Grounds of Natural Philosophy: Divided into Thirteen Parts: The Second Edition, much altered from the First, which went under the Name of Philosophical and Physical OpinionsNewcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Philosophy
Grounds of Natural Philosophy: Divided into Thirteen Parts: The Second Edition, much altered from the First, which went under the Name of Philosophical and Physical Opinions
Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Physics -- Early works to 1800
the better, (as many times they do) then we say, Sleep hath been the
occasion of the Cure; and it oft proves so. And it is a common saying,
_That a good Sleep will settle the Spirits_, or ease the Pains; that
is, when the Regular Corporeal Motions have had the better of the
Irregular.
CHAP. III. Of Human DREAMS.
There are several kinds, sorts, and particulars of Corporeal
Irregularities, as well as of Regularities; and amongst the infinite
kinds, sorts, and particulars, there is that of Human Dreams; for,
the Exterior Corporeal Motions in Waking-actions, do copy or pattern
outward Objects; whereas, in actions of Sleep, they act by rote,
which, for the most part, is erronious, making mixt Figures of several
Objects; as, partly like a Beast; and partly, like a Bird, or Fish;
nay, sometimes, partly like an Animal, and partly like a Vegetable;
and millions of the like Extravagancies; yet, many times, Dreams will
be as exact as if a Man was awake, and the Objects before him; but,
those actions by rote, are more often false than true: but, if the
Self-moving Parts move after their own inventions, and not after the
manner of Copying; or, if they move not after the manner of Human
Perception, then a Man is as ignorant of
his Dreams, or any Human Perception, as if he was in a Swound; and then
he says, he did not dream; and, that such Sleeps are like Death.
CHAP. IV. Of the Actions of DREAMS.
When the Figures of those Friends and Acquaintants that have been
dead a long time, are made in our Sleep, we never, or seldom question
the truth of their being alive, though we often question them how
they came to be alive: And the reason that we make no doubt of
their being alive, is, That those Corporeal Motions of Sleep, make
the same pattern of that Object in Sleep, as when that Object was
present, and patterned awake; so as the Picture in Sleep seems to be
the Original awake: and until such times that the Corporeal Motions
alter their Sleeping-Actions to Waking-Actions, the truth is not
known. Though Sleeping and Dreaming, is somewhat after the manner of
Forgetfulness and Remembrance; yet, perfect Dreams are as perceptive
as Waking-patterns of present Objects; which proves, That both the
Sensitive and Rational Motions, have Sleeping Actions; but both the
Sensitive and Rational Corporeal Actions in Sleep, moving partly by
rote, and partly voluntarily, or by invention, make Walking-Woods,
or Woodden Men; or make Warrs and Battels, where some Figures of Men
are kill'd, or wounded, others have victory: They also make Thieves,
Murderers, falling Houses, great Fires, Floods, Tempests, high
Mountains, great Precipices; and sometimes pleasant Dreams of Lovers,
Marriage, Dancing, Banquetting, and the like: And the Passions in
Dreams are as real, as in waking actions.
CHAP. V. Whether the Interior Parts of a Human Creature, do sleep.
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