase. it is
needless TO say that he recovered his own
with usury.