WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF. 281 



are agreed that the explanation of the curious phenomena, which 

 Mr. Braid, of Manchester, was the first to examine and report upon 

 scientifically, rests in the fact that the hypnotised subject is firstly 

 an easily impressed or susceptible person, and secondly, that the 

 attention is fixed and strained under the influence of a powerful 

 will and of a dominant idea or ideas proceeding from the operator. 

 In his trance-like state, the subject is completely dominated by the 

 ideas of the mesmeriser. As Dr. Maudsley remarks, " He feels, 

 thinks, and does whatever he is told confidently that he shall feel, 

 think, and do, however absurd it may be. If he is assured that 

 simple water is some bitter and nauseating mixture, he spits it out 

 with grimaces of disgust when he attempts to swallow it ; if he is 

 assured that what is offered to him is sweet and pleasant, though 

 it is as bitter as wormwood, he smacks his lips as if he had tasted 

 something pleasant ; if he is told that he is taking a pinch of snuff 

 when there is not the least particle of snuff on his finger, he sniffs 

 it and instantly sneezes ; if warned that a swarm of bees is attacking 

 him, he is in the greatest trepidation, and acts as if he were vigorously 

 beating them off. ... His own name he may know and tell cor- 

 rectly when asked to do so, but if it is affirmed positively to be some 

 one else's name, he believes the lie and acts accordingly ; or he can 

 be constrained to make the most absurd mistakes with regard to the 

 identities of persons whom he knows quite well. There is scarcely 

 an absurdity of belief or of deed to which he may not be compelled, 

 since he is to all intents and purposes a machine moved by the 

 suggestions of the operator." So far as this exact description goes, 

 there would appear to be a close likeness between the French ser- 

 geant described by Dr. Mesnet and the mesmerised subject. In 

 both the same mechanical phases are apparent, and in both the life 

 and actions are distinctly automatic, and regulated essentially from 

 without and at the will of the external guide and counsellor. 



The natural somnambulist, in turn, closely resembles in his acts and 

 habits the subject of the mesmerist's operations. It is a notable fact 

 that in the scientific study of somnambulism great differences are found 

 to exist in the relative activity of the senses. One sleep-walker may 

 see but does not hear ; a second may hear, but be blind to external 

 impressions. In some the eyes are closed ; certain objects in one 

 case may be seen, to the exclusion of others ; and one sense most 

 frequently, perhaps, that of touch may become inordinately acute. 

 Such considerations lead us towards the explanation of the remark- 

 able dexterity with which a somnambulist will conduct himself in the 

 most untoward and dangerous situations. Like the mesmerised 

 subject, the sleep-walker will execute feats of strength, of manual 

 dexterity, or of acrobatic agility, such as in his waking state he would 

 never dream of attempting. There is present in such cases an in- 



