DREAMS AND ILLUSIONS. 243 



ascertain at once the likeness and the difference 

 between these two states. We must first inquire 

 whether the waking is absolutely distinct from the 

 dreaming state as far as the appearance of the images, 

 their nature, and mode of action are concerned. It 

 has been observed by many psychologists and physio- 

 logists that in the waking state, when images do not 

 arise from the immediate presence of objects, or are 

 not directed by the will to a definite aim, they appear, 

 group themselves, and disperse by the immediate 

 association of ideas, and the measurements of time 

 and space are modified just as they are in dreams. 

 These observations are correct, and the phenomena 

 may be verified by every one for himself. 



In this waking state, which really resembles that 

 of dreams, only the analogy of form has been per- 

 ceived; the ideas of the objects present to the mind 

 have resembled those of images seen in dreams, but 

 they have continued to be mere ideas, presented to 

 the imagination, whereas in dreams the things seen 

 have been supposed to have a real existence. In this 

 respect the analysis is partly true and partly false ; 

 it is not, as we shall see, perfect and exact. 



It sometimes happens, owing to special circum- 

 stances and conditions of mind, or to peculiar 

 temperaments, that the ideas of things do not 

 remain as mere thoughts in the thinker's mind, 

 but that they become so intense that they are for 

 the moment held to be real, precisely as in a dream. 



