SLEEP. 745 



SECOND OBSERVATION." A pair of pincers is held at a little distance from my ear, 

 and rubbed with a steel scissors. I dreamed that I heard the ringing of bells ; this soon 

 became the tocsin, and I imagined myself in the days of June, 1848. 



THIRD OBSERVATION. " I was caused to inhale Cologne- water. I dream that I am 

 in a perfumer's shop, and the idea of perfumes doubtless awakens the idea of the East : I 

 am in Cairo, in the shop of Jean Farina. Many extravagant adventures follow, the con- 

 nection of which escapes me. 



FOURTH OBSERVATION. " I am caused to smell a burning match. I dream that I am 

 at sea (remark that the wind was then blowing in through the windows), and that the 

 Saint-Barbe blew up. 



FIFTH OBSERVATION." I am slightly pinched on the nape of the neck. I dream that 

 a blister is applied, which recalls the recollection of a physician who had treated me in 

 my infancy. 



SIXTH OBSERVATION. " A piece of hot iron is held to my face, keeping it far enough 

 removed, so that the sensation of heat should be slight. I dream of chauffeurs, who enter 

 houses and force the inmates, by putting their feet to the fire, to reveal where their money 

 was. The idea of the chauffeurs immediately suggests that of the Duchess d'Abrantes, 

 who, I suppose in my dream, has taken me as secretary. I had, indeed, long ago read in 

 the memoirs of this intelligent woman certain details concerning the chauffeurs. 



SEVENTH OBSERVATION. " The word parafagaramus is pronounced in my ear. I hear 

 nothing, and awake, having had rather a vague dream. The experiment is repeated 

 when I am asleep in my bed, and the word maman is pronounced many times in suc- 

 cession. I dream of different things, but in this dream I heard the humming of bees. 

 The same experiment, repeated several days after, when I was scarcely asleep, was more 

 conclusive. The words Azor, Castor, Leonore, were pronounced in my ear ; on awaking, 

 I recollected that I had heard the last two words, which I attributed to one of the per- 

 sons who had conversed with me in my dream. 



"Another experiment of the same kind likewise showed that the sound of the word, 

 and not the idea attached to it, had been perceived. The words chandelle, haridelle, 

 were pronounced in my ear many times in succession. I awoke suddenly of my own 

 accord, saying, Jest elle. It was impossible for me to recall what idea I attached to this 

 answer. 



EIGHTH OBSERVATION. " A drop of water is allowed to fall on my forehead. I dream 

 that I am in Italy, that I am very warm, and that I am drinking the wine of Orviette. 



NINTH OBSERVATION. "A light, surrounded with a red paper, is many times in suc- 

 cession passed before my eyes. I dream of a tempest of lightning, and all the remem- 

 brance of a violent storm which I had encountered in the English Channel, in going from 

 Morlaix to Havre, is present in ray mind." 



As regards dreams due to external impressions, it is a curious fact, which has been 

 noted by many observers and is one which accords with the personal experience of all who 

 have reflected upon the subject, that trains of thought and imaginary events, which seem 

 to pass over a long period of time in our dreams, actually occur in the brain within a few 

 seconds. A person is awakened by a certain impression, which undoubtedly gives rise 

 to a dream that seems to occupy hours or days, and yet the period of time between the 

 impression and the awakening is hardly more than a few seconds ; and persons will drop 

 asleep for a very few minutes, and yet have dreams with the most elaborate details ami 

 apparently of great length. It is unnecessary to cite the numerous accounts of literary 

 compositions of merit, the working out of difficult mathematical problems in dreams, etc., 

 some of which are undoubtedly accurate. If it be true, that the mind is capable of form- 

 ing consecutive ideas during sleep which can hardly be doubted there is no ir.<.d iva-on 

 why these phenomena should not occur, and the thoughts should not be remembered and 

 noted immediately on awakening. In most dreams, however, the mind is hardly in a 

 normal condition, and the brain generally loses the power of concentration and of accu- 



