ed, not alone through the sense of
sight, but also through the sense of hearing. Last night I told you
the story of AEsculapius. I described to you the _teocali_ which had
been reared in his memory. I told you that at the very top a dome-like
chamber was specially dedicated to AEsculapius. I also explained to you
that in the dome which I have discovered the walls are covered with
hieroglyphical sculpturing. With such a description of the place,
meagre as it is, you could readily construct a mental image, which
would be sufficiently like the original for you to believe it
identical. A dome is a dome, and, in regard to hieroglyphical figures,
in the books in my library you have seen many pictures of those found
on this continent."

"Still, Doctor, that would only enable me to create an image which
would be similar. It could not be identical."

"No! It could not be identical. But suppose that you enter the crypt!
Instantly you look about you, and an image of the place is imprinted
upon your brain. This is objectively produced. You compare it with the
subjective image left by your dream, and you are astonished at the
similarity. Note the word! You look around you again, and again an
objective image is formed. Again you essay a comparison: but what
happens now? As clearly fixed upon your brain as you believe your
dream to be, it is but a shadowy impression compared to those which
come to you when awake. So your subjective image of the place is
readily displaced by that first objective impression, and when you
compare the second, it is with this, and not with your dream at all.
As both are identical, you form the conclusion that your dream and the
actuality are identical. So your first idea that they are similar
passes, and you adopt the erroneous belief that they are identical.
You have compared two objective impressions, where you believe that
one was the subjective image of your dream. Thus you are deceived into
believing that a miracle has occurred. And thus have all miracles been
accepted as such; thus have all superstitions been created, through
the incorrect appreciation of events and their causes."

"I see what you mean, Doctor, and I recognize, now, how easy it is to
fall into error. Few in this world have the analytical instinct
possessed by yourself. Yet, I must confess, I am anxious for the test
to-night. Now that you have warned me, I wish to see whether my first
comparison will give me the idea that the two i