The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-25

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comparative torpor and mild excitations
are not appreciated, it is not to be supposed
that tho organ is in a state Of complete re-
pose throughout all its parts. So far
from such a condition existing. there
are very decided proofs that several facul-
ties are exercised to a degree almost equal
ing that reached during wakefnlness and
we know that if the irritations made upon
the senses be sufficiently strong the brain
does appreciate them and the sleep Is
broken. This ability to be readily
aroused through the senses constitutes one
of the main differences between sleep and
stupor.
To this fact that the brain is not entirely
quiescent during sleep the possibility OF
dreams ia due; but as its energy is very
greatly reduced it's functions are performed
in a manner very different and to a degree
usually very much lower than that which
exists during wakefulness. We originate
nothing in dreams.
We may conceive of things which never
existed or of which we have heard or read,
but the images we make of them are either
composed of elements familiar to us. or else
are based upon ideal representations which
we have formed in our waking moments.
Thus. before the discovery of America no
Europeans ever dreamed of American In.
dians for the reason that nothing existed
within their knowledge which could give
any idea of the appearance of such human
beings. 1t is possible that Columbus and
his companions may have dreamed OF the
continent OF which they we're in search and
of its natives, but the images formed OF the
latter must necessarily have resembled other
human beings they had seen or which they
had heard described. After the discovery,
however, it was no unusual thing for the
Spaniards and others to have correct
images of Indians appear to them in their
dreams.
Dreams. therefore, must have a founda-
ton, and this is either impressions made
upon the mind at some previous period or
produced during sleep by bodily sensa-
tions. These Impressions, however they
may be formed, are subjected to the unre-
strained influence of the imagination.
At first sight it may seem that we often
have dreams not excited by actual sensa-
tions and which have no relation to any
event of our lives or any ideas which have
passed through our minds, but thorough
investigation will invariably reveal the e1-
istence of an association between the
For instance, a few nights ago I dreamed
that a gentleman, a friend of mine, had
invented what he called a ''dog-cart am
bulance." a vehicle which he declared was
the best ever made for the transportation
of sick and wounded men. On awakening
all the particulars were fresh in my mind
but I could not for some time perceive why
[ had had such a dream. At last I recol-
lected that the morning before a gentleman
had given me a very full description OF
Prospect Park, in Brooklyn. The friend of
whom I dreamed has charge of the con
therefore, fully explained and as dog-carts
are driven in parks, this link was also ac-
counted for. The ambulance part was due
to the fact that 1 had that same morning
found the card of a gentleman upon my
table who really had invented an ambu-
lance. The imagination had, therefore,
taken these data supplied by the memory,
and had combined them into the incon-
gruous web constituting my dream.
The dependence of dreams upon ideas
which we have had when awake was we'll
known to the a%ncients, and is referred to
by several of their most distinguished
writer's. Thus Lucretius declares that dur
ing sleep we Are amused by things which
have made us weep when awake; that cir
cumstances which have pleased us are re-
called to our minds; that objects are pre-
scented to US which occupied our thoughts
long before; and that recent events appear
still more vivldly before us.
1t is related of an ancient tyrant that
one of his conrtiers described to him q
dream in which the courtier had assassin
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claimed the tyrant, 'have dreamed this
without having previously thought of it,
and then ordered his immediate execution.
There is no idea of time in dreams, and
thus events that il really occurring would
require several hours or even years for the
completion, really occupy only a second or
two of time in the dream. Thus:
l dreamed that l had taken passage in a
steamboat from st. Louis to New Orleans.
Among the passengers WAS a man who had
all the appearance of being very i'll with
consumption. He looked more like a
ghost than a living being and moved noise
lessly among the passengers, noticing no
one, though attracting the attention of all,
Fer several days nothing was said between
him and any one, till one morning as we ap-
preached Baton Rouge. he came to where I
was sitting on the guards and began a con-
yersation by asking me what time it was. /
took out my watch, when he instantly took
1t from my hand and opened it. II, too,
once had a WATCH" he said, but see What
am now, With these words he threw
and saw that his ribssWere entirely bare OF
watch and, inserting it between his
ribs, said it would make a very
good heaTt. Continuing his conversation
ne told me that he had resolved to blow up
been the means of supplying him with a
heart he would save my life. when YOU
hear the whistle blow he said, lump
overheard, for in an instant afterward the
boat will be in atoms" / thanked him,
and he left me. All that day and the next
l endeavortd to acquaint my fellow pas
sengers with the fate in store for them.
but discovered that | had lost the faculty
of speech. ] tried to write, but found Tint
my hand were paralyzed. In fact, / could
adopt no means to warn them. While /
was making these Intellectual efforts, /
heard the whistle OF the engine: ] rushed to
the side of the boat to plunge overheard,
and awoke. The whistle of a steam saw
mill near my house had just begun to
sound and had awakened me. NV whole
dream had been excited by it, and could not
have occupie more than II few seconds.
This shows how dreams may be excited
by impressions mace upon the senses. The
following instance is an Interesting case in
point:
Several years ago / had IN attack of cry
s,pelhs OF the head and face. 1t was slight,
the pain was not severe, but 1t was sufficient
to give rise to the following dream.