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Now it would seem quite natural for one when awakened by the peal 
of thunder to think of his relative, and the sudden thought may be mis- 
taken for a dream. Even if it were a real dream and “came true” it 
must still be regarded as a coincidence, as one instance out of thousands 
of dreams the rest of which did not come true. We hear of the par- 
ticular one, and as just remarked, at second hand, or even a number of 
removes from the original source, to the neglect of all dreams that did 
not come true. At times we see a mention in the newspapers of dreams 
that “came true.” 
A second class is composed of those who pay no attention whatever 
to dreams, and also those whom one Gan not interest in the subject at all, 
who may even express disgust at the very idea of giving a dream a sec- 
ond thought. This class is as unsatisfactory to the student as the other. 
Those who do give some attention to dreams and may be made to 
take additional interest when their attention is called to the subject form 
a third class—the class I have in mind in this paper. They are compatra- 
tively few—but, as in other things, to the few we owe our increase in 
knowledge. 
Out of the long list of factors and conditions enumerated in this 
paper only a few, perhaps only one or two, may play an important role 
in the life of any one person; to him, however, they may be essential. 
As an example, we have the man who requires the quiet of the country, 
or on the other hand, the man who requires the stimulation of city life. 
In asking for data one can put the question in several ways: In the 
case of those who have occasional periods when the mind is very active, 
we can ask, “Under what conditions does this occur?” “What causes the 
mind to become thus active?” While in those whose minds are nearly 
always active, but where there are occasional intervals of inactivity, 
when a man says, “I can’t think,” we may ask, “Why not?” 
As an addendum may be mentioned several other factors that stim- 
ulate the mind and bring on thoughts. 
Trying It on the Audience—‘“for further inspiration.” I recall how 
Dr. Jordan used to do this before his classes in Evolution, as he himself 
told us. I have often wondered how much inspiration he got from a 
dull class. 
An Assigned Task, as a factor, as where a member of the Academy 
sends in his title, and as the time for the meeting approaches gradually 
