Huntsville gazette., 1886-05-22
STORIES OF DREAMS.
Extraordinary Vision Seers of
Ancient and Modern Times.

J. -
Until we know more about the con-
struction of the soul it will never be
possible for us to define the true nature
of dreams. There are many curious
theories abont them in works of philos-
ophy, but none entitled after fair exam
ination to more credence than another.
Some writers hold that we dream con-
stantly during the whole period of sleep,
others that it is only within a minute or
two before waking. The latter notion
is, however, disproved by observation,
particularly of animals, dogs being per-
ceived to be in the act of dreaming
while in profound slumber. Dreams
have an especial interest for US because
so many have appeared to either fore
shadow the future exactly, or to give a
sort of mystical intimation of it, the
connection between which and fact it
was possible to trace afterward. This
has still greater stress because of the
dreams which were indications of future
events described in so many places in
the scriptures. 1t is distinctly stated in
one place that God would speak to his
prophets in dream. The visions of
the Old Testament are most singular.
What are we to think of those of Pha-
raoh, and interpretations of Joseph,
and that of Nebuchadnezzar and its
meaning as propounded by Daniel?
1t is often urged that there can be
nothing in dreams from the fact that,
although now and then one may prove
prophetic, in myriads Of instances they
all, if it were possible to find only sin
gle coincidence-or, indeed, two or
three, or even half dozen-there might
be sound reason in such an argument;
but the truth is there are thousands of
cases of well-authenticated dreams that
are known to have come out true, or to
have been precursors and signs of fu-
ture events.
Many books have been written on the
science of interpreting dreams, chiefly
by the ancients, some in the Middle
Ages and at least one in our time. The
latter is by Mr.. Frank Seafeld, and is
worth looking into. The interpretations
seem very absurd, inasmuch as it is inn
possible to find any connection in the
majority of instances between the Wis
ion and the circumstances it is supposed
to prefgure. With respect to some,
however, the association is clearer.
Thus we are told, and it is commonly
accepted, that to dream of horse-a
white horse according to some authori-
ties, bay according to others-is sign
of speedy news. Here, of course, the
affinity is clear enough. To, dream OF
catching fish is an indication that money
is cOming-also self-evident. as the
scales of fish suggest silver, and the cap
ture of fish is something naturally asso-
ciated with luck. Not so satisfactory is
the doctrine that a funeral foreshadows
a wedding, and wedding funeral.
The rule Of contraries is, however, fol
some unknown reason, one of the
strongest foundations of the whole mys-
tic art. Thus one of the best possible
dreams is that of being hanged, while
to be crowned king is held to be sure
token of ruin. If there be any basis for
a belief in dreams at all, it is extremely
improbable that there can be found any
system of Interpretation that will apply
generally. When certain occurrences
or appearances took place in sleep,
which seems, from repeated coinci-
dence. to have prophetic significance,
the mass of literature upon this subject
rather demonstrates that the elucida-
ton, is not of special character, and
applies only to the one individual.
Charlotte Bronte, for instance, never
dreamed of an infant that something
unfortunate did not follow. The present
writer has for many years had special
dream in the form of regiment of sol
diers marching by, and it has seldom
failed to be the augury of something
agreeable.
OF dreams which turned out exactly
true there are many authentic stories.
Alexander's death was foretold in a
dream of Endennius, and the dream OF
Calphurnia, in which she saw Caesar
killed. is historic. Marius and Sylla
were both similarly warned, and Cyrl 9,
according to Xenophon, of the vely y
hour. The vision of Socrates was very
strange. Awhile lady came to him and
quoted . certain line Of Homer in the
ninth book. There are modern instances
even more extraordinary.
Archbishop Land dreamed that in the
moment of his greatest glory he should
sink to peIditi0n. The grandfather OF
ths poet Goethe IVES confident that the