OF FEMALE EDUCATION. 53 



however, no occasion to recur to these subjects continually ; to 

 make any one idea unduly predominant is to destroy that well-ad- 

 justed proportion of mind which it ought to be the object of educa- 

 tion to establish. 



Whether the hints I have given be practicable or not, it is quite 

 undeniable that the defects to which I have alluded do exist, and 

 produce bitterly painful results. In conclusion, I would urge upon 

 all who have a share in forming the minds of girls, (and who has 

 not a share, directly or indirectly ?) that to them is committed a 

 stewardship for which they will one day give account ; and if they 

 would " do it with joy, and not with grief," they must conscien- 

 tiously use every means in their power for the advantage of those 

 over whom they have an influence. I shall rejoice if what I have 

 said should draw to this interesting, but neglected subject the at- 

 tention of any one better qualified than I am to suggest improve- 

 ment. 



T/yK». 



ON THE EFFECTS OF CERTAIN MENTAL AND 

 BODILY STATES UPON THE IMAGINATION. 



BY LANGSTON PARKER, ESQ. 



IV.— ON THE IMAGINATION OF THE INS4NE. 



The ideas called up by the Imagination during sleep, being so 

 much more vivid than those of the waking state, sometimes affect 

 the mind in a permanent manner, by persuading it that the imagi- 

 nations thus elicited are realities, leading the individual to act upon 

 the fancies of his dream, and to continue to regard its delusions as 

 facts. These instances of insanity from dreams are extremely rare, 

 and produced only by those of the most extraordinary character, 

 acting upon a mind predisposed to wander, where the dream bears 

 a strict resemblance to the prevailing train of thought, wish, or ap- 

 prehension. Thus, a dream of the day of judgment has produced 

 insanity, where superstitious dread was the prevailing disposition of 

 the mind. Extatic dreams during the night often form the prelude 

 to acts of maniacal devotion. It is also sometimes from enchanting 



