After an interval I dreamt that, wishing to see what A. would do
in case I appeared to him after my death, I went to him as a spirit
and called him by his name. Upon hearing my voice he rose and went
to the window and looked out uneasily. On my going close to him
and speaking in his ear, he was much disturbed, and ran his hand
through his hair and rubbed his head in a puzzled and by no means
pleased manner. At the third attempt to attract his attention he
rushed to the door, and, calling for a glass, poured out some wine,
which he drank. On seeing this, and finding him inaccessible,
I desisted, thinking it must often happen to the departed to be
distressed by the inability or unwillingness of those they love to
receive and recognise them.

--Paris, Jan. 1878



XIII. The Perfect Way with Animals




I saw in my sleep a cart-horse who, coming to me, conversed with
me in what seemed a perfectly simple and natural manner, for it
caused me no surprise that he should speak. And this is what he said:--

"Kindness to animals of the gentler orders is the very foundation
of civilisation. For it is the cruelty and harshness of men towards
the animals under their protection which is the cause of the present
low standard of humanity itself. Brutal usage creates brutes;