perfect, the momentary knock at the door will excite in the brain an action connected with a long train of associated images: so that in the second of time which elapses between the impression of that sound, and the state of absolute wakening, a long dream will be passed through; sometimes manifestly associated with this atmospherical vibration, and at others not so; but uniformly marked by an inconceivable rapidity in the succession of images or impressions, which are dissipated as soon as perfect consciousness returns. Dreams, therefore, may be generally considered as resulting from some uncontrolled or morbid action of the brain; and this action may be either primary, and attaching immediately to that organ; or secondary and sympathetic, arising from the irritation of a distant organ in communion with the brain.

This position is confirmed by the dreams of animals. It will not be contended that their dreams result from spiritual agency; yet we know that they do dream-as in the familiar instance of dogs-and that they will perform in consequence some of their peculiar functions, as barking, and various other automatic expressions of joy or sorrow. It is also known, that this disposition to disturbed sleep will be

promoted by any cause which has powerfully excited their brain; whether this may have been exercise or disease.

We may trace in these circumstances the rationale of our own dreams-namely, that they arise from the brain's spontaneous action, when under the influence of excitement or irritation, either from its own peculiar morbid state, or from that of some one of its associated organs.

We shall also probably find, that the great variety of dreams may be accounted for on the principle of the kind of disturbance to which the brain may be subjected from this primary or secondary irritation: and it is further manifest, that in the latter case the kind and degree of excitement may vary, not only according to the organ which forms the first source of irritation, but also according to the nature and extent of its morbid actions, and to their special affinities with the nervous system; thus forming a groundwork capable of constant change, and of almost infinite variety.

M

CHAPTER VIII.

The same subject continued.-Definition of dreams;-no dreams in natural sleep ;-dreaming independent of the intellectual faculties;-proximate cause of dreaming;exciting causes;-imperfect sleep ;-irritation of the brain; -dreams of disease; their endless variety, and organic classification.-Dreams of insanity.-Distinction of dreams arising from primary or secondary irritation of the brain; -recollected impressions;-accidental associations.

DREAMS may be defined to be trains of ideas. and images confusedly heaped together during sleep, and resulting from irritation of the brain; that irritation admitting of many modifications, according to its peculiar condition—according to the endless variations of the general health -and according to the nature of any uneasiness, excess, or defect, in any one organ of the body, arising to such a height, or continuing so long, as to produce sympathetic disturbance of the nervous system.

It is to be remarked that there are no dreams in natural sleep-that is, in sound and quiet sleep-the body being healthy, and the mind at ease; but if the brain shall have been irritated by deep mental emotion, intense or protracted study, the commencement of impending fever, or the existence of any morbid action in the system, then dreams will be produced; will be generally traced to some disordered function; and will often appear among the first phenomena of disease.

Now it is to be recollected, that in sleep the intellectual faculties are suspended, so far as regards the manifestation of their action; and therefore they do not enter into the component phenomena of dreaming. For, however some dreams may appear to be almost rational and consecutive, it will be always found that they want at least one link to constitute them perfect mental operations; there is a something wrong

-a want of cohesion in the causes and consequences; an absence of truth, which (however vraisemblable they may occasionally seem) destroys their title to credence, and stamps them with the character of deviation from correct thinking. Thus, there is no accurate perception of the bearing of associated circumstances;

there is no attention to first principles; there is no proper memory-for, however the reproduction of formerly associated images may seem to resemble memory, it will be found that it is always the automatic calling up of impressions which have been previously made upon the sensorial organ:-there is no intellectual association; there is no judgment, which presupposes comparison, and a regular adjustment of the claims of imagination: in fine, there is no exercise of the will; a proof of which is to be found in the great difficulty with which the patient arises from the uneasy slumber of night

mare.

However, therefore, the intellectual faculties may seem to be occasionally associated with dreams, it will always be found that this semblance of action is only the automatic production. of the brain, from impressions which have been previously made upon it, as the organ of mental manifestation; consequently, that the apparently intellectual trains are merely organic associations. And it is well that they are so: for, on the contrary supposition, we should have great reason to blush for them; and there would be at least one spot, and that the brightest in the universe, where we should fail to trace the footsteps