PREFACE.
permanent exciting causes: whatever shall be associated with those causes, will press upon the mind in rapid succession. We might swell our little work to a large size by expatiating upon the benefits to be derived from an enlarged Memory, and might quote such authors as Bacon, Raleigh, and Locke, more particularly; but as our professed aim is brevity and perspicuity, we shall content ourselves with precepts adapted to practical use. Professor Porson, who could at will recite any passage from the Greek poets, thus speaks:—"I "never remember any thing but what I transcribe "three times, or read over six times at the least; and "if you will do the same, you will have as good a "memory."
The mere reading six times over, however, without due study and application, can be but a waste of time. Reflection, judgment, and taste, are concomitant requisites. "By locality," says Dr. Watts, we may remember many things, and many things "are brought to our recollection by place." Suppose, for instance, in the fifth Room in your House, (beginning at the top,) you place Henry VIII. and his wives by the fire-place—opposite to whom you place two well-known females, Mary and Elizabeth; you may imagine the wives are complaining to them of Harry's conduct; then, adding 1000 to the number of the room, you have at once Henry VIII, Mary, and Elizabeth, who all reigned in the fifteenth contury. Can this be easily forgotten?
