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WHIG-EXAMINER..

of it displayed by the Examiner-his Blunders on
Foreign Affairs, and in Domestic Politics

5. The true Political Controversy then existing-the Mea-
sure of Popular Obedience and of Kingly Power-
the Falsehood of the Doctrine of Passive Obedience

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18. Of the late French Edict for increasing the Value of

19. The unchristian Spirit of our late Party-Writings
20. Of the late Act of Parliament for laying Four Shil-
lings in the Pound on Land

21. The Birthday of Her Royal Highness the Princess

of Wales

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THE SPECTATOR.

No. 487. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18.

-Cum prostrata sopore

Urget membra quies, et mens sine pondere ludit. PETR.

THOUGH there are many authors who have written on dreams, they have generally considered them only as revelations of what has already happened in distant parts of the world, or as passages of what is to happen in future periods of time.

I shall consider this subject in another light, as dreams may give us some idea of the great excellency of a human soul, and some intimations of its independency on matter.

In the first place, our dreams are great instances of that activity which is natural to the human soul, and which it is not in the power of sleep to deaden or abate. When the man appears tired and worn out with the labours of the day, this active part in his composition is still busied and unwearied. When the organs of sense want their due repose and necessary reparations, and the body is no longer able to keep pace with that spiritual substance to which it is united, the soul exerts herself in her several faculties, and continues in the action till her partner is again qualified to bear her company. In this case dreams look like the relaxations and amusements of the soul, when she is disencumbered of her machine, her sports and recreations, when she has laid her charge asleep.

In the second place, dreams are an instance of that agility and perfection which is natural to the faculties of the mind, when they are disengaged from the body. The soul is clogged and retarded in her operations, when she acts in conjunction

VOL. IV.

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