t not with
my ears。 I speak; and am spoken to; without the sound of a voice。 I am
moved to pleasure by visions of ineffable beauty which I have never
beheld in the physical world。 Once in a dream I held in my hand a pearl。
The one I saw in my dreams must; therefore; have been a creation of my
imagination。 It oulded crystal。 As I gazed
into its shimmering deeps; my soul was flooded with an ecstasy of
tenderness; and I was filled with wonder as one who should for the
first time look into the cool; sweet heart of a rose。 My pearl was dew
and fire; the velvety green of moss; the soft whiteness of lilies; and
the distilled hues and sweetness of a thousand roses。 It seemed to me;
the soul of beauty was dissolved in its crystal bosom。 This beauteous
vision strengthens my conviction that the world which the mind builds up
out of countless subtle experiences and suggestions is fairer than the
world of the senses。 The splendour of the sunset my friends gaze at
across the purpling hills is wonderful。 But the sunset of the inner
vision brings purer delight because it is the worshipful blending of all
the beauty that we have known and desired。
I believe that I am more fortunate in my dreams than most people; for
as I think back over my dreams; the pleasant ones seem to predominate;
although we naturally recall most vividly and tell most eagerly the
grotesque and fantastic adventures in Slumberland。 I have friends;
however; whose dreams are always troubled and disturbed。 They wake
fatigued and bruised; and they tell me that they would give a kingdom
for one dreamless night。 There is one friend who declares that she has