more than probable that, in this respect, if the anecdote be true, he stands an exception from all the rest of mankind. Plenui rimarum sum, may be truly, and without reproach, said by almost every man, with regard to his memory: and that not only concerning matters difficult to be retained, but even concerning the most ordinary occurrences of life.
To remedy this inconvenience, and provide as effectually as possible against the mischiefs of forgetfulness, various artifices have, at different times, been resorted to. Of these, the topical memory of the ancients stands first, both in point of date and of celebrity; and as its principles are very analogous to those of the present system, we shall give some account of the origin and general plan of that invention. And, as Professor Barron, has already trodden this path, no apology will be offered to the reader for presenting to him, that author's very excellent account of the subject, prefaced by some of the ingenious remarks with which he has introduced it.
"The recollection[1] which ordinary memories possess, appears to be resolvable into two principal sources, the vivacity of the impression and association.*****
- ↑ Barron's Lect. on Belles Lettres and Logic, v. 1. p. 609.
