MNEMONICA OR THE Art of Memory Drained out of the pure FOUNTAINS OF ART NATVRE Digested into Three Books ALSO A Physical TREATISE of cherishing Natural Memory diligently collected out of divers Learned Mens WRITINGS By John Willis Batchelour in Divinity Omne bonum Dei donum Ut unaquaeque ars nobilissima ac divinissima fuit ita ad mortalium cognitionem tardissimè pervenit Cardanus LONDON Printed and are to be sold by Leonard Sowersby at the Turn-stile near New-market in Lincolns-Inn fields 1661. To the Honorable William Pierrepont Esq Honored Sir IF Lines were capable of Humane affections these would blush they are so mean a present to so Illustrious and person at least conscious of their Masters presumption they would condole his unhappiness that had not greater ability to accommodate some more worthy Fabrick to so fair a Frontispiece The Original compiled by a learned hand among some vulgar things and trifles containeth very excellent and profitable matter I hope it hath not lost its utility though Grace in English Honored Sir I fear good intentions are no sufficient Plea for temerous Enterprises especially the Undertaker being privie to his own imperfections Therefore like a Criminal acknowledging my vanity in ambitiously affecting things above my Sphere I humbly re-implore your Honors pardon and admittance to be what I was before Your Honors most humble Servant Leonard Sowersby THE PREFACE THough I hope Courteous Reader this my Art of Memory is so perfect and complete in all parts that it will out-live the envy of Detractors yet seeing like a new-born Infant it doth now first present it self to the world let me in a word or two demonstrate how agreeable this Art is both to Reason and the principles of Nature that so I may recall what the prejudice of many hath long proscribed I do very well understand the whole Controversie about this Art is principally referred to that part which is called Local Therefore wholly omitting the other helps of Memory described in the first and second parts of this Book I will onely insist upon defence of this which is handled in the third Book and will prove by most evident reasons it doth not so much vary from Art and natural use of Memory as ignorant persons prate First I acknowledge and willingly confess that Writing is the surest Guardian of memorable things far excelling all other Art of Memory but a man cannot always commit to writing every thing he desireth to remember and must therefore necessarily sometimes make use of other helps As writing Memorandums is worthily esteemed the best way of Remembring so that may rightly challenge the next place which beareth greatest affinity thereto Now if men deal impartially they will easily find that the Art of Memory by Places and Idea's or Images doth very nearly resemble Writing The Places in artificial Memory are as it were Leavs the Idea's Letters the distribution of them in Places representeth Writing lastly the repetition of them Reading which thing Cicero in his Partitions but more copiously in his second Book De Oratore doth elegantly declare Secondly experience teacheth that Places and Idea's do much conduce to faithful remembrance of things particularly as to Places their usefulness doth hence appear that if a Traveller observe any remarkable thing in a cross-way or some noted place of his journey returning the same way he doth not onely remember the place but calleth to mind what soever he had seen there though at present removed The same thing often happeneth in Repetition of Idea's for the mind as it were walking through the same Places in which formerly it had disposed Idea's and carefully marshalled them in order with purpose of perusal by occasion of the Places is much assisted in recalling Idea's to mind there placed So Printers by Distrribution of their Letters into several Boxes do without any hesitation fetch them thence upon occasion extending hands to the right Box. The history of Simonides of Chios is very pertinent to this purpose who being at Supper among many other Guests at a wealthy mans house named Scope was acquainted two young men attended at the door to speak with him Simonides arising from the Table went to them whiles he was at the door the Guests were every one slain by a sudden fall of the chamber whereby their bodies were so bruised and defaced that they could not be distinguished one from another when their friends came to bury them but Simonides bearing well in mind in what place each of them was seated pointed out the bodies of them all and was hereby first admonished that Places and order might be very advantagious to quicken Memory He also left to posterity some Precepts of the Art of Memory which are all since drowned in the deep gulph of Antiquity Another singular example correspondent in some sort to this is the Election of Darius to the Persian Monarchy Cambyses being dead as saith Herodotus it was concluded among the seven Persian Princes next morning to take horse together and to ride forth of the City unanimously agreeing the chief soveraignty without any further contest should reside in him whose Horse first neighed Darius one of the seven through the craft of his Groom Oebares obteined the Supremacy Oebares was a subtil wilie fellow to whom Darius discovered the whole business and warned him to use all diligence to prevent his Competitors Oebares desired him to take no care for he would effectuate his so much desired design Before night Oebares led forth a Mare chiefly affected by Darius his Horse and tied her in the high-way through which the Princes were to ride next morning afterward he brought forth Darius his Horse and leaving him at liberty suffered him to cover the mare At Sun-rising the seven Princes of Persia mounted together and rode forth of the City when they came to the place where Oebares had tied the Mare the night before immediately Darius his horse began to neigh and presently the other Princes as hearing some divine Oracle alighted and saluted him King This example if I am not deceived doth sufficiently evince the utility of Places to rouse up Memory seeing even bruit beasts remember things placed by the place Further that Memory is quickned by Idea's is thus manifest No man is ignorant that Memory is stronger conversant about sensible things then about insensible and of sensible things those which are visible make deepest impression therefore things heard are more firmly retained in Memory then those which are barely conceived in mind things seen better then those which are heard according to the Poet Segnius irritant animos dimissa per aures Quam quae sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus Et quae ipse sibi tradit spectator Things heard in mind no such impression make As those whereof our faithful eyes partake And whereof we our selves spectators are For this cause Physicians perswade Students of Physick not only to read over the works of Hippocrtes Galen and
it properly relateth or if you had rather cause clean paper to be bound between every leaf to receive such Comments Or which is better have plenty of white Paper bound at the end of the Book in which write your Interpretation and relate them to the text by like numbers or letters prefixed before the Notes and Text. CHAP. V Of remembring long Speeches NOw lastly I will treat of Speeches A speech according to my acceptation is any large Treatise composed of many sentences of one kind such are Sermons Orations Declarations Heads or Sections of Books or finally any long Treatise or memorable Speeches are either such as are framed by our selves or by others Again Speeches of other men are either extant in Books or are delivered by word of mouth If the Speeches to be remembred are already extant in print it is sufficient to set down their Titles in your Common-place-Book under their proper Heads to advertise you in what Chapter or part of a Book this or that Argument is more largely handled As for example In the first Book of Calvin's Institutions and thirteenth Chapter the three persons of the Godhead in one Essence is proved by divers reasons to transcribe which Treatise though in Epitome would be very laborious Therefore it is better under the title of Trinity among other common observations pertaining to the same purpose to write down these words That three Persons are contained in one onely Essence of God Cal. Institut Lib. 1. Cap. 13. By which Citation you are directed to that place of Calvin whensoever you please If the Speech you desire to preserve be verbally pronounced you must take it in short-hand if you have skill otherwise in long hand with as much celerity as you can If you be at any time left behind through nimble volubility of the Speakers tongue it will be sufficient to write onely the essential words of every Sentence as for the most part are Substantives and Verbs leaving vacant spaces in which either words of less weight may be interposed which must be supplyed immediately after the Speech is ended Four things must be observed that speeches contrived by our selves may be deeply fastened in memory Method Writing Marginal Notation and Meditation the Method ought to be so disposed that every part of an entire Speech and every sentence of those parts precede according to their dignity in nature that is that every thing be so placed that it may give light to understand what followeth Such a method is very effectual to ease the memory both of Speaker and Hearer for in a speech methodically digested each sentence attracteth the next like as one link draweth another in a Golden Chain therefore Method is called the Chain of Memory For this cause let every former sentence so depend on the latter that it may seem necessarily related thereunto In writing a Speech let your first care be that your Lines extend not too far but that space enough be left in the Margent In the next place that your whole speech be distinguished into heads for a distinct mind apprehendeth better then one confused After you have compiled a Speech you are shortly to deliver do not transcribe it though it be both blotted and interlined lest you lose as much time in new Writing as would suffice to learn it Besides the blots and interlining do more firmly fasten in mind the sentences so blotted and interlined then if they were otherwise This is also to be noted that although it be necessary to write over the intire Speech or at least brief notes thereof before it be publikely pronounced yet ought that Transcription by no means to be seen publikely unless Memory languish and be weak For the mind doth better recollect it self in the absence of Notes and by united force is better prepared to speak Marginal Notation is when one or two chief words of every sentence is placed in the Margent which so soon as seen which is with the least cast of an eye revoketh the whole sentence to mind As if this ensuing small Treatise of the Resurrection were to be learned by heart I distinguish the sentences thereof by words placed in the Margent by which means they are speedily remembred That there shall be a Resurrection of the dead at the last day is confirmed by these reasons Because it is imperfect First that which is imperfect is uncapable of perfect felicity in its kind but the soul separate from the body is imperfect and therefore not capable of perfect felicity Thence followeth a necessity of the Bodies Resurrection that by the conjunction thereof with the Soul the Elect may enjoy perfect felicity How are they happy Tertullian saith Tertullian if they shall perish in part Seals of Salvation Secondly If the Body by Christs command ought to be as well partaker of the seals of salvation as the Soul then it shall as well participate of Eternal Salvation but the Body according to Christs institution ought to partake of the seals of salvation For the Body is washed with water of Baptism and nourished by Bread and Wine in the Lords Supper Ergo c. As Seeds Thirdly Like as Seeds cast into the Earth dye and revive again so humane bodies buried in the ground dissolved and corrupted shall rise again at the last day by the quickening virtue of Christ Paul brandeth him with folly 1 Cor. 13.35 who cannot conclude the resurrection of the dead out of the vivification of Seeds buried in the ground 1 Cor. 13.35 whence Augustine Augustine He which vivisieth dead and putrified Seeds by which men live in this world more facilely will raise you up to live eternally Revolution of things Fourthly The Revolution of all things is an argument of the Resurrection as Day followeth night Waking Sleep Rest Labor and Winter Summer so Life followeth death and Resurrection Sepulture That which Tertullian speaketh in his Book Of the Resurrection of the flesh Tertullian is pertinent hereto Day saith he dyeth into night yet is enlivened again with glorie all over the world Fiftly It is evidently proved by the Resurrection of Christ seeing Christ which is our head is already risen it is a testimony that we also who are his members shall live after death Where the head is thither will the members be gathered Christ our head 1 Cor. 15.20 in this respect Christ is termed the first fruits of the dead 1 Cor. 15.20 Resurrection of others Sixthly The particular Resurrection of some to a temporal life in this world was a sign of the general Resurrection to eternal life to be at the end of the world These were raised again after death 1. The son of the widow of Sarepta 1 King 18.22 2. The son of the Shunamite 2 King 4.33 3. A certain man by the touch of Elias bones 2 King 13.21 4. The son of the widow of Naim Luke 7.15 5. The daughter of Jairus Luke 8.48
admitted in this Art also many things very necessary quite omitted with so much confusion and disorder that scarcely any certainty could be found wherein to insist I did heartily desire to raise this excellent Art out of the thick fogge wherein it was inveloped and eliminate all its superfluities wherewith it was defiled Accordingly I undertook it at leisure hours and by dismissing superabundancies and supplying defects have reduced it into a new and if I be not deceived much better form which experience having proved very beneficial to my self I conceived might also profit others and therefore have boldly published the same These are the things I had to say in approbation of artificial memory whence I think doth sufficiently appear that the principles hereof are derived from the most internal Fountains of Art and Nature Such as have good natural memories may well want the use of this Art like as healthy people need no physick but it will be of singular advantage to such as have dull remiss momories especially if they be quickned and sharpned by diligent practice of this Art from theit younger years No man is indued with so happy a Memory but he may improve it by this Art for as all liberal sciences help nature to perfection by demonstrating some more accomplished method then Nature it self hath taught so also this Men compose Arguments naturally but learn to argue better by Logick so though Nature teach us to remember yet we learn to commit things to Memory more surely by benefit of this Art How mean soever these things are exposed in the ensuing Books they have been divulged with a desire of your Utility It is your part therefore to take my indeavours and labours in good part as I acknowledge it mine to give glory to God in all things and to look upon him as the Author of all good Arts and the Fountain of Wisdome Farewell J. W. The Art of Memory The first Book CHAP. I. Of remembring common affairs MNemonica or artificial Memorie so far as it falleth under our present consideration is two-fold in Writing or without Writing The Written way of Remembring dependeth on naked hand-writing which is more certain and facil then the other and therefore alwaies to be used when oportunity doth permit In treating hereof it were superfluous to speak of writing notes superfluous to speak of writing notes in Table-books or to pursue every trivial matter but onely deliver such things as seem more usefull First I will handle Notation of common business afterwards such things as pertain to learning Concerning the former of these two I will onely adde one precept omitting such as are in frequent use Provide an Almanack with blank pages in which every evening against the proper day of the moneth set down your chiefest business of that day and also the names of such persons as you have conversed with about any serious affair either at home or abroad Though the utility hereof be not presently conspicuous yet many times afterward it is of great consequence to resolve difficulties of very great importance Suppose that after some revolution of time three months a year or more question arise about the very day whereon such or such a thing hapned an exact knowledg whereof will be very profitable the certain day you have forgotten but well remember it was on the same day your sheep were shorn or the day after such friends dined with you this being considered your Almanack will exhibit the particular day Moreover by the mens names with whom you spake that day haply you may learn many things most necessary to be known in the present cause This briefly shal suffice concerning remembring ordinary business CHAP. II. Of remembring Words THere are four kinds of Memorandums belonging to Discipline or Learning Words Phrases Sentences and Set-Speeches A Word may be remembred by Derivation or Connexion Derivation is proper or Improper Proper Derivation is an apt interpretation of Words as Pellex an Harlot of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a word compounded of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the division of man and wife or if you please of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because an Harlot is a Divided Wife 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blessed as it were of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 immortal Filii and filiae Sons and Daughters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the love they procure between Parents vir a Man à viribus Mulier a Woman quasi mollior from the Sexes tenderness Puer a Boy à puritate corporis Panis Bread of Pan who as Olaus Magnus saith first invented the Bakers Art Popa a Glutton or Victualler from Popina a Cooks-shop Lucus a Grove à lucendo for it properly signifieth a place planted with trees enlightned with Torches and hallowed to some Idol Babble of Babel a Soldier of Soldurius who served under Cesar Lib. 3. Ces Com. or if you had rather quasi sole duratus Church antiently called Kirk of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sup 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lord's-house Neighbour as it were nigh thy bower a word formerly used for a dwelling house Gospel of good spel antiently used for speech or tidings Partridge of parting a ridge for they are usually found in ridges of Land Improper Derivation is a strained interpretation of a word as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 drunkenness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because after sacrifice they feasted their pallates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 smoke as it were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the steam of something burning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lachrimae à lacerando so Tears in English of tearing the heart Monumentum quasi monens mentem Domus ex do mus Cottage as it were a coat for age Beer as it were Bee-here Gossip of go-sip Simony as it were See-mony and Derivation howsoever absurd or wrested printeth words in Memory yea the further it is fetched the deeper impression it maketh A Word is retained by Connexion when it is aptly composed in a sentence amongst other words Homer said well Words have wings both because being spoken they cannot be recalled and that if they be neglected in the scope of sentences they are forgotten for example let these words Oestrum a Gad-bee and Cynomya an Horse-flie be propounded to be remembred they may be comprehended in a sentence thus Viminia tibi lotione macerantur quae cynomya adeoque etiam oestro vehement ius pungent Rods steeped in piss sting worse then a Horse-flye or Gad-bee So these words Vitricus a Father-in-law Acupedius a Footman illunis moonless are thus comprised in a sentence Illunis licet sublustris tamen nox erat quâ Acupedius ad Vitrici aedes deflecteret It was a light night though the moondid not shine in which the Footman called at my Father in law his house Again suppose these words to be kept in mind Alyptes a Surgeon succenturiatus substituted tympanotriba
a Drummer strigosus bare bone they may be thus framed into a Sentence Alyptes strigosus in locum tympanotribae caesi succenturiatus est A bare-boned Chyrurgeon was substituted in place of the slain Drummer This is a profitable kind of exercise for unknown out-worn forreign or seldom used words which occur sometimes in reading and are to be observed that they may be better known Learners who study the primitive words of any Language as Latine Greek or Hebrew may reap no smal benefit by Derivation and Connexion of words if they imitate the following method Having provided a paper-Paper-book to contain the Primitive words divide every page into three Columns of which let the third be broadest In the first columne write down the Primitive words in the second their significations in the third their Etymologies or Derivations But if you meet with any word that doth not presently admit Derivation either Proper or Improper leave the space in the third columne void and pass on to the next word that you may not lose time by a perplexed indagation of the Etymology Then collect all the words you find in the page which decline Derivation into one sentence so by Connexion you may imprint those words in Memory which you cannot by Derivation Every such sentence must be written at the bottom of the page I will give you an Example in the first twelve primitive words of the Greek tongue as they are exhibited in the Catalogue of John Surcinus in this order 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to exhale from the feigned sound wee make in breathing Scap. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to hurt of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the first Passive Aorist of the verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to hurt according to the Ionick dialect 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 kind of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the privative particle and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 envious 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to meet of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying the same 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Maidservant delicate These words have a manifest Relation one to the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  These words have a manifest Relation one to the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 foolish  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a heap  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 good As it were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Divine or of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be admired hence cometh our English word Agast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Overmuch Hence cometh our English word Again and Again 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to love  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Posts From Angeri to afflict for so they do their Horses with their Spurs and hence may come our English word Angry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What should a fool do with heaps of goods Here you may see two words admitting no derivation comprehended in one Sentence but the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to love is so frequent it needeth no connexion The manner of exercise to learn these is thus First lay a flat Ruler or your finger over the middle Column in such sort that the words of the first and third Column which contain the primitives their derivations may appear on both sides by mutual comparison of which you must try to investigate the significations latent under the Ruler Afterward conceal the first Column in like manner that by comparing the significations and derivations lying in sight you may study the primitive words latent under the Ruler or your finger If you dispatch but one page a day after this order which is scarcely an hours work in few dayes you may fix all the primitive words of the whole tongue in your mind without any labor nay rather with delight If you can procure some companions in scrutinie of the derivations equally lovers of the same study your labour will be rendered much more delectable and facile CHAP. III. Of remembring Phrases A Phrase may be committed to memory by accommodating it to some fit subject as if this phrase were to be remembred Very much estranged from filthy affections I apply it to a Christian Souldier as to a meet subject in this manner A Christian Souldier ought to be very much estranged from all filthy and sordid affections of mind Or this example To forgoe manhood through effeminate delicacy may be fitly accommodated to Sardanapalus King of Assyria thus Sardanapalus by effeminate delicacy and luxury lost all manhood and led a Womanish life Again this example A man furnished with abundant store of Learning may be thus applyed Usher the renowned Bishop of Armagh was furnished with abundant store of good Literature and manifold Learning so that he did justly bear the prize from most â—relates of the World This manner of applying Phrases is principally necessary in learning the Elegancies of any Tongue and is very well worthy to be more frequently used in publike Schools I confess Masters do usually command their Schollars to collect phrases and elegant sentences out of their Lectures and to write their gleanings in Books not in loose Papers which is somwhat but if they did also urge them to refer every phrase by them collected to some friend or acquaintance they would by this means reap a far greater Harvest of Learning For phrases thus accommodated sink deeper and continue longer in memory CHAP. IV. Of remembring Sentences SEntences worthy of Memory are either frequently or seldom used Sentences of common use I mean such as we desire to preserve not onely in paper but in our hearts because of their singular Elegancy serious Gravity concise brevity or witty ingenuity are to be stored in a Manual every kind in a peculiar place Epigrams by themselves Anagrams by themselves so Proverbs Epitaphs Jests Riddles Observations c. by themselves This Enchiridion wherein you write such remarkable sentences ought always to be carryed about you and may therefore be called Vade mecum that you may peruse the same at leisure-hours when you are abroad not having other employment by which means Time most precious of all things will not be unprofitably spent And hereby you will keep in mind things worthy remembrance better safer sooner more certainly profitably and delightfully then by that monstrous repetition prescribed by some Authors in this Art of Memory which nevertheless cannot be effected without long study very great defatigation of the understanding pernicious damage of the memorative faculty besides a perpetual Oblivion of some Idea's occasioned by so long space of time interposed A sentence seldom used is either an interpretation of some Classick Author or a common Observation by Classick Books or Authors I mean those which are accounted Authentick by common consent of professors in every Science such are the Scriptures among Divines Decrees and Statutes among Lawyers the works of Hypocrates Galen or Paracelsus among Physicians Euclids Elements among Mathematicians c. If you meet with any memorable interpretation of a Classick Book note it down in short hand in the Margent near the Text to which
whole observing Quintilians method to learn with low voice and soft murmure whereby Memory is benefitted with the double motion of speaking and hearing This counsel seems especially appropriated to such whose minds are slippery and subject to wander starting presently aside if they be not thus restrained on the contrary fixed stable minds will experience silent Meditation the more speedy and efficacious way to imprint Notions in Memory Can. 3. Furthermore seeing a vehement and earnest application of mind is required in Meditation whereby the spirits are much exhausted you must be careful to avoid longer study then agreeth with your health least your spirits fail through too great intention of mind And beware you do not lose a moment of that little time you assign unto Meditation when you must meditate let it not be with weariness but do that willingly which you must do necessarily Can. 4. The first and last hours of the day are most apt for Meditation that is immediately before and atfer sleep Let your first Essay in Learning your task be at Evening about an hour after Supper reading over twice or thrice what you intend to commit to Memory against the next day your study being finished betake your self to your rest that your mind no other ways diverted may repose upon your Evening Meditation In the morning so soon as you have shook off drowziness and prepared your self repeat those things diligently you meditated the night before It is to no purpose to study before sleep unless in like manner you ruminate after sleep Can. 5. All that speak publickly especially Dispensers of the Word ought to make it their great care not to utter things disorderly but throughly digested by Meditation lest they be be like such Cooks as buy good meat in the Shambles but marr it in the Dressing sending it raw or half-boiled to the Table Besies if any man appear publickly either in Pulpit or otherwise before he is provided what to say he becometh timorous and the vital spirits the eies of reason have recourse tot he heart through fear whereby he is rendred much more unapt to speak then before Can. 6. Lastly which is peculiar in delivering Sermons let Speakers apply more general Doctrines to themselves jointly with the rest in Confession Petition Deprecation imprecation intercession thanksgiving or praising God as occasion is given by the Doctrines themselvs so they shall not onely remember all things better but also edifie their own consciences Nay further frequent use of this ioint-application proveth finally a Manuduction to speak with sense of Divine grace and evidence of Spirit which is the most excellent ornament of a Preacher The end of the First Book The Art of Memory The Second Book CHAP. I. Of remembring without writing HAving dispatched vulgar ways of Memory I descend to helps conducing to the same purpose without Hand-writing which is then most pleasant when we are destitute of the aid of Paper Ink or Table-Books or when by some obstacle we are debarred the free use of them This consisteth of two operations Reposition and Deposition Reposition is the manner of charging Memory with Note-worthy things herein it is not to be expected that each particular word of every sentence be retained but onely that the general sence be fastened in mind At all times when a man is about to commit any thing in custody to his Memory first let him study to drown all unnecessary thoughts in oblivion that he may perfectly intend the things he is to learn Oblivion being such a principle of Memory as Privation is of Generation and a ready remembrance most commonly proceedeth from right understanding the thing in hand therefore a man must prepare himself diligently and so unite the force of his imagination that he may as it were engrave and imprint occurrent things in his Memory Lead doth facily receive impression because it is tenacious which Quick-silver cannot admit by reason of its Fluxibility In like manner fleeting inconstant minds continually hurried into new strange cogitations is far from gathering fruit by any thing heard The method of a speech is chefly to be observed regarding seriously what is the general subject thereof Secondly the greater parts and with what Logical Arguments each part is handled the perfect Method of a speech doth much conduce to remember the whole or if the Contexture thereof be inartificial imperfect and unsatisfactory comprehending many things forcibly applied rejecting things of a like kind yet a strong Memory will retain the same by observation of the absurdities and rude Artifice of the whole Deposition is when we recollect things committed to memory and having transcribed or transacted them discharge our memories of them which is alwayes to be practised at the first opportunity Things charged in Memory by day are to be deposited at least before sleep if not sooner things charged by night are to be deposited immediately after sleep that the mind be no longer burthened then is convenient and that things negligently laid up in mind be not forgotten Writing being the faithfullest Guardian of Memorandums If in dis-burthening your Memory something charged happen to be forgotten shut your eyes that no no external obiect may divert your mind and try to recall it by importunate scrutiny which operation may be called Revocation and is an Art that by help of certain Rules teacheth the investigation of things lapsed out of memory To conclude Deposition or discharging things committed to mind is not unlike expunging writing out of table-Table-Books If therefore there be any Art of Oblivion as some affirm it may be properly referred hither So much in general now to explicate the particular species thereof CHAP. II. Of remembring by certain Verses purposely born in mind THe method of charging Memory without writing is twofold Poetical and Ideal The Poetical way of remembring is accomplished by virtue of Poetry either by Verses purposely afore-composed or ex tempore The manner of remembering by Verses already composed is when a man doth excogitate or retain remarkable things by repetition of Verses provided to that purpose Suppose an Attorney be to wait upon Judges riding the Circuits from one County to another it may be worth his labour to repeat these verses at leaving his lodging least he forget some necessary thing which we may imagine formerly framed by him to this end Scalpellum calami cornugraphiumque libelli Charta pugillares capitalia cera sigillum Sic crepide gladius cultellus pugio burssa Muccinium indusiumque monilia penula pecten Fascia cruralis cruralia dactylothece Pen-knife Quills Ink-horn Books Paper Table-Books Caps Take Wax Seal and Slippers Sword Knife and Dagger safe make Purse Handkerchiefs Shirts Rings Coat and for your own sake Comb Garters Stockins Gloves Thus a Carpenter oft employed to work abroad may ingenuously make the Tools and Instruments belonging to his Art in Verse by repetition of which on occasion he may be admonished what Tools to take along with him In