130 TENDENCY OF COINCIDENCES. the time of the apparition, the coincidence-though one which must be frequent, since our dreams usually refer to the accomplishment of that which haunts our minds when awake, and often presage the most probable events-seems perfect, and the chain of circumstances touching the evidence may not unreasonably be considered as complete. Such a concatenation, we repeat, must frequently take place, when it is considered of what stuff dreams are made,-how naturally they turn upon those who occupy our mind when awake; and when a soldier is exposed to death in battle, when a sailor is incurring the dangers of the sea, when a beloved wife or relative is attacked by disease, how readily our sleeping imagination rushes to the very point of alarm, which when waking it had shuddered to anticipate. The number of instances in which such lively dreams have been quoted, and both asserted and received as spiritual communications, is very great at all periods; in ignorant times, when the natural cause of dreaming is misapprehended, and confused with an idea of mysticism, it is much greater. Yet, perhaps, considering the many thousands of dreams which must, night after night, pass through the imaginations of individuals, the number of coincidences between the vision and real event are fewer and less remarkable than a fair calculation of chances would warrant us to expect. But in countries where such presaging dreams are subjects of attention, the number of those which seem to be coupled with the corresponding event, is large enough to spread a very general belief of a positive communication betwixt the living and the dead."-Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft. ATHANATOS. MRS. SIGOURNEY. If thou wilt seek the fellowship of dreams, SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION. From star to star, and let thee hear the rush And by its very power to soar with them, Proves that it cannot die. 131 Pocahontas, and other Poems: Dreams. SEPARATE EXISTENCE POSSIBLE. LORD BROUGHAM. "The mind's independence of matter and capacity of existence without it, appear to be strongly illustrated by whatever shows the entire dissimilarity of its constitution. The inconceivable rapidity of its operations is, perhaps, the most striking feature of the diversity; and there is no doubt that this rapidity increases in proportion as the interference of the senses—that is, the influence of the body-is withdrawn. A multitude of facts, chiefly drawn from and connected with the phenomena of dreams, throw a strong light upon this subject, and seem to demonstrate the possible disconnection of mind and matter." After several striking illustrations of the independence and rapidity of mental processes in sleep, his lordship proceeds: "Nothing can be conceived better calculated than these facts to demonstrate the extreme agility of the mental powers, their total diversity from any material substances or actions; nothing better adapted to satisfy us that the nature of the mind is consistent with its existence apart from the body."-A Discourse of Natural Theology. 132 THIS LIFE BUT A DREAM. ON DREAMING. JOHN NEWTON. When slumber seals our weary eyes, As in another world we seem, A new creation of our own; And all familiar, though unknown. The past day's business in review ; And sometimes all we meet is new. What schemes we form! what pains we take But all is ended when we wake, But though our dreams are often wild, Like clouds before the driving storm; Yet some important may be styled, What mighty agents have access, What friends from heaven, or foes from hell, Our minds to comfort, or distress, When we are sleeping, who can tell? One thing at least, and 'tis enough, The soul without the flesh can act. Olney Hymns. CHAPTER III. ON DREAMS AS PROPHETIC, PREMONITORY, ETC. WHY THE SOUL MAY BE PROPHETIC IN SLEEP. GONZALO. "I AM of opinion with Volaterans, that many times a person going to his rest, not cloyed with bad affections nor superfluity of food, but being vertuously minded and healthfully disposed, his soule in sleeping may foresee things to come; for the soule, which of itselfe is divine and celestiall, being not offended with any evill cogitations, or over-bad meats, is at free liberty, and best performeth her actions when the body sleepeth, not being busied with any other matters."-The Divine Dreamer; or a short treatise discovering the true effect and power of Dreames; confirmed by the most learned and best approved authors. 1641. Dedicated "to the vertuous Carinda, by her servant Gonzalo." ON DREAMS. REV. MR. GREAVES. "Dreams are from Jove," thus sung the bard of old. The modern sage,* if not more wise, more bold, To matter modified annexing thought, From earth, from clay, their origin has brought. * Dr. P. (probably Dr. Priestley). 134 DREAMS ARE FROM JOVE." "The soul's a mere machine;" they thence explain But how can fancy then her vigils keep, "Dreams are from Jove!" their origin divine: She rhymes, harangues, or hails the absent friend; Thus dreams display the grandeur of the soul. Universal Magazine, vol. Ixi., December, 1777. OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPHETIC CHARACTER OF DREAMS. JAMES BEATTIE, LL.D. "We are warranted by authentic history to believe that dreams have given information of future events. Hence weak people infer that they always were, or still may be prophetical. But nothing is more absurd. Because in ancient times there were prophets and holy men, shall I, therefore, conclude that I am a saint or a prophet? Because the Deity has been pleased to reveal Himself in an extraordinary manner to some persons set apart by Him for extraordinary purposes, shall I therefore imagine that He will reveal to me the trifling occurrences of my life a few days before they happen? He has in great mercy concealed from us the knowledge of what is to |