Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-09-05
SLEEPING WONDERS
Feats Accomplished by Some Men
While in the Arms of Morpheus

Sleep in most individuals lasts for
the space of eight hours. Exceptions
to this statement are numerous;
whether these arise from duty or laZi-
ness we shall not venture to examine.
Sir Z. Codrington, the famous naval
officer, when a midS, iDman, could
watch on deck for nineteen hours; this
left only five for sleep, which in his
case was most profound-so profound
that no noise was sufficiently strong to
waken him; yet if the word "Siguall'
was whispered in his ear he awoke and
was on deck instantly.
Reporters IN the House of Commons
require great exertiols to keep them
selves from sleeping. A few years ago
a distinguished member of the 'gentle-
men In the gallery" took down a speech
while asleep. His statement rests on
his oath. Calvin tells of friend of
his reading aloud ID him while asleep.
The organ of vision WAS alone active.
Coleridge, the dreaming philosopher,
composed "kubia Khan Zone of his
poems) while fast asleep. Next morn
ing he was sure there had been an
acquisition to his literature, but was
too negligent 10 write the stanZas. A
few days afterward he attempted to
recall the verses. but they had for the
most part lied and the poem as Il now
stands is but fragment
Every one knows that extreme
fatigue induces sleep. and this in spite
OF surrounding relations which, in
ordinary circumstances, would hinder
any one from resting. Previous to the
shortening OF the hours OF work, fac
tory children frequently fell asleep
while working at the machines, al
though well aware tnat they would
incur severe punishment by doing Sd.
The North American Indian, at the
stake of torture, Las been known 20
go To sleep on the least remission of
agony. and will slumber uLtIl the fire
Is APPLIED 20 awaken him
1t Is on record that. during the heat
OF the battle OF the Nile. oome of the
Over-fatigued boys fell asleep upon the
deck, and during the attack upon Ran
COON, in the Burmese war, the Captain
of one OF the steam friga;eS most ac-
lively engaged, worn out by the excess
of continued mental tension, fell asleep
and remained perfectly unconscious
for two hours, within yard of his
largest guns, which were being worked
energetically the whole period.
Habit and time, place and circum-
stances predispose US all to sleep. The
celebrated pedestrian, Captain Bar
clay, when accomplishing his extraor-
dinary feat OF walking one thousand
miles In as many successive hours,
obtained at last such a mastery over
himself that he fell asleep the instant
he lay down. The Doctors wife never
hears the dooT-Sell during the night,
although the noise is sufficient to rouse
the wearied husband; but should a
child in the nursery cry, then the
mother, oblivious OF all other sounds,
hears at once the infants voice.
1t is related that the Able Faria,
who acquired notoriety through his
power of inducing somnambulism,
was accustomed merely to place bis
patient in an armchair, after telling
him to shut his eyes and collect him
self, and pronounced in a strong voice,
''Dormezp' which was usually suc-
cessful.
There seems to be no limit to the
wonders displayed by a man in sleep
ing Concerdet, the mathematician,
solved one or his most difficult prob
lens while asleep-a problem, too,
which puzzled him during his waking
hours. A professor Of theology in the
mon while asleep. He found it In his
desk next morning. The preceding
night he could not grappIe with the
subject as he desired, but the perform
ance of his sleeping hours was quite
satisfactory to him.
Jenny Lind was one of the most
celebrated singers OF her time. No
one could rival her powers but a factory
girl, who sang sometimes better than
the famous Jenny. The girl could
not attempt any difficult piece when
awake. but when sleeping she sang so
correctly. so like the renowned artistic,
that 1t was difficult to distinguish be
tween their voices. On one occasion
Mad. Lind heard the girl, and even
tested the accuracy of her powers by
giving her a long and elaborate chro.
matte exercise. This the sleeping girl
performed, much TO the wonder or the
famous Swedish singer.
He who is In love with hi nself has
no rival.