Descartes tells us that, on November 10, 1619, having retired to rest full of . . . enthusiasm and entirely taken up with the thought of having discovered the foundations of a science so marvelous, he had in a single night three consecutive dreams which he imagined could only have come from on high. After he had fallen asleep his imagination was strongly impressed with certain phantoms which appeared before him and terrified him in such wise that while walking as he fancied, through the streets, he was obliged to turn himself over to his left side so as to be able to advance to the place where he wished to go, feeling, as he did, a great weakness in his right side which disabled him from leaning on it. Ashamed of  walking in that manner he made an effort to straighten himself, but felt an impetuous wind which, catching him up in a kind of whirlwind, made him think he was falling at every step, until finally perceiving on his path a college with open gate he entered, seeking there a refuge and a remedy for his trouble. He tried to reach the church of the college, his thought being to go there for prayer, but perceiving that he had passed a man of his acquaintance without saluting him, he tried to return on his steps to make him due acknowledgment and was flung violently against the church by the wind.