1. The editor has adopted a more convenient and connected disposition of his materials, and has given an introduction to mnemonics partly new, together with several additions and illustrations calculated to extend the knowledge of this art, and to accelerate the progress of the student. Among the additions may be named the application of the art to Arithmetic, which was not inserted in the former edition, for the reasons there stated.
2. Some new and interesting notices of books have been inserted in the account of the Principal Systems of Artificial Memory. This sketch contains notices of more than seventy[1] works on the subject, including copious extracts from many books of great curiosity and value. A small portion of extraneous matter has also been omitted, and the whole of Lowe's Mnemonics has been introduced. This change was made for two reasons; (1.) on account of the extreme scarcity of Lowe's original tract, and (2.) because some persons, perhaps, may be inclined to practise this system, and yet be unwilling to purchase the last edition of Grey for this purpose.
3. To the account of instances of the extraordinary powers of natural memory, is appended an interesting narrative of Zerah Colburn, the young American who is so well known for his wonderful powers in extemporary calculation. This extraordinary youth seems, indeed, to rival the far-famed Jedediah Buxton, in his instantaneous, but correct, solution of the most difficult arithmetical questions.
- ↑ It is, perhaps, worthy of remark, that one of the most celebrated bibliographers of the present day, Brunet,—in his Manuel du Libraire, (Paris 1810,) notices one work only on Artificial Memory, viz. that of Grataroli translated by Cope—the same solitary book inserted by De Bure, in his Bibliographie Instructive.
