The weekly Shasta courier. [volume] (Shasta, Calif.) 1872-190?, 1873-07-19
Experiences of a SOmnambulist.

TOT ten OF niteen years OF growing life
say from twelve to twenty-four-I was SO
inveterate sleep-walker that few nights
passed without ramble. Since that time
have reflected often, and with interest.
upon the well remembered facts, and feel
convinced of several things in connection.
LIST. In some instances somnarnbuIism is
not only akin to what is known as double
consciousness" but is identical with il. The
somnambul1st Is not the same as the person
awake, IN his conceived antecedents. in his
fancled relations, in his supposed duties and
prerogatlves, and sometimes even in his act
ual tastes and capabilities.
I'd. In other instances the paroxysms
are painfully like insanity it is
true, and lasting only until the moment of
awakening, nevertheless painfully like it.
The controlling dream is as much verify to
the persons conception as is any circum-
stance OF his real life nor, SO long as he
continues to be asleep, can he be convinced
to the contrary by any amount of evidence
The will attests the sincerity of his faith bv
engaging in the most desperate STRUGGLES
and by enduring blows, falls, and bruises,
and even blood bringing wounds. sufficient
To awaken thousand other sleepers. but not
himself, so long as these experiences come
consistently with the tenor of his dream.
let, ankle Insanity-we are glad to say so
unlike as to prove generic differences
9"iet remonstrance from disturbed room
mate, or merry laugh from amused behold
ers. will be sufficient ordinarily to disnel the
fancy, and bring the dreamer to his senses
Sd. There Is no doubt, too, as the writer
can testify that tut 4. Al
bulIst Is endowed with muscular power far
beyond what is possessed in his normal
state, and there are well authenticated cases
on record, going to show that the mental
powers are. under similar circumstances. Ca
pable of a like increase.
Taken all in all, there are few THINGS in
liie more puzzling to psychologists than the
phenomena of sleep walking: vet. batting
the hall awe with which it is natural for us to
Dehold the acts of a person not in his right
mind, there are few scenes in life which as
RUE are most intensely absurd, rendered
so oy the ridiculous gravity of the actor,
who is in all earnest.
My hrst recollected experience in this
line is oil no manner of interest or yalue ex-
cept as 1t may serve to illustrate several
points in the philosophy of the case. and I
relate it for this purpose.
A good-natured uncle, who occupied the
same room with myself, was awakened one
cold winters night by finding some one at
his bedside trying to get in.
w nat do you want ," he incurred
Mother told me-" was the shiverinp re-
ply, that if ever felt cold in the NIGHT 7
must get in with you"
In with you then" he said, without q
question or thought as to the real state of
the case. "
ne next morning on awakening, | was
was surprised to discover the change of
Deds, and asked him how came there
INA not your mother tell YOU to get in
with me, II you felt cold ?" he replied inter
negatively.
Not that | recollect." was the answer
and then we had hearty laugh over the
scene, which gradually dawned upop INV re.
collection, helped by the account which he
gave.
This incident is triAe. but as has baen
SAID 1t serves to illustrate several points:
l. lhe dreams which issue in somnam-
bulIstlc action differ from ordinary dreams.
IN the TACT that they are never confined To n
panoramic instant, but are prolonged with.
out material change through the whole ac-
ton OF the dreamer. whether that action
occupies only minute. as in this case. or Is
extended through many minutes. as in a
case yet to be related.
Z. he primary cause of somnambulistic
dreams Is no doubt to be found in a state
OF morbid nervous irritability, but its proxi-
mate cause, giving form and tone to all the
succeeding action, is usually traceable to
some sensation for example. that of un-
comfortable cold. as in this case.
). If the sleeper be reused to normal
consciousness before the dream or its result.
ant effect have passed away, it is oftentimes
possible for him to recall the whole scene
otherwise it is totally lost There is reason
to believe that far the greater part of our
dreams and sleep-walkings are unremem.
bered.
A year or two after this Notwithstanding
in the meantime perpetrated many a wild
act and incoherent talk. in violation of all
the laws of good sleeping-there occurred
another. much more highly characteristic of
this singular condition.
My bed-fellow at that time, and as mat
ter OF course. sufferer from many mid
night disturbance, was cousin of nearly
my own age-a generous, affectionate, high
spirited fellow between whom and myself
had grown strong and lasting attachment.
We were. boy like, passionately fond of the
gun, and being as rule very light -pocketed.
by which is intended not only state of
impecuuiosity," but also the implied fact
that the money,in those days was money, and
not paper, and that few silver quarters
and seven-pences twelve and half