Date: 1783

Epicurus "fancied, that an infinite multitude of subtle images; some flowing from bodies, some formed in the air of their own accord, and others made up of different things variously combined, are always moving up and down around us: and that these images, being of extreme fineness, penetrate our...

— Beattie, James (1735-1803)

Date: 1783

"Aristotle seems to think, that every object of sense makes, upon the human soul, or upon some part of our frame, a certain impression; which remains for some time after the object that made it is gone; and which, being afterwards recognized by the mind in sleep"

— Beattie, James (1735-1803)

Date: 1783

The human body is like a barometer: "If the external air can affect the motions of so heavy a substance as mercury, in the tube of the barometer; we need no wonder, that it should affect those finer fluids, that circulate through the human body."

— Beattie, James (1735-1803)

Date: 1783

"But it is urged, that in sleep, the soul is passive, and haunted by visions, which she would gladly get rid of if she could"

— Beattie, James (1735-1803)