The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-03-31
CONCERNING DREAMS.
They Occupy Only u Few Seconds and Arc
Affected by Events.

They Occupy Only Few Seconds and Arc
Affected by Events.
Doctors assert that dreams occupy n
fow seconds only-at most the space of
about three minutes. This statement
is startling to those who have not no
ticed for themselves what part time
plays in such Il connection. Tho writer
has had several opportunities of PROV
ing its correctness herself, and many
might arrive ut similar knowledge by
asking to be awakened IL minute or so
after falling into IL first sleep. All who
dream will do So Immediately on fall
ing into unconscious + Another reli
able test is to be fou.S IL tho sleep that
follows upon tho morning summons for
rising. a few more moments snutched
for tho tempting after dozc will not I'M
frequently mean dream of II very elab-
orate natnre-onc which implies almost
as many hours as seconds.
Are dreams affected by the events of
our waloful hours? is the question that
has been asked over and over again, but
tho result of observation leads one 10 be-
ieve in such being the case or not. ac-
colding to the Importance with which
we treat them. In connection with such
question events and individuals can
scarcely fail to require separate consid-
Grafton. Events that are all important
to some do not commend themselves in
that light to others, and this fact leads
ono 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.
10 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-
tertainmcnt TO another, the needtul
directions once given, there is an imme-
dlate return to considerations which out
weigh i'll her opinion the more material
ones that held whilom place in her
thoughts. In the one case culinary fail
urcs and visions of indifferent service
will probably haunt the dreams that
preccde or follow that entertainment.
In the other no such fortunes are in
volvcd in the sleeping hours.
There have been startling instances of
the brain 5 power to solve difficult Ques-
tons during sleep. y case in point is
that of Il lawyer engaged i'll criminal
defense. The examination of one Wit
ness after another seemed only to add to
the proof OF his clients guilt. Wcaried
one night with trying to find some point
which might turn the scale in the pris-
oner's favor, he fell asleep, and III
dream the desired point stood ont clear
ly. On awakening it WIS Immediately
worked out. and the verdict of mot
guilty" WAS found consequent upon that
revelation afforded during the hours oi
sleep.
When exercising the imaginative ia
cuitles 10 any great extent. the drenms
will always preserve the ideal charac-
ter of the wa!iciul 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 for the canvas have been
suggested over and over again in the
quiet hours of the night. when TO all
outward appearances there is nothing
but the most peaceful slumber on the
pat OF the sleeper. Cincinnati Com
mcrcial Gazette.