The philosophy of sleep / [Robert Macnish].

  • Robert Macnish
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The philosophy of sleep / [Robert Macnish]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    land to which his visions have transported him. All the events of his own existence fade away ; and he becomes a native of Rome or Russia, gaz- ing upon the appalling spectacle. On the other hand, the mind may be filled with imagery equally exaggerated, but of a more pleas- ing character. The sound of a flute in the neigh- borhood may invoke a thousand beautiful and de- lightful associations. The air is, perhaps, filled with the tones of harps, and all other varieties of music—nay, the performers themselves are visi- ble; and while the cause of this strange scene 1s one trivial instrunient, we may be regaled with a rich and melodious concert. For the same reason a flower being applied to the nostrils may, by af- fecting the sense of smell, excite powerfully the imagination, and give the dreamer the idea of walking in a garden. There is one fact connected with dreams which is highly remarkable. When we are suddenly awaked from a profound slumber by aloud knock at, or by the rapid opening of, the door, a train of actions which it would take hours, or days, or even weeks to accomplish, sometimes passes through the mind. ‘Time, in fact, seems to be in a great mea- sure annihilated. An extensive period is reduced, as it were, toa single point, or rather a single point is made to embrace an extensive period. In one instant, we pass through many adventures, see many strange sights, and hear many strange sounds. If we are awaked by a loud knock, we have perhaps the idea of a tumult passing before
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