166 FOUR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. sensitive state, of which the modus operandi is not yet understood, but the existence of which is competently indicated by instances? That this is the true explanation, I by no means affirm; I make the suggestion merely to indicate what, it seems to me, may be a possible solution of the problem. 'Evidently there are only these four possible solutions of the facts of dreams : '1. To deny the facts themselves, i.e. that any such dreams occurred, or at least, that they were verified in actual result. 2. To call them accidental coincidences. 4. To explain them in the way suggested. 'Our choice lies, as it seems to me, between the second and the last of these suppositions.'-Mental Philosophy: including the Intellect, Sensibilities, and Will. DIGNITY OF THE MIND IN SLEEP. DR. FREDERICK HOFFMANN. Daily experience teaches us that, during sleep, the body is at rest, and the mind is not distracted by external objects; hence, therefore, the latter can more readily and more successfully execute its operations. In dreaming, it not unfrequently happens that many SUBTLETY OF MENTAL APPREHENSION. 167 things become to us clear and exposed, which were previously concealed, things long forgotten occur to the memory, and powers which Nature often seemed to have denied to us, are developed during sleep, when the mind is reinstated in its rights. Thus it has frequently happened to myself, who possess no natural genius for poetry, to have composed and recited very elegant Latin verses, in proper order and series, of which I could still remember some when awake. And who is so ignorant of sacred literature as not to know that God has revealed the most important matters in dreams, for no other reason than that the mind, during sleep, is more attentive, and more capable of apprehending those things which are revealed ?'-De Optima Philosophandi Ratione. THE ADVOCATE IN DOUBT. PLINY THE YOUNGER. 'Your letter [Pliny's correspondent is here Suetonius Tranquillus] informs me that you are extremely terrified with a dream, as apprehending that it threatens some ill-success to you in the cause you have undertaken to defend; and therefore desire that I would get it ad. journed for a few days, or at least to the next. This is a favour, you are sensible, not very easily obtained, but I will use all my interest for that purpose 168 VIRTUE VERSUS OMENS. "For dreams descend from Jove." In the meanwhile, it is very material for you to recollect whether your dreams generally represent things as they afterwards fall out, or quite the reverse. But if I may judge of yours by one that happened to myself, you have nothing to fear; for it portends that you will acquit yourself with great success. I had promised to be counsel for Julius Pastor, when I fancied in my sleep that my mother-in-law came to me, and throwing herself at my feet, earnestly entreated me not to be concerned in the cause. I was at that time a very young man; the case was to be argued in the four centumviral courts; my adversaries were some of the most considerable men in Rome, and particular favourites of Cæsar; any of which circumstances were sufficient, after such an inauspicious dream, to have discouraged me. Notwithstanding this, I engaged in the cause, reflecting within myself "Without a sign, his sword the brave man draws, And asks no omen but his country's cause."t For I looked upon the promise I had given to be as sacred to me as my country, or, if that were possible, more so. The event happened as I wished; and it was that very cause which first procured me the favourable attention of the public, and threw open to me the gates of fame. Consider, then, whether your dream, like that • Hom. i. 63. + Hom. xii. 243. DOUBT THE BAR TO ACTION. 169 which I have related, may not portend success; or, atfer all, perhaps, you will think it more safe to pursue this cautious maxim: "Never do a thing of which you are in doubt." If so, write me word. In the interval I will consider of some expedient, and endeavour that your cause shall be heard any day you like best. In this respect you are in a better situation than I was. The court of the centumviri, where I was to plead, admits of no adjournment; whereas, in that where your cause is to be heard, though it is not easy to procure one, still, however, it is possible. Farewell.'- Letters. CHAPTER II. ON DREAMS AS ARGUMENTS FOR IMMORTALITY. DEATH AND SLEEP. XENOPHON. CYRUS the Elder, when at the point of death, is represented by Xenophon as speaking to the following effect :— 'Nor do I feel convinced that the soul will be devoid of sense when it is separated from the senseless body; but it is probable that, when the mind is separated unmixed and pure, it is then, also, most intelligent. When the frame of man is dissolved, every part of him is seen returning to that which is of the same nature with itself, except the soul, which alone is seen neither present nor departing. Reflect, too, that nothing more closely resembles the death of man than |