HOW LONG DOES A DREAM LAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9220, 24 November 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

HOW LONG DOES A DREAM LAST.

The Globe says that this interesting question has recently been discussed in t'Crmany, among others by l)r. F. Scholz, who has given some striking examples from his own experience and observation. Ac is not possible, to give a detinate answer; and probably enough dreams vary very much in point of duration, just as they vary in force and vividness. At one time the figures of a dream, whether they emerge from the horn or the ivory gate, are real as in life ; the sorrow is even more intense, the happiness more realistic. At another time they seem to live only in a pale moonlight, and we watch the scenes rather than participate in them. It. is very certain, however, that the majority of dreams are of only momentary duration, though extended occasionally to the length of a minute. In proof of this, Dr. Scholz tells the following story from his experience : — " After excessive bodily fatigue and a day of mental strain, of a not disagreeable kind, J betook myself to bed after i hail wound up my watch and placed it on tiie night -table. Then I lay down beside a miming lamp. Soon 1 found myself on the high sea on board a well-known ship. L' was again young, and stood on the look-out. I heard the roar of the water, and golden clouds I touted round me. flow long Iso (Stood I did not know, bur it seemed a very long time. Then the scene changed. I wao in the country, and my king-dead parents came to greet me ; they took me to church- whers the loud organ sounded. I was delighted, but at the same time wondered to .see my wife and children there. The priest mounted the pulpit and preached, but I could not understand what he said for the sound of the organ, which continued to play. I took my son by the hand and with him ascended the church tower —but again the scene was changed. Instead of being near my son I stood near an early-known but long dead officer—l ought to explain that I was an army surgeon during the manoeuvres. I was wondering why the major should lookso young, when quite close to my ears an unexpected cannon sounded. Terrilied, I was hurrying oil', when I woke up -and noticed that the supposed cannon shot had its cause in the opening of the bedroom door through someone entering. It was as if I had lived through an eternity in my dream, but when I looked at my watch i saw that since I had fallen asleep not more than one minute had elapsed—a much shorter time than it takes to relate the occurrence." Dr. Scholz has collected many other examples of a similar kind.