Strange Dream Phenomenon

Abstract

AFTER reading the interesting letter on a “Strange Dream Phenomenon” which appeared in NATURE (vol. xvi. p. 329) it occurred to me that it might be worth while to put on record the following experience which connects in a very striking manner the phenomena of dreaming and subjective vision. Some time ago, when rather tired by overwork, I dreamt during the night that some one had entered my bedroom and was approaching the pillow under my head with the intention of abstracting some valuable papers which I fancied were concealed beneath it. I noticed in every particular the dress, stature, and features of the intending robber, but just as he put forward his hand towards the bed I began to awake, slowly at first, but with great celerity as soon as I perceived the figure of my dream walking slowly down the side of the bed wide awake now, I watched it reach the corner bedpost, turn round, and with measured noiseless step pass along the foot, till on coming between the window and myself it disappeared, as all the “ghosts” with which I was then afflicted were wont to do when shone through by the light.