SOMNAMBULISM. 



ofgaris of animal life, I know, is rarely enjoyed. Sleep 

 is most commonly partial ; some portions of the nervous 

 system are at rest, while others enjoy their wonted ac- 

 tivity. I have already showed you how the sensorial 

 power might be active, while the nervous, is in a state 

 of repose. The exercise of the intellectual powers 

 seems to be rather impaired or weakened, than entirely 

 suspended, either in one or all. This is proved by the 

 incoherence and irregularity of our ideas in sleep ; they 

 float confusedly through the mind without continuity or 

 distinctness, and like the changing figures of a phantas- 

 magoria, are ever assuming another shape and name. 

 The mind in its stupor grasps them feebly, and in at- 

 tempting to compare them together, brings them into 

 awkward and grotesque combinations. 



Emily. And yet you know that sometimes our ideas 

 m sleep are quite original, and our reasonings remarka- 

 bly logical. 



Dr. B. There are instances it is true, in which our 

 sleeping thoughts seem to have a regularity, strength, 

 and vividness unknown in onr waking moments ; but 

 probably we are the subjects of a little deception in this 

 respect. When we call to mind, as we sometimes can, 

 the jokes that "set the table in a roar" ; the argument 

 that appeared irresistible ; and the verses, redolent with 

 the odour of true genius, how stale, flat and insipid they 

 appear. 



The character of our dreams is frequently determin- 

 ed by the thoughts that have deeply engrossed the mind 

 during the day. The ambitious man dreams of power 

 and laurels ; the mathematician makes calculations ; the 

 poet writes verses ; and the gourmand devours heca- 

 tombs of good things. 



Emily. There is a state of mind during sleep, called 

 somnambulism, I believe, about which there are some 

 curious facts pray tell me what it actually is. 



Dr. B. It can hardly be called a state of sleeping or 

 waking, though we are unable to explain all its phenom- 



