Though plain and palpable each subject seems, Yet do not put your trust too much in dreams; Events may happen, which in dreams you see, And yet as often quite contrary be: This learned hint observe, for Shipton's sake-- Dreams are but interludes which fancies make. Many persons persuade themselves into the belief that events are revealed to them in dreams. Those who can neither _see_ nor _hear_ spirits generally presume to have this faculty. _One_ dream is not taken much notice of, but if the dream be repeated substantially _three_ times, the events of the dreams are supposed to be sure to come to pass. Some _see_ all the circumstances as _realities_ in their dreams, others only have dim recollections; they _hear_ all but do not _see_ the persons. This agrees with the supposed _prophetical_ dreams of the ancient Greeks and Romans. (_Homer_, _Virgil_, _Ovid_, &c.) Morning dreams are more to be relied on than those of any other time. Those of the morning twilight are most valued. Horrid dreams, or those in which the dreamer feels very uneasy, are supposed to predict bad luck, or misfortune to the family. "Dreams," they say, "always go by contraries." There is a very general belief in dreams among the people of Lancashire. The following are a few not hitherto noticed by the writer:--1. Dreaming of _misfortune_ betokens _prosperity_. "Content and happy may they be Who dream of cold adversity; To married man and married wife It promises a happy life." 2. To dream of sickness betokens _marriage_ to young persons. 3. Dreaming of being before an altar indicates sorrow and misfortune. 4. To see angels is a sure sign of coming happiness. 5. When you dream of being angry with any one, you may count that person amongst your best friends. 6. To dream of catching fish is very unfortunate; every fish you take betokens the death of some valued friend. 7. Dreaming about balls, dances, &c., indicates coming good fortune. To the young we may say:-- "Who dreams of being at a ball, No cause have they for fear; For soon they will united be To those they hold most dear." 8. When persons dream of losing their hair, it is a sign of loss of health, friends, or property. 9. If a person dream of losing _one_, or _more_, of his teeth, it is a sign that he will lose _one_, or _more_, lawsuits which he may happen to be engaged in. I knew a person who had a case in our county court. The case was to come on on the Thursday; but on Wednesday night he dreamt he had lost a tooth. On the case being decided against him, he appealed to his dream as a sure indication of his non-success. 10. Dreaming of bees is counted lucky, because they are industrious. "Happy the man who dreaming sees The little humble busy bees Fly humming round their hive."