The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-10
The Art OF Sleeping.

SOME persons have the gift of sleep, and
need not cultivate the art of sleeping.
They can lie Down and go to sleep any
where, and at any time, and under almost
any conceivable circumstances. They can
sleep when they are sick, and sleep away
their sickess; they can sleep when they
are in trouble, and forget all their cares.
They sleep on soft bed, or on hard one /;
with comfortable pillows under their
heads, or without them. They could lie
down ain the midst of the sea-" or upon
the top of mast" and sleep-sleep.
And even if they cannot find place to
stretch themselves, they can still sleep,
bolt-upright, in a chair, in car, or any
where their heads wagging round, to be
sure, but their senses locked up quietly in
the arms ofsleep-sweet sleep. They can
do all this on an empty stomach, and so
forget their hunger; and they can do it
equally well on a full stomach, and leave
nature to take care of its load. Such
people may truly be said to possess the
gift of sleep. Some persons may call
them sleepy heads" yet they contrive
to get through the world very comforta-
bly, and though they may not be lean and
hungry looking, and may even be inclosed
in their own fat, some of them, they are
not necessarily heavy and stupid when
awake. We chance to know some of this
breed of sleeping men and women, who
are match for anybody when awake.
But sleep to them is a gift, not an art, nor
an acquisition.
There is, however, another class of
humans-and much the numerous class
too-who are poor sleepers, light sleepers,
dainty sleepers; with whom sleep-good,
sound, refreshing, continuous sleeps the
exception in their experience, and not the
rule These people need to study the
art of sleeping. And first and foremost,
they must carefully guard against the use
of indigestible food and everything & at
tends TO the arrangement of the stomach.
Three-quarters of all our sleeplessness
arises from inquietude of the intestinal
canal. A plentiful, but digestible and
simple dinner, light and very plain
supper taken hours before bed time, a
sponge bath before going to bed, which
ANYBODY can have in his own chamber
a well aired bed room, and not over heavy
bed clothing, rather light to begin with,
with reserve blanket for after midnight,
if needed are all wise precautions for the
light sleeper.
Light and pleasant employments and en-
ioyments for some hours before retiring
are also quite desirable The diversion OF
the mind from any absorbing, and particu-
larly any discomforting and troublesome
subject of thought, is also quite necessary.
And then, good fair start towards sleep,
when the bed is first reached, is very inn
portant. Every man, when he gets into
bed, should settle himself quietly at once,
and then say "Now / lay me down to
Sleep" and suit his actions to the words.
If he once begins to turn from side 10 side,
it is all over with him. twill be all night
with him.
There is more in this getting of fair
start at once, than most people are aware
of 1t is like getting good start in the
race-the inside of the ring. After all,
however, one may be beaten. But the
chances will be greatly in his favor, if, in
addition to previous precautions and pre-
partitions, he lays himself down at once to
sleep.
But suppose he wakes out of his first
sleep, after an hour or two. Why then
he must play 'possum and pretend sleep,
and insist that he is only half awake at
most, and by no means allow himselfto be
fully reused, if he can possibly avoid it.
People 60 to sleep by sections, and they
wake up ordinarily in the same way; ana
if care is used, the whole man may not be
reused, and only part viii have TO be
quoted again. Yet, after all, the sleep
seeker may miserably full of his intended
rest; for the best device of men and mice
will sometimes gang awry and then there
is nothing better to do but to get up for a
walk round the room, draught of water,
a quiet rock IN an easy chair, a thorough
cooling of the person and the bed, and
another attempt at sleep.
Above all things avoid getting into fret
because of your sleeplessness. Don't think
it -ery grievous or unusual thing for one
to be awake three or four hours on the
stretch. 1t won't kill you. You will soon
get used to the thing, or by patient pains
taking will partially overcome the restless
habit. We know men who are reasonably
hale and hearty, though approaching their