From this account no satisfactory conclusion can, I think, be drawn subversive of the opinion maintained in these disquisitions, that the human mind is not naturally endowed with any prophetic powers.

It is possible, indeed, that it may experience gloomy presages which are the result of the conviction of the uncertainty of human affairs, or the effect of apprehension and moral feelings. The faculty claimed in the Highlands is peculiar to countries where knowledge and true philosophy have not yet diffused their full light, nor religion put to fight these gloomy superstitions which are apt to linger in retired and secluded scenes, amidst vallies soon overspread with the shades of evening, and where the vapory mists float incessantly on the mour

« tains' brow.”

CHAPTER XVII.

ON THE RECURRENCE OF

THOSE REFLEC.

TIONS IN SLEEP, WHICH HAVE ENGAGED
OUR ATTENTION WHEN AWAKE.

“ And the same image still returns.”

Eademque recurrit imago.

Diverse

se as are the circumstances, and varied as is the character of our dreams, and difficult as it sometimes is to trace their connection with preceding reflections and events, it appears that, in general, they take their complection from particulars of a recent occurrence, and are tinctured by the colouring of our thoughts before we close our eyes in forgetfulness, however the shades may gradually change, and insensibly assume a different hue.

VOL. 11.

This connection between our waking and sleeping thoughts was noted by Solomon, who observes “ that a dream * cometh through the multitude of business," and it is alluded to with poetical illustration by Lucretius in the following lines :

And other arts illusively beguile
The mind in sleep with fascinating smile :
Those who on idle sports consume the hours
Which pleasúre varies with its changing powers;
Where transient objects to the mind convey’d,
In quick succession speedily must fade ;
Still though the scene be closed, in dreams descry
Traces of all that has amused the eye.
Oft do the images recur. In graceful form
Some the soft movements of the dance perform,
While liquid measures float upon the ears,
And the whole splendid theatre appears.
With such a strong dominion custom reigns,
So pleasure binds the mind in silken chains ;
Those whose great souls with lofty projects teem,
Renew these projects nightly as they dream.
Monarchs attack, are taken, seem to feel,
Or shrink affrighted from the threatening steel;
Some, as they bleed, their hapless fate bemoan,
And midst the battle's shorts unheeded groan;
Some as if torn by furious panthers cry,
Sone seem beneath the lion's rage to lie *.”

Ovid avails himself of this renewal of the sensations which engage our waking thoughts, in the following pathetic lines, in which he

• Lucretius, B. is. Et quos quisque,

F 2

vented his sorrows when in exile among the Sarmatians.

“ When rest and sleep their medicine prepare,
Vainly I hope the night devoid of care ;
Then dreams which copy real woes revive
My grief, and every sense to sorrow is alive.
I seem to shrink from the Sarmatian spears,
Or raise my hands to chains with captive tears;
Or soothed to happier scenes my mind regains
My long deserted seat and native plains ;
With you, my friends, sweet converse I maintain,
Or thee, beloved, to my bosom strain."

The learned and engaging Sir Henry Wotton in a survey of education, speaking of a child, says,

“ Let not his very dreams be neglected, for without question there is a great analogy between these apprehensions which he hath taken by day into his fancy, and the nocturnal impressions, particularly in that age which is not yet troubled with the fumes and cares of the world, so as the soul hath a freer and more defecated operation*."

Sce Reliquiæ Wottonjanæ.