Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-03-22
SOMNAMBULISM.

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Slecp.writing is not the least note
worthy among these phenomena. Indeed,
some Of the instances are inexplicable in
the present state OF our knowledge: for
things are done with closed eyes, while
asleep, which the persons certainly could
not have done with closed eyes when
awake. some cases, although the eyes
are open, ordinary vision does not seem to
be performed by them. 1t would almost
appear AZ II we were endowed with an aid
ditional sense, which snlys makes itself
manifest In the somnambulistc state. BE
tbs rs 1t may, the recorded examples are
deeply interesting. A young French
ecclesiastc frequently rose in the middle
OF the night, went to atablc, took pen and
ink and wrote portions of sermons 1t
was rot mere mechanical work--he would
make frequent corrections 10 improve the
grammar and syntax of his composition,
changing, for instance, zee diyn eniant"
into "cei adorable entant, " and then into
'cet eniant adorable On one occasion
when watched by the Archbishop of Bor.
deauX, experiments were made to ascer-
tain what Kind OF vision was being ex-
ertcd. A sheet Of writing paper was
quietly and cautiously substituted for that
which the somnambulist had placed be.
fore him, He did not recognize the
change IL the two sheets were similar in
size and shape; an Opaque screen was
placed between his eyes and the Taper,
but he wrote on just the same. In another
case, young poet, not having finished
some stanzas before he went to bed, rose
IN The night, went To his table, and
nnishcd them--so much 10 his satisfaction,
that he applauded his swn genius and
taste; in the morning he remembered
nothing of the matter. Dr.. Carpenter
mentions the instance of man who wrote
accurately in his sleep, placing his words
al good distances apart, dotting every 4,
and crossing every {. A young collegian
got out of bed asleep, lit a candle, sat
down to II table, took pen and paper,
wrote out some .eometriCal and algebraic
problems, cXtinguishcd the light and went
To bed ngain-his eyes closed all Tie time.
On one OCCASION, an Amsterdam banker
requested IA mathematical professor to
work out very intricate calculation for
him. the Professor set his pupils To work
one OF diem went To bed with his mind
full Of the subject and in the morning
was not a little surprised to find his table
covered With sheets OF paper ON which the
calculation was fully and satisfactorily de.
veloped, The writing was in his own
hand; he had risen in the night and done
/, while asleep.
Walking, without talking or working,
is n familiar kind OF somnambulislic man.
Hesitation. Bellini's Sonnambula" hits
the right note here; poor Amina walks in
her sleep, a tendency which first rouses
the suspicious of her lover, and at,erward
supplies the means of removing them.
DR.. Carpenter adSerts 10 sleep walkers
who make their way over the roofs of
houses, steadily traverse narrow blanks,
and even Chamber prccpices; and this
they do with far less hesitation than
they would IN the waking state" Mura.
tori speaks OF an Italian nobleman, Siguor
Agoslino Forari, who was much prone to
sleep walking, especially during the wan.
ing ~ the mOuG. One evening he PLAYED
at cards with some friends, and went Ia
bed early. His servant told the guests
that, from symptoms already familiar To
him, he believed that his master would
walk in his sleep that night; Ferari WAS
lying on his back, with staring but uncon.
Scious eyes, cold hands and a slew pulse.
At midnight he drew aside his bed cur
tainS, rose, dressed put on his hat and
sword belt, went Ia the fire rs il To warm
himself, went to wardrobe closet. came
out again, locked the doorand put the kew
III his pocket. The watchers held light.
cd candle close before his eyes, but he
took no notice of 1t, and did not seem 10
see il. He went downs stairs, out to the
stable, Strokod his horse, brdled it, and
appeared confused when he failed to lind
the saddle He mounted him, but gave
up his intrntton ul riding on finding the
gate of the court yard locked; he lea his
horse to y watcr-trough and allowed him
IN drink, tied him Ia post and returned
into the houSe. Going Into the billiard.
room he made few movements with
cue, as Il playing; then touched few
keys of harpSlchord, threw himself on
the bed in his clothes, and slept >ouudh
for ten hours. The servant cautioned the
guests not 10 disturb him by any sudden
noise during his strange, unconscious
wandetiugs, AS il might neryously affect
his mind. \ young lady, when Injurious
" i'll, Was prone towalk about the house in
a state OF sleep, never falling over the
furniture or other obstacles; her ewes
were open, but she did not see in the or
binary way, for no winking or movement
of the exc took place when "a strong light
was held close to her face In part eli
France where men are much accustomed