The Somerset reporter., 1894-03-29
CONCERNING DREAMS.
They occupy Only a Few Seconds and Are
Affected by Events.

Doctors assert that dreams occupy a
~ seconds only at most the space Of
about three minutes. This statement
IL startling to those who have not no
ticed for themselves what part time
plays in snch a connection. The writer
has had several opportunities Of prov
ing its correctness herself, and many
might arrive at a similar knowledge BY
asking to be awakene minute CT ~
after falling into first sleep. All who
dream will do So Immediately on fall
ing into unconsciousness Another reli
able test Is to he found in the slsep that
follows upon the morning snmmcas for
rising. A few more moments snatched
for tine tempting after doze will not I'M
frequently mean dream Of a very elab
crate nature-one which implies almost
as many hours as seconds.
Are dreams affected by the events of
onr wakeful hours: is the question that
has been asked over and over again, but
the result of observation leads one to be
lleve in such being the case or not, ac-
coIding to the importance with which
we treat them. In connection with such
a question events and individuals can
scarcely fail to require separate consid
Grafton. Events that are all important
to some do not commend themselves i'll
that light to others, and TINS fact leads
one to express the opinion that, accord
ing to the intensity with which outward
events occupy our thoughts, will our
dreams be i'll any way affected by Them
To one woman the exercise of hos
pitality means the entire surrender of
her mental domain to all the worries.
real or imaginary, consequent upon the
preparations for the contemplated en-
tertainment To another the needtul
directions once given. there is an imme-
date return to considerations which out
weigh in her opinion the more material
ones that held Il whilom place III her
thoughts In the one case culinary fail
ures and visions Of indifferent service
will probably haunt the dreams that
precede or follow that entertainment.
In the other no such tortures are in
volVed i'll the sleeping hours.
There have been startling instances of
the brain S power to solve difficult ques-
tons during sleep. a case i'll point is
that of Il lawyer engaged III a criminal
defense. The examination of one wit
ness after another seemed only to add to
the proof of his clients guilt. Wearied
one night with trying TO find some point
which might turn the scale in the pris-
oner's favor he fell asleep, and i'll
dream the desired point stood ont clear
ly. On awakening it was immediately
worked ont, and the verdict of mot
guilty was found consequent upon that
revelation afforded during the hours of
sleep.
When exercising the imaginative ia
culties to any great extent. the dreams
will always preserve the ideal charac-
ter of the wakeful hours. The composer
will dream of the melodies which pro
vide his own lullaby when dropping
into slumber, and the artist and the
writer enter the land OF dreams in com
pany with those that the pen or the
brush are guided to depict with such
loving hand. Plots have been furnished
and subjects Tor the canvas have been
suggested over and over again i'll the
quiet hours of the night, when to all
outward appearances there is nothing
but the most peaceful slumber ON the
pant OF the sleeper. -Cineinnat Com
mercial Gazette.