892 .Dynamic Theory. 



definite idea or image, is carried on, as it always is, in unconsciousness, 

 and remains in abeyance while the consciousness is occupied by the 

 more aggressive images derived through the ordinary senses. \Vhen 

 night comes on, and the senses no longer transmit impressions to the 

 "brain, the suppressed telepathic image emerges into consciousness in the 

 shape of a subjective vision or a vivid dream. 



Jan'y 3d, 1856, the steamer Alice was tied up to the shore of the 

 Mississippi, just above New Orleans. Her commander, Joseph Collyer, 

 had retired for the night, but being suddenly warned of the near ap- 

 proach of another steamer coming up the river, he rushed out upon 

 deck in his night clothes. At that instant the upward-bound steamer, 

 named the "Red River," collided violently with the Alice, and caused 

 her flag-pole to fall over. It struck Mr. Collyer on the head, splitting 

 his skull and killing him instantly. His parents resided at Camden, 

 New Jersey, more than 1,000 miles from the scene of the accident. 

 Yet, about the moment it happened, as nearly as could be ascertained 

 afterwards, his mother, feeling uneasy, sat up in bed, and upon looking 

 round the room, as she says, < to my utter amazement saw Joseph 

 standing at the door looking at me with great earnestness, his head ban- 

 daged up, a dirty night-cap on, and a dirty, white garment on, some- 

 thing like a surplice. He was much disfigured about the eyes and 

 face. " She was of course much alarmed, and felt sure, as she told the 

 family, that they would hear bad news from Joseph. It wa's thirteen 

 daj'S, however, viz., on the 16th of Jan'y, before the slow mails of 

 that day brought them the fatal news. Mrs. Collyer' s account of her 

 vision is dated March 27, 1861, or five years after the occurrence. If 

 it is to be explained as a transference of a mental state from Joseph 

 as the agent, to his mother as percipient, it must be observed that prob- 

 ably the lady may have unconsciously incorporated with her recollec- 

 tions of the vision, some things that she learned afterwards. This is 

 especially probable in regard to the bandage around the head, which, it 

 is said, was not put on till some time after the accident. ( Phantasms, 

 1-204.) 



In 1883, two friends, who are known by the initials N. J. S. andF. L. , 

 respectively, were employed together in an office. Their friendship had 

 lasted for eight years, and was of a ver} r warm and intimate character. 

 On Monday, March 19th, F. L. complained of being unwell, and during 

 the week received some medical treatment; on Saturday he was not able 

 to come. to the office, and that night, a little before nine o'clock, he died 

 at his home from rupture of the aorta. Saturda} 7 evening N. J. S. was 

 sitting at his home. He had had a headache, and mentioned to his wife 

 that he was unusually warm. Immediately afterwards he saw his friend, 

 F. L. , standing before him, dressed in his usual manner. ' ' He looked 



