Arkansas intelligencer., 1857-06-12
For the Arkansas Intelligencer.
Oneiroloev,

Ignorance hath ever been the fostering spi-
rit which nourishes all manner Of follies and
sbsurdities. AS the mind gropes in midnight
darkness, it is never at loss for gorgon ho,
rors with which to frightsn its unfortunate
possesser. Ever arrogant, ignorance is not
at loss 20 find an Interpretation, absurd
though it may be for every and each the
signs and words which appear in heaven
earth or sea. THE growth of civilization and
consequen: growth Of knowledge, has not fall
ed to dispel these gloomy forebodings from
all minds, save those that are wilfully igno-
rant or slow to understand. Thus we find in
these latter days many, who prostitute the
most splendid and useful gift Of the Almighty,
to the propagation Of the atheistical and in
famous doctrine of spiritualsm. And when
we see this, We sse induced to believe that
this delusion proceeds either from mind en-
tirely untutere6 y one which is crammed
by miscellanev reading, with all the fan
tastes and follies of those who have gone be-
fore US. Without the strength of mind to
grasp principle and trace it from its source
to its end, they take for granted all the say
ings, speculations or doctrines which they
may chance 10 meet, merely because they ap-
pear in print and are uncoptradicted. They
reflect not that the doctrine itself is unworthy
a refutation, and no man will devote his time
to the task, how light soever that task may
be, of demolishing a doctrine which time it
self will soon prove TO be an absurdity-an
enormity. Nearly akin to this doctrine of
spiritualsm is that of belief in the interpre
tation of dreams. To mind led on by su-
perticial knowledge, all shadows are grim
spectres, the rustlirg Of an autumn leaf is a
serpent. Superficial knowledge not being
supported by reason often proves an enemy
to it, and rising in its puny strength strikes
reason dumb With an amazement. Thus
when the mind is but partially dragged from
the depths Of ignorance, ii becomes fit sub
ject for the practicings Of foolish doctrines, it
is then subject to the guidance of blind cred
uFty, and what wonder then if it believed
even in dreams. Dreams are nothing more
than reveries in sleep. During slumber all
must be wakeful else how could we dream
Dreams make more lasting and vivid i'm
preston upon our minds than rcvcries, be-
cause during the progress of the former we
are isolated by sleep, from all external objects
and disturbances, whilst we conduct the latter
during the hustle of life. AS proof of this
call to mind any reverie which YOU have IN
dulged in whilst aloneiu your room or beside
rushing brook, do you not remember then
for longer time and more wildly than those
conducted whilst you surrounded by the
~bury him of men, You undoubtedly do,
and then. Of course, those reveries which are
indul.ed in, when even nature herself is 81
lent, when we are locked in the warm en-
Of deaths sister-sleeP, must be still more
vivid. If this be true and we see no reason
why il is not, then we may foretel by reverie,
much the onerologi>t can in his Dreams
1t Is very true that many dreams mar
rated as having been the forerunners Of events
good or evil, but they are generally compiled
in Nursery story books, or ghost books or
Jortune-teiler's o,cn Took or some other trash
made only for the purpose of quieting pet
ulant child or fIightning weak minded men,
furnishing them with data upon which they
may write long disquisitions upon fatality, OF
may stimulate their powers of dreaming-
Doubtless some of our psychologists can read
an article upon the approaching comet, lin
order to tf1 for a good dreamy then take
about a half pint of good Holland "a first rate
dream m-maker,) snooze away and next morn
ing tell US all about the coming collision, tell
US whsss the comet will strike, etc. The lat
ter is quite important, for if the dreamer can
find ga,cky upon whom he may impose, be
can get his "house and lot" dirt cheap by tel
ling him "the comet will strike upon CT aear
the west end of your house and You had bet
ter SELL No doubt our readers will call to
mind many dreams that have been the fore
runners Of calamity, as for instance the man
man who dreamed the witches rode him."
ETC.. all equally foolish and badges of shall
low or uneducated intellect.
Comet .Struck-A lady in Owen county,
Iowa, has become deranged from dwelling
with morbid apprehensions upon the predict
ed collision with the comet. We regret to
learn Of several instances occurring - .his city
in which persons have shown evidence of
something akin to insanity, the cause Of which
is directly traceable to their apprehensions of
the destruction of the world by the much
talked-of comet-AtJdny Aryas.
attempt at Lynehing IN Massachusetts,
Tho morals of Massachusetts do not seem
to be mending. A late Boston Herald gives
the particulars Of an outrageoos attempt on
ahe payt of some citizens of Milfhrd, in that
4. al, -