of connexion with the brain; and ular function, the slightest increasmany other causes might be men- ed disorder will produce amazing tioned. Yet it will be seen, that changes in the intelligence of such all these causes agree in one par- a patient; who, while he preserves ticular mode of action-namely, the exercise of his senses, and even that of producing a peculiar excite- of some of his intellectual faculties, ment in the cerebral organ, which will nevertheless reason most incorforms the point of disturbance to rectly upon all, or upon some, or the nervous system. And it will only one subject; and will associate be further seen, that this peculiar the most monstrous and incoherent disturbance is not always of one images. Here, then, is a proof of kind, nor the same in degree, but the influence exerted over the menthat it varies with circumstances; tal manifestations by slight irritaand that, therefore, differing results tion of the organ; much more is may be expected; not only as the this influence exerted during sleep. brain may be stimulated many degrees more or less than the standard of health; but as such mode of stimulation may be possessed of a particular character, which will communicate its tinge to the consequent images. In approaching and imperfect sleep, when any one of these irritants exists, it is very usual for unreal images to present themselves to notice: figures exhibiting the most grotesque and even horrible grimaces; and forms the most undefined, or possessing the nearest possible resemblance to some living person, or to those long since gone; as well as fugitive configurations of different associated objects, arise, fade, and pass away; leaving behind them, on some favourably constituted brains, an impression so vivid that it bears the semblance of truth, and the mind cannot be persuaded to the contrary: nay, so strong is this belief, that any effort to undermine its foundation would produce a recoil in favour of what is most assuredly believed to be true. Thus, then, it will be seen, that any impression made upon the sensorial organ, which is insufficient to in terrupt the process of sleep, may occasion dreaming. This state is further elucidated by the condition of the mildly insane. As little consideration will shew that the perfect integrity of the brain is necessary to the manifestation of thought, so, consequently, wherever there exists any alteration of brain But, again, a very frequent cause of dreaming is a more extensive irritation of the brain, experienced by this organ, either primarily, during the approach or development of its own diseases; or consecutively, on the invasion of disorder of other organs with which it is associated; and even varied according to the particular relation of these organs and their functions: so that dreams will derive their character from whatever disturbance may happen to form the first link in the chain of morbid sympathy or association, or from whatever organ may, from its peculiar feebleness, become the prominent object of attention in the progress of malady. Further: the dreams of disease will also present a great variety, according to the nature, the duration, the period, the simplicity, or the complication of the morbid action which produces them; and according to the physical temperament, habits, and idiosyncracies of the individual. In this short sentence will be found a sufficient explanation of the endless varieties of dreaming. It has been supposed that dreams may possess a peculiar character, from the existence of simple febrile action; but it is more philosophical, as well as more consonant with truth, to believe that fever always has a local origin, and that the peculiarities of febrile dreams are to be sought for in the particular organ which forms the cause of constitutional irritation. But the division adopted in this Essay, of dreams arising from a greater or less degree of morbid disposition on the part of the brain itself, or of its consecutive irritation from the suf fering of some other organ of the body, is sufficient for the present purpose. The time will probably arrive, when it will be possible to classify dreams, and when, from being referred to their organic cause, they will become symptoms which will greatly assist the diagnosis of disease: but at present this is impossible; our knowledge is too limited, our observations are too few, to warrant any thing like generalization. This, however, we do know, that there are some forms of organic irritation so slight, that during our waking hours, and from attention to other things, they are not noticed; yet they are sufficient to disturb sleep, and to occasion dreaming. Often, indeed, in the early stage of malady, will this form the exclusive indication of disease; and the intensity and aggravation of dreams will mark the progress of such a disturbed state, while their gradually increasing mildness will equally proclaim the return of convalescence. Again the relation subsisting between dreams and their organic cause, will shew that certain apparent illusions, which occur during the act of dreaming, were really true in their germ, although they may have ultimately become the exaggerated or sophisticated expression of a real sensation. Dreams will be sometimes characterized by the state of the brain during the incubation of disease, and before it has actually made its manifest attack-as in apoplexy, epilepsy, nervous fever, typhus, &c. I have lately had an opportunity of witnessing, and of watching very narrowly, the dreams of the latter state, and the complete and perfect illusions to which they give rise, as well as the firmness of belief with which they are connected; as perfect, certainly, as that of any superCHRIST. OBSERV. No. 330. stitious individual whose path has been crossed or whose pillow has been haunted by some supernatural appearance. We must not omit to mention in this place the dreams of insanity, which are sometimes most extraordinary. Moreover, the peculiar state of the brain, producing this morbid condition of its manifestations, may be suspended during the day, and may be again renewed at night, so soon as the organ of the mind has lost the opportunity of verifying its impressions through the medium of the senses. This state of insanity may be transient ; it may be only momentary; and yet its delusion at that moment may be so complete as to lead the patient to commit the greatest crimes (if criminality could attach to insanity), not only without remorse, but even glorying in the illusion which has led perhaps to a fatal catastrophe. There is a manifest difference between dreams which arise either from primary or secondary irritation of the brain: and even in the former case, between those which are the consequence of irritation arising from venous congestion, or from an increased supply of arterial blood. In the case of secondary irritation, it is probable that a modification of brainular action will occur (we might have said, it actually does happen) in exact correspondence with that of the organ which forms the primary source of irritation, and with its peculiar mode of morbid action; so that the process of dreaming will be characterized by this extensive variety of nervous impression;-an impression still further modified by the peculiarities of its messengers; that is, of the nerves which convey these notices to the brain. When primary irritation of this viscus is the cause of this diseased manifestation, where there is too great arterial action, sleep will be light, easily disturbed, and approaching more nearly to the waking state; 2 Y the patient is highly nervous; in a most sensitive and susceptible state; every impression is felt with an undue impulse; and hurried action, increased intensity of feeling, great rapidity in the succession of ideas and emotions, the sanguine vivacity of hope and cheerful expectation, and the great ease with which every difficulty is surmounted, will form the essential character of the dreams: because the brain is unduly excited; it receives a larger supply of its natural stimulus than it ought to do, or than it knows how to dispose of: and then, when sleep invades the patient, his brain is set at liberty from physical and moral restraint; and it operates largely, without effort or design, but chiefly through ideas and impressions already associated, and yet connected in a manner so extraordinary that we cannot even trace their cohesion or affinity. In the opposite state, where congestion forms the chief symptom of brainular malady, sleep is profound, even heavy and oppressed. In this condition dreaming may occur, without producing a consciousness of such action; or, if the congested state be only slight, and the profoundness of sleep not unnatural, the associated images will have the semblance of great truth about them. There will be a character of reality attaching to dreams under these circumstances, which may leave an impression upon the waking hours not easily dissipated; and the associated impressions and emotions will possess an equal freedom and extent of operation, and yet will seem to possess a greater degree of cohesion, or, at least, will exhibit a family resemblance. These states may vary in a very short period, from change of posture, and various other circumstances; they may distinctly alternate; or they may run into each other, so as to lose their defined outline: and these changes may happen during the course of one dream; an event which, connected with the different degrees of profundity of sleep, will go far to account for the greater or less obvious attribute of rationality which occasionally seems to attend upon one dream; and also for the frequent interruption of the first action of a dream by another associated impression, which interferes with the harmony of the former action, and brings disorder and confusion into the whole process. Let it be remembered, that truth does occasionally attend these perceptions; but this is not often to be expected, and ought never to be calculated for, much less to be relied upon. Further it must be evident how much the morbid state of brainular action, which may be considered as accidental, must be influenced by the original conformation of the brain, and by various circumstances, both physical and moral, which have contributed to develop or to retard its manifestations; by habitual susceptibility to impression; by the amount of its literary labours; by the degree and kind of intelligence for which the individual is remarkable; by the effects of the light and shade of his intellectual and moral acquisitions; by the period of life, and situation in society; by the sex, and the associated plans of suitable intellectual and literary pursuit; by the frivolities of fashion and folly, or the varied plans of usefulness; by the prominent modes of thought, and action, and passion; by the influence of physical temperament; by the kind of life which has been previously led, or which is now resolved to be led; and by a host of apparently accidental circumstances in the manner of living, and thinking, and expression. Now it will be seen that all these circumstances operate a certain effect upon the organ by which the mental manifestations occur; and it is this effect which afterwards communicates its character to the dreaming state. And, again, the slightest deviation from health may so modify the disposition of the cerebral organ, as to change its mental manifestations; and this real or apparent difference will be followed by a corresponding real or apparent difference in the intellectual aptitudes and moral feeling of the individual; and this again may disturb the sleep, occasion dreaming, and characterize its images. This effect of indisposition upon the mental manifestations we often experience when awake; and inaptitude for intellectual exertion, a want of interest in spiritual objects and pursuits, and irritability of temper, form portions of that trial which awaits us here below, and exercises our industry, our dependence upon Almighty aid, our faith and hope and confidence, our struggling against that which is evil, and our determination, in the strength of the Lord our God, to be victorious over that imperfection and frailty which cling to our fallen nature, and which we are constantly called upon to oppose with effort, with watchfulness, with prayer, with the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. But during sleep we are unable to oppose the influence of body upon mind, because the combination of ideas is involuntary, and becomes, in its turn, a stimulus to the brain to enter into new associations, and to give a great variety of character to the dreams. Dreams which are depending for their origin upon these states, will probably be characterized by moral or intellectual agency, unless the brain shall have been so far disturbed by its early impressions as to lose the distinctive character of the first in the subsequently associated organic actions; and this will depend very much upon the state of the bodily system at the time. all these instances, however, we find, that, in order to the production of dreaming, brainular action must be dissociated from the will; and then, being submitted to its own agency, or to the impulse it has received from organic causes, these pheno mena occur. In One other source of dreaming will be found in the recollected impressions of the preceding day, or of some antecedent period. It will often happen, that the dream may be traced to some thought or action which has occupied the attention during the day, and which will be re-produced at night in dreams; grotesquely associated with other persons and things, and, if the sleep be light, with an air of vraisemblance which makes the patient really doubt if it be a dream or a truth. The last impression of the evening will often be revived and carried on; and at other times a long-lost emotion will be recalled by an action which we cannot comprehend, but which depends upon some law of nature, by which impressions once made upon the brain may ever afterwards be revived by its own action, spontaneously, and without any kind of effort. Yet here, again, brainular impression must precede. Lastly; accidental association will characterize the dreams: such, for instance, are dreams of hunger and thirst. "It shall be even as when a hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awak. eth, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite." (To be continued.) THE DANGERS OF RELIGIOUS STUDENTS. Tothe Editorofthe Christian Observer. IN your publication for August 1825, a query was proposed, respecting the difficulties incident to the situation of religious students; and I am surprised that no attempt has been made by your correspondents to pursue an inquiry of so much interest. I may, perhaps, be allowed to throw together a few desultory reflections on the subject, and shall feel happy if they lead the way to a more matured inquiry. from a propensity to vain-glory. There is a high pleasure in the pursuit and acquisition of knowledge --a pleasure greatly augmented No situation of human life can by literary habits ;-and this is perafford security against temptation. haps naturally attended by a cerBoth the toils of business and the tain self-satisfaction, which a man solitude of the devotee are subject derives from the consciousness of to the intrusion of that besetting gradually rising in the scale of companion of our depraved nature. rational being. Now this gratifiNot only will it assault us through cation is intoxicating to the natural passion, and surprise us amidst in mind, and is seriously at variance firmity; but it lays also its secret with the tone of spiritual feeling. mine beneath the charities of do- In the eagerness of grasping at the mestic intercourse, and the whole- phantom of a name on earth, the some exercises of mental improve- substantial principle of " doing all ment. The Christian minister, for the glory of God "is too often having undertaken a solemn obli- forgotten. Many seem to suppose gation to maintain the cause of his that the attainment of a religious Creator and Redeemer in the world, frame of mind is a cheap and easy justly conceives himself bound to thing, while they regard literary devote much of his time to the fame as the produce of labour and study of Scripture, and to those the meed of talent; but they forget stores of varied knowledge which that the glory of mere learning may be made to contribute to its must soon fade away, while the explication. But study is of an graces of the Christian character engrossing nature: it implies intent will "shine as the sun for ever and application of mind to one particular ever." These remarks may, perhaps, object. Now it is scarcely possible be chiefly applicable to those whose that the intellectual powers can re- paramount object is the applause main long in a state of excitement, of men; but the danger which they without weakening, more or less, point out is also incident to the the influence of the spirit of the fearless and conscientious invesGospel upon the affections. The tigator of truth. The zeal of inhabit, for instance, of religious quiry, and the triumph of discovery, watchfulness, cannot remain unim- may too easily become inconsistpaired in a mind abandoned to the ent with that humble and circumenthusiasm of research and the spect temper of mind which befits glow of literary composition. The the condition of a pilgrim in an first danger, therefore, which ap- enemy's country. An inordinate pears to beset the path of the theo- thirst, also, for knowledge, may be logical student, is that of mistaking allowed to degenerate into the purthe notions which reading has pro- suit of fable and conjecture, and duced in the understanding, for tempt, even those who are called to those practical convictions which the sacred office of speaking to the must emanate from the heart. He souls of their hearers, to make edimay suppose, that, while he is barely fication subservient to the glitter of accumulating ideas, he is implant- rhetoric and the subtilties of science. ing habits and feelings: he may mistake divinity for religion, and lose sight of the inward essence of Christianity in its external accompaniments. Another of those snares by which the young divine is environed, arises There is yet another danger applicable to the situation of candidates for the Christian ministry. Although learning is, generally speaking, not merely an ornament, but even a buttress to a church; and though the cultivation of it, |