CHAP. I. Of the Repositorie.

THe Art of Me­morie, so farre foorth as it de­pendeth vpon Places & Idea's, consisteth of two parts: Repo­sition, and Deposition. Repo­sition is that part, whereby things to be remembred, are layd vp in minde by their I­dea's, [Page 2] bestowed in the places of Repositories. But before I come to the maner of bestow­ing or laying vp Idea's in the places of Repositories, necessary it is that I should seuerally in­treate, first concerning Repo­sitories; secondly the places therein determined; and third­ly touching Idea's in those pla­ces bestowed.

A Repositorie is an imagi­nary house or building, the forme and fashion whereof is as followeth: Let there be sup­posed a building of the best Cane stone to stand before vs, the inside whereof is in length twelue yards, in bredth sixe yards, & in height seuen yards, and the roofe thereof flat, lea­ded aboue, and pargetted vn­derneath, hauing no wall at all [Page 3] vpon the hither side which is towards vs, but the whole house lying wide open to our view. Let there be also suppo­sed within the sayd building, a marble stage smoothe and euen, one yard high aboue the leuell of the ground, whereon we stand; extending it selfe the full length and bredth of the said building. And that all the three walls of the house (that is to say, the opposite wall, and the two side walls) are wholy lined on the inside with choice cypresse boords, plaine and smoothe, and so close ioyned, that it beareth no mention thereof to be seene, vnto a man standing vpon this side of the stage. Further­more, let there be imagined a grooue or gutter to be cut [Page 4] in the iust middle of the mar­ble stage, three inches deepe, and three inches broade, drawne from the opposite wall to the hither side of the stage, whereby it is exactly diuided into two equall parts: And that vpon the further end of the said gutter, there is erected a Corinthian or round pillar, one foote and an halfe thicke, arising vp to the roofe of the building, which almost tou­cheth the opposite wall, and deuideth it exactly into two e­quall parts; as the grooue di­uideth the stage. So that by the grooue & the pillar the whole Repositorie is parted in twaine, and consisteth of two roomes siding each other, and being each of them six yards long, and six yards broad, and six [Page 5] yards high. But that you may the better perceiue this de­scription, behold here the type and fashion of the Re­positorie, limited by the letters contained therein; whose sig­nification followeth after the Figure.

a b sheweth the length of [...] Repositorie.

a c and b d the height there­ [...]

a e and b f the height of the [...]ge.

e g h f the length & bredth [...] the stage.

c l m d the length & bredth [...] the roofe.

g i k h the length & height [...] the opposite wall.

e c i g the side wall vpon [...]r l [...]ft hand.

h k d f the side wall vpon [...]ur right hand.

g i n o the wall belonging to [...]e first roome.

c g o p the stage of the first [...]ome.

r q k h the wall of the second [...]ome.

s r h f the stage of the se­cond [Page 8] roome.

n o the pillar diuiding t [...] opposite wall.

o p the grooue wrought in the stage.

And such a fashioned Rep [...] sitorie are we to prefixe befo [...] the eyes of our mind, as oft [...] as we intend to commit thin [...] to memory, supposing o [...] selues to be right against t [...] midst thereof, and in the d [...] stance of two yards ther [...] from.

Now although euery Rep [...] sitorie which we feigne to b [...] before vs, must be of the sam [...] fashion and building; yet a [...] they to be distinguished on [...] from another, by the seueral [...] colours of their pillars. Fo [...] there are eighteene Repositori [...] in all, which are thus disti [...] guished: [Page 9] The pillar of the first [...] of gold; the pillar of the se­ [...]ond of siluer: both of them [...]ery bright and polished. The pillars of the next seuen, must be supposed to be euery of [...]hem of one entire stone smooth and shining, and thus d [...]ff [...]renced one from another. The colour of the pillar in the third Repositorie must be black; in the fourth Repositorie, blue; in the fift, red; in the sixt, yel­low; in the seuenth, greene; in in the eighth, purple; in the ninth, white: so that these first nine Repositories haue but one pillar apiece in them; the o­ther nine are supposed to haue two, standing together, in the middle of the Repositorie, close to the opposite wall; the one vpon the one side of the [Page 10] grooue, and the other vpon the other side thereof, touch­ing each other, and the oppo­site wall with their bases, di­uersified one from another, by a repetition of the nine former colours in the same order. For both the pillars in the tenth house or Repositorie, must be imagined to be of gold: both pillars in the eleuenth house, of siluer; in the twelfth house of two entire blacke stones smooth and shining; in the thirteenth of two entire blue stones: and so likewise in the rest. And thus much concer­ning the Repositories or imagi­nary houses, and how they are distinguished.

CHAP. II. Of Places.

A Place (as it is considered in this Art) is a roome [...]etermined in the Repositorie, [...] for receiuing the Idea's or [...]ormes of things thereinto. In [...]uery Repositorie are two places [...]r rooms, and no more: which reseuered each from other, by [...]he grooue and pillar, accor­ [...]ing to the manner prescribed [...] the former Chapter. For [...]l that space, which occupieth [...]he whole halfe part of the Re­ [...]ositorie vpon the left hand, is [...]ounted the first place thereof: [...]nd all that space of the other [...]alfe part of the Repositorie vp­ [...]n the right hand, is counted [Page 12] the second place. And so muc [...] concerning the places.

CHAP. III. Of Idea's in generall.

AN Idea is a visible representation of ought to b [...] remembred, bestowed by th [...] Imagination in one of th [...] places of a Repositarie, by th [...] remembrance whereof we ca [...] to mind that which was there by signified.

Euery Idea is to be accompanied with its proper circumstances, as the nature thereo [...] doth require. For as any writing, the fairer it is written the better it is read: so by ho [...] much the more liuely the Idea' [...] are set foorth, according [...] [Page 13] [...] exigence of their nature, much the sooner are they [...]ed to mind, and by them, [...] things also committed to [...]mory. Therefore to the I­ [...]'s of things moouing, the [...]e same motion is to be a­ [...]bed; and to the Idea's of [...]ngs giuing a sound, that self [...]e sound is to be attributed. [...]amples of Idea's whereun­ [...] motion is ascribed, are, an [...]ificer at worke in his shop, [...]n and women dancing, wa­ [...] running from a spout, and [...]ch like. Examples of Idea's [...]hereunto sound is giuen, are [...]ion roaring, a Faulkner lu­ [...]g, a bell ringing, a Quirister [...]ging, a noice of Musicians, [...]d the like. Finally, euery I­ [...]a ought to haue such setting [...]t, as seemeth in speciall ma­ner [Page 14] appropriated thereun [...] that it may be the better [...] prehended by the memory.

In euery Idea we haue fo [...] things to be considered. Qu [...] titie, Position, Colour, [...] Kinde. Of which foure I [...] intreate in their order.

CHAP. IIII. Concerning the Quantitie of Idea's.

AN Idea, in respect of [...] Quantitie, is either Equ [...] Augmented, or Contracted.

An Equall Idea is such, [...] whereby the thing to be [...] membred, being neither [...] great, but that it may be co [...] tained in one of the places; [...] so small, but being there [...] [...]owed, [Page 15] it may easily be seene [...] one that standeth two yards [...] this side the stage; is there­ [...]re placed in its equall and [...]e quantitie. Of which sort [...]e a chaire, a table, a bedsteed [...]rnished, a heape of graine, a [...]acke of wood, a duell fought [...]etweene two combatants, [...]nd the like.

An Idea augmented, is such, [...] whereby the thing to be re­ [...]embred being so small, as [...]eing it s [...]lfe alone bestowed [...] one of the places of the Re­ [...]sitorie, cannot be seen of him [...] at standeth two yards in this [...]de the stage, must therefore [...]e augmented by the increase [...]f the number, of that which is [...] be placed. vt Quae non pro­ [...]nt singula multa invent. As [...]r example: if the Idea to be [Page 16] bestowed, be a pearle, a peni [...] a graine of mustard seed, o [...] spider: these things are [...] themselues so small, as bei [...] disposed in one of the plac [...] of the Repositorie, they cann [...] be seene in the foremention [...] distance. Therefore for o [...] pearle I suppose a bushell [...] pearles to be heaped in t [...] middle of one of the places; [...] one pennie an heape of pen [...] new coyned; for one grai [...] of mustard-seed, a coome [...] mustard-seed in like mann [...] heaped together: for one sp [...] der, I suppose a multitude [...] spiders creeping close togeth [...] in the midst of the oppos [...] wall.

An Idea Contracted is suc [...] as whereby the thing to be r [...] membred being so great, th [...] [Page 17] [...]ānot be contained in so nar­ [...]w limits, as the place of a [...]positorie is; is therefore sup­ [...]sed to be painted in liuely [...]lours, vpon that halfe of the [...]posite wall which belongeth [...] the place wherein this Idea [...] to be bestowed. For all vi­ [...]le things in the world, [...]ough neuer so great, and ne­ [...]r so farre disterminate, may [...]ry easily be represented by a [...]cture drawne vpon the wall [...] this contracted forme. As if [...]e thing to be remembred be [...] Church, a Citie, a mountaine, [...] comet, or other prodigious [...]gne in the heauen, a field [...]ught, a fight at sea, a trium­ [...]ant passage in pomp & state, [...] hunting or hawking through [...]e spacious forrests, or any [...]her the like, whose Idea in [Page 18] the full bignesse, cannot [...] contained in a place of the R [...] positorie; All these are to be [...] foorth in a picture, occupyi [...] the one halfe of the oppos [...] wall, that in this attenuat [...] form it maybe fully expresse [...] within the bounds and limi [...] of its proper place. And [...] much concerning the Qua [...] titie of Idea's: come we ne [...] to their Position.

CHAP. V. Of the Position of Idea's.

LEt the position or situ [...] tion of euery Idea be su [...] as is most agreeable to t [...] thing signified thereby. F [...] those things which we co [...] monly hang vpon a wall, [...] [Page 19] [...]ten thereunto, are here also [...] like maner to be vsed. As if [...]e Idea be some picture of a [...]an; because it is the vse of a [...]cture to be hung vpon a wal, [...]e must therefore suppose it [...] hang vpon the opposite [...] all: if it be a Proclamation [...] Title page of a booke, that [...] is pasted vnto the wall; if it [...]e a new Pamphlet, that it is [...]stned to the wall with nailes; [...] it be a Tombe, we must fan­ [...]e it to be set vp close to the [...] all, and the streamers and [...]endants to be fastened aloft [...]nto the opposite and side wall [...]f the same roome, wherein [...]is Idea is to be placed. So the [...]hings which are wont to be [...]laced vpon a court-cupboord [...]r shelfe, are to haue like place [...]ere: as a garnish of plate, or ves­sels [Page 20] of glasse vpon a court c [...] boord; bookes or merce [...] wares bestowed vpon shelue [...] Those things which be acc [...] stomed to be vpon tables, [...] imagined here also to ha [...] place vpon a table: of whi [...] sort are a banquet, moneys to out into seuerall heapes, pla [...] ing tables, &c. Things plac [...] vpon the ground, are here lik [...] wise supposed to haue pla [...] vpon the marble stage, as a t [...] ble, chest, cradle, or any liuin [...] creature standing, sitting, g [...] ing or lying along, &c. Thin [...] which are commonly and vs [...] ally vnder ground, are here su [...] posed to be vnder the stag [...] For although they cannot b [...] seene of him that standeth o [...] this side the stage with his b [...] dily eyes, yet they are no [...] [Page 21] [...]dden from the eyes of his [...]ind, which onely are exerci­ [...]d in this Art. Examples of [...]is kind are a graue, a well, a [...]ine seller, a myne of gold, sil­ [...]er, lead, &c. Finally, the selfe­ [...] me order is to be obserued [...] the site and position of all [...]ther Idea's.

CHAP. VI. Of the Colours of Idea's.

COme we now to the third thing belonging to Idea's, which is Colour. Euery Idea [...]n what Repositorie soeuer it standeth, must haue the colour of the same Repository in whole [...]or in part attributed vnto it. As if a blacke bull be to haue the place of an Idea in any of the [Page 22] two roomes of the first Reposi­torie, the hornes thereof mu [...] be supposed to be gilded; if i [...] any place of the second Repo­sitorie, the hornes must be sup­posed to be tipt with siluer: i [...] it be placed in the third Repositorie, the proper colour there [...] being blacke already, is suffici­ent of it selfe whereby to re­member the house wherein it standeth. If he be best [...]wed in the fourth Repositorie, then le [...] him haue a garland of blue flowers about his necke; if in the fift Repositorie, a garland of Damask roses: if in the sixt, of Marygolds: if in the seuenth, a w [...]eath of Bayes; if in the eight, of Cloue Iuly-flowers; if in the ninth, of Lillies.

Furthermore, in attributing the colour of any Repositorie [Page 23] [...] an Idea therein placed, not [...]articipating it of it selfe, we [...]ust haue a care that it be ap­ [...]lied as neare as we can to that [...]art which is most spectable [...]nd conspicuous. As if the hi­ [...]ry of Ionas the Prophet be [...]ainted vpon any halfe part of [...]he opposite wall in the first [...]epositorie, although therein [...]e to be painted heauen, earth, [...]a, land, a whale, a ship with [...]ariners in it; yet because Io­ [...]as being the subiect of the hi­ [...]ory, is the most spectable part [...]f the picture, we may imagine [...]he hems of his vpper garment [...]o be of gold: as we see it vsed [...]rdinarily in pictures printed, wrought in distemper, and var­ [...]ished. So if the picture of Io­ [...]as be an Idea in the second Repositorie, the hems of his ve­sture [Page 24] may be siluered: if in the third Repositorie, we may ima­gine his vpper garment to b [...] of the colour of blacke; if i [...] the fourth, of blue; if in th [...] fift, of red, &c. And thus much concerning the attribution o [...] the colour of the Repositories to the Idea's therein contained▪ come we now to the seueral kindes of Idea's.

CHAP. VII. Of Direct Idea's.

AN Idea is simple or com­pound. A simple Idea i [...] vniforme; and is either Direc [...] or Oblique.

A Direct Idea is such, a [...] whereby a thing truly visible, or conceiued vnder a visible [Page 25] forme, is layd vp in the same forme vnder which it is con­ceiued. So a goate is the direct Idea of a goate, a peacocke of a peacocke, a doue of a doue, a Church of a Church, a booke of a booke, &c. So the Idea of any friend or acquaintance, is his true proper shape. So good and euil Angels, although they be spirits incorporeall and in­visible, yet since they are com­monly conceiued vnder visi­ble formes, they are so to be expressed. Finally, of all things visible, or conceiued vnder a visible forme the mind it selfe doth presently offer direct or right Idea's, that we shall not need to inuent any other, but to vse them which are offered vnto vs. For if any shall make a narration vnto vs of a skir­mish [Page 26] at sea, do we not present­ly suppose our selues to see be­fore the eyes of our mind, the sea ships, smoke of the gunnes discharged, & such like things as belong to a fight at sea? If any speake of mustering and training men, do we not fashion to our minds a certaine forme of a field, wherein souldiers march after their colours in a military order? Neither [...]s there ought else h [...]re prescribed, then that which nature it selfe hath taught vs, sauing that for our better taking hold vpon these naturall Ideas, we obserue an artificiall order and manner in laying them vp in minde, that we may the sooner find them. And so much for a Di­rect Idea.

CHAP. VIII. Of Relatiue Idea's.

AN oblique Idea is such, as whereby the thing to be remembred, is obliquely or in­directly signified. An oblique Idea is threefold: Relatiue, Sub­dit [...]a l. or Scriptile.

A Relatiue is a simple Idea, whereby the thing to be re­membred, is expressed by his his Correlatiue; as, first, when the cause is signified by the effect: As when Melancholy is signified by a man very sad, who hauing his armes wrea­thed vp, and his hatt pull [...]d downe in his eyes, goeth vp and downe in a discontented manner. The Spring time, by [Page 28] the greene fields, and the trees putting forth their leaues. Win­ter, by the nakednes of trees, and the lakes and riuers frozen vp.

Secondly, when the effect is signified by the cause. As if I should signifie Oppression of the poore, by a couetous miser, who is euery where ill spoken of for his violence and extortion: or Blasphemy, by a prodigi­ous blasphemous wretch well knowne vnto vs, all whose speech is stuffed with dreadfull oathes and blasphemies.

Thirdly, when the Subiect is noted by the Adiunct: As when the Imperiall dignitie is signified by a Crowne and Scepter. A wine Tauerne by an ivy bush and red lattice, &c.

Fourthly, when the Adiunct [Page 29] [...]s noted by the Subiect: As when Cold is signified by ice; Heate by fire; Light by a can­ [...]le; Affection by the heart, which is the seate of affections; Pride, by a Peacock; Gluttony [...]y an Estrich; Drunkennesse [...]y a drunken man; Impudence [...]y an harlot; Couetousnes, by [...] rich man with his bags about him, and such like.

Fiftly, when the like is put for the like: As Parallel circles (that is, circles equally distant, including one another) for the world, because the world con­sisteth of spheres, including one another, as parallell circles do. A woman holding a bro­ken pillar, for Fortitude. A vir­gin hauing her eyes couered with a vaile, holding a sword in one hand, and a paire of bal­lance [Page 30] in the other, for Iustice. An old man winged, hauing long haire in the forepart of his head, and being bald be­hind, for Time. And the like.

Si [...] [...] [...]en a sentence is expressed [...] a familiar exam­ple, whereby the truth of that sentence is manifested: as, if this sentence [ Venter mero ae­stuans despumat in libidinem: that is, The belly ouer-heated with wine, doth froath forth into lust,] should be expressed by the example of Lot, sporting with his daughters; in whose fa [...]l, this example was plainly verified.

Finally, when any thing may fitly be resembled by its cor­relatiue, it must be so resem­bled. And so much for Relatiue Idea's.

CHAP. IX. Of Subdititiall Idea's.

A Subdititiall Idea is, where­by a proper name is com­ [...]itted to memory, by some­ [...]ing placed in stead there of, wherewith it is supposed to [...] haue some agreement. This [...] done two wayes.

First, when a mans name [...]gnifieth something visible, it [...]ay be layd vp in memory by [...]hat visible thing it signifieth: As if a mans name be Smith, his name may be remēbred by [...]hinking vpon a Smith at work [...]n one of the roomes of the Repositorie, hauing forge and [...]nvile in it, as if it were a Smiths shop: if his name be [Page 32] Carpenter, by a Carpenter [...] worke: if Turner, by a Turne [...] if his name be Stone, by [...] stone: if Lu [...]onne, by a Lute an [...] a Tunne.

Secondly, a mans name m [...] be remembred by the lik [...] name giuen to another ma [...] As if a mans name be Pete [...] we may remember it by another man called Peter, or b [...] the picture of Saint Peter hun [...] vpon the opposite wall: if h [...] name be Iohnsonne, by anothe [...] man of the same name: if a w [...] mans name be Lucrese, it ma [...] be kept in mind by the pictur [...] of Lucrese: if Katharine, by th [...] picture of Saint Katharine. An [...] this may suffice for Subditia [...] Idea's.

CHAP. X. Of Scriptile Idea's.

A Scriptile Idea is, whereby the thing to be remem­ [...]red, is supposed to be written [...]n a plaine white table hanged [...]p in the midst of the opposite wall belonging to the roome wherein it is placed, the frame [...]r border whereof is of oake, very broad and chamfered. In euery Scriptile Idea, 3 things are generally required.

First, that the Table be not much bigger then will con­taine that which shall be writ­ten in it.

Secondly, that the frame or border of the Table, be of the colour of the Repository, wherin [Page 34] it standeth. As if it stand in the first Repositorie, that it be of the colour o [...] gold; if in the second Repositorie, that it be of the co­lour of siluer; if in the third, that it be black; if in the fourth, blue, &c.

Thirdly, that the letters con­tained in the Scriptile Idea, be all of such bigness [...], as that they may plainly be read by him that standeth on this side of the Repositorie; like vnto the wri­tings which we see in Chur­ches. And thus much fo [...] that which is generally required in all Scriptile Idea's. Let vs now see, what is further to be re­quired in the seuerall kinds of them.

There are foure kindes of Scriptile Idea's: A single word, a Quotation, a Phrase, and [Page 35] [...] Sentence.

A single word and quota­ [...]ion, must be written in a ta­ [...]let one foote and an halfe [...]road, and a foote high; and [...]heir first letter must be a great Romane capitall letter of ex­ [...]raordinary bignesse aboue the [...]est, and the transcendencies of [...]he small letters also, if there be any must be drawne much [...]igher or lower then is vsuall [...]n common writing. For by [...]his meanes they are the more easily attracted by the visuall facultie, and transferred to the memory. By the transcenden­cies of the smal letters, I meane the vpper and lower parts of those letters, which exceed the parallell lines betweene which we write. For whensoeuer we write, we write, as it were, be­tween [Page 36] two lines vnderstood, though not expressed. And of the small letters, some are writ­ten wholy between the lines, as these, a c e m n o r s u v w, which for distinction sake may be called Interlineals, because they are written between the lines. All other small letters are extended further then the lines, whereof they are called Tran­scendents. And of these, some are extended aboue the vpper line, as these, b d h i k l t: some beneath the lower line, as these, g p q x y z. Some both aboue the vpper line and beneath the neather line, as these, f j s. As to giue examples in single words: the word Canaan hath no transcendents in it; Naboth hath three, which extend a­boue the vpper line, b t and h. [Page 37] Spagyrus three, which are [...]rawne beneath the neather [...]ne, p g and y. Iosaphat hath [...]hree transcendēces aboue the [...]pper line, in the letters s h and [...] and two beneath the lower [...]ne, in the letters s and p.

When therefore we haue [...]ancied a single word to be [...]ritten in a tablet hanging [...]pon the opposite wall, we must apply our mind thereun­ [...]o impensiuely to consider it, [...]nd especially the length of it, [...]he first letter, and the transcen­ [...]encies of the small letters if [...]here be any, till by these con­ [...]ideratiōs the word make some [...]mpression of it selfe in our [...]inds. That, whereas a word [...]arely written, is but feeble of [...] selfe to stir vp memory, yet [...]y these considerations and [Page 38] stay made in bestowing it, [...] may worke some deeper impression in our memories.

A Quotation must be written after the common maner thus, 2. Chron. 9.6. Math. 5.8. And besides the consideratio [...] of the first letter, and the tra [...] scendences of the small letters if there be any in it, we mus [...] obserue also the numbers o [...] the Chapter and verse, but specially of the Chapter; whic [...] will be very easie to commi [...] to mind, in regard of thei [...] quantitie. For things of quan­tity, next things visible, are be [...] remembred.

A phrase and a short sentence of one line in length must be supposed to be written in a table three foot broa [...] and one foote high, and th [...] [Page 39] [...]hiefe word therein, which is [...] be accounted, that which [...]ost expresseth the subiect [...]ereof, (whether it stand in [...]e beginning, middle or end) [...] to be written after the man­ [...]er of words written alone; [...]hat is, the first letter to be a [...]eat Romane capitall letter, [...]nd the transcendencies of the [...]all letters therein very large.) [...]nd when we haue once fan­ [...]ed a phrase or short sentence [...] be written in the table, we [...]ust apply our selues to con­ [...]der the length of this whole [...]criptile Idea, specially the [...]hiefe word therein, and what [...]ace it hath in the writing, [...] whether in the beginning, [...]iddle or end:) for by these [...]onsiderations vsed in the Re­ [...]osition of Scriptile Idea's, [Page 40] they are the better remem­bred.

If a Scriptile Idea be a lon [...] sentence, which cannot be co [...] tained in a line, then let th [...] table be imagined to be bro [...] der or deeper, as the length [...] the Idea doth require. An [...] let the forme of writing, whic [...] euery long Idea hath, be suc [...] as may most plainly set foot [...] what kind of sentence it do [...] expresse. Therefore Distrib [...] tions must be expressed by th [...] parts drawne to their whol [...] with braces in this manner. [Page 41]

• The feasts of the Iewes be­sides the Sabbaths, were ei­ther
  • More so­lemne: to wit,
    • The Passe­ouer.
    • Pentecost.
    • The feast of Ta­berna­cles.
  • Lesse so­lemne: to wit,
    • The feasts of their new Moons.
    • The feast of blow­ing Trū ­pets.
    • The feast of Ex­piation.

So Syllogismes are to be di­stinguished into their Propo­sition, Assumption and Con­clusion, as: [Page 42]

• If the first matter of all cor­poreall creatures be capable of a­ny forme; then though the bodies of all men were, dissolued into their first matter, they may be restored to their proper forme a­gaine.
• But the first matter of all cor­poreall creatures is capable of any forme: according to that Phi­losophicall Axiome, Materia prima est omnium formarum sus­ceptibilis.
• Therefore though the bodies of all men were dissolued into their first matter, they may be restored to their proper forme a­gaine.

So Obiections with their Answers, are to be distinguish­ed in this maner.

CHAP. XI. Of compound Idea's.

HAuing now gone tho­rough with all the simple Idea's, I come to Idea' [...] that are compounded. A com­pound Idea, is compounde [...] of two simple Idea's; whereof the one is alwayes a Scriptil [...] Idea, and the other is either [Page 47] [...] Direct Idea, or a Relatiue. A compound Idea therefore is of two sorts.

The first kind of compound [...]dea's, is of them which con­sist partly of a Direct Idea, [...]artly of a Scriptile. Of this [...]ort are, an history painted in [...] faire table, with verses vnder­ [...]ath explaining it; a libell or Epigramme, made vpon some [...]hing done, supposed to be written in a paper, and pasted vpon the opposite wall, and [...]he thing done expressed in ac­ [...]ion vpon the stage; An armed Knight bearing his Scutcheon [...]nd imprese written therein; and the like.

The second kind of com­ [...]ound Idea's, is of them which consist partly of a Relatiue I­dea, and partly of a Scriptile. [Page 48] Of this sort are innumerable examples in Emblemes, writ­ten by Beza, Alciat, Peacham, and others. For in all Em­blemes, the picture occupying the vpper part of the table, is [...] Relatiue Idea; and that which is written vnderneath, a Scrip­tile. And thus much for com­pound Ideas, and so concer­ning all the seuerall kinde [...] of Idea's.

CHAP. XII. Of the choosing Idea's.

IT is meet in the next place, to giue such rules, whereby we may know at the first, with what Idea euery thing that is to be remembred, must be ex­pressed. Touching which, these [Page 49] six Rules following giue infal­ [...]ible and certaine direction.

Rule 1. All histories, things done, fables, common busines­ses, finally whatsoeuer is visi­ble or conceiued vnder a visi­ble forme, and nor illustrated by ought written, ought to be [...]ayd vp in memory, by a Di­ [...]ect Idea in equall quantitie, greater or lesse, as the nature of the Idea requireth.

Rule 2. All histories, things done, fables, morals, and the [...]ke, explaned by verses or o­ther writing: as also all Epi­grams, Epitaphs, Anagrams, [...]mpreses, and libels, are to be expressed by an Idea com­pounded of a Direct Idea and a Scriptile.

Rule 3. All Emblemes and sentences exemplified by some [Page 50] notable instance, are to be ex­pressed by a compound Idea, consisting of a Relatiue and Scriptile Idea.

Rule 4. All Charact [...]rs, so­litary letters, bare numbers, and quotations, are to be layd vp by a Scriptile Idea.

Rule 5. All single words and proper names, expressible by a Subditiall Idea, ought so to be expressed.

Rule 6. All sentences, phra­ses, words or names which can not presently be expressed by a Direct, a Relatiue, a Subditi­tiall, or a compound Idea, ought to be expressed by a Scriptile Idea. And this for the choice of Idea's shall suffice.

CHAP. XIII. Of the maner of bestowing Idea's in their places.

HItherunto I haue intrea­ted concerning Reposito­ries, Places and Idea's seuerally. Now I come to the maner of bestowing Ideas in the places of Repositories. Wherein these rules following are to be ob­serued.

Rule 1. Euery Idea is to be placed in order: that is to say, that which commeth first to mind, in the first place of the first Repositorie: That which commeth next to mind, in the second place of the first Repo­sitorie; The third Idea in the first place of the second Reposi­torie. [Page 52] The fourth, in the second place thereof. The fift, in the first place of the third Reposito­rie. The sixt, in the second. And so forth in the rest of the Repositories, how many soeuer they be: alwayes prouided, there be but one Idea assigned to one place.

Rule 2. Let due quantitie, position, and the colour of the Repositorie be rightly attribu­ted to euery Idea, and through­ly obserued and marked, as be­longing thereunto. For it can not well be told, how much help and furtherance these 3 attributions, specially the assig­ning of the colour of the Repo­sitorie to euery Idea, do bring to a deep imprinting in the me­mory, as well as the Idea's thē ­selues, as also the order where­in [Page 53] they stand. For by this meanes the mind, when it co­meth to repeate ouer the I­dea's, hath one thing certainly knowne to belong to euery Idea to worke vpon: that is to say, the colour of the Reposito­rie, which in one respect or o­ther he knoweth to be in the Idea.

Rule 3. After the second Idea of any Repositorie is be­stowed in its proper place, let it be considered, whether by some proper fiction it may haue some fit connexion with the former Idea, standing in the same Repositorie, in respect of the action thereof, in some kind of maner affecting the former. As for example: ima­gine that the Idea placed in the first room of the Repositorie, be [Page 54] an old man sleeping in a chair [...] by the fire side; and that the Idea in the second roome o [...] the same Repositorie, be a black S [...]ith or Farriar giuing an [...] horse a drench: I fayn therfore, that the horse struggling and bounding vp with his fore feete, doth awake the old man sitting by the fire in the former roome. And this relation is, as it were, a knitting or chaining of this Idea with the former: so that if we remember one of them, we cannot lightly be forgetfull of the other. If a fit relatiō be not presently found, by transferring the action of the latter vnto the former; then let there be fought some other agreement, which the latter hath with the former: either in respect they do both concerne [Page 55] [...]he same subiect, (as when the [...]ubiect of them both is con­cerning warre, peace, iustice, [...]ne, patience &c.) or second­ [...]y, in respect they are both I­dea's of the same kind, (as when [...]oth of them are direct Idea's, [...]oth Relatiues, both Subditi­ [...]iall, both Scriptiles, or both compound Idea's.) And if they agree neither in the sub­iect, nor in the kind of Idea, then we are to fasten vpon that relation, which they may haue in respect of their situation or position, by considering their position to be like, if it be like; (as when both Idea's are placed vpon the stage, both vpon a table, both vpon the opposite wall, &c.) or different if they be of a different situation, (as when one hath place vpon the [Page 56] stage, and the other vpon the wall:) for euen by this consi­deration, both Idea's are the better remembred.

Rule 4. When the latter Idea of any Repositorie is bestowed, we must repeate in our mind (if time will giue vs leaue) all the former Idea's of the other houses. For as a scholler by of­ten reading ouer his lesson, getteth it without booke: so by often repeating these Idea's in our mind, we shall the better retaine them.

Rule 5. We must take hee [...] that we ouercharge not our memory with a multitude of Idea's: for as it is hurtfull to loade the stomack with more meat then it can digest at once; so is it also vnprofitable to oppresse the memory with too [Page 57] [...]eat a multitude of Ideas. Let [...]ch obseruations therefore [...]sse as are common and tri­all, and let vs commit such [...]ly to memory, as are indeed [...]emorable. The number of [...]ings that may be committed [...] once vnto a mans memory [...] this Art, are six and thirty, [...]hich are abundantly suffici­ [...]t for the memory to be char­ [...]ed withall at once, and more [...]y many peraduenture then [...]e shall haue occasion at any [...]me to vse. And so much con­ [...]erning the choice of Ideas, [...]nd bestowing them in their [...]laces.

CHAP. XIIII. Concerning the practise of th [...] Art of Memorie.

IT remaineth that now at [...] I should illustrate all the f [...] mer precepts of this Art by [...] examples, that the vse by t [...] practise thereof may be t [...] better seene. I will therefo [...] shew the vse thereof: first [...] remembring businesses; [...] condly in remembring obse [...] uations.

First therefore concernin [...] businesses. Suppose that a ma [...] riding alone towards a Fay [...] kept in some market Town for some especiall business [...] and that as he is vpon his iou [...] ney, diuers other businesse [Page 59] come into his mind there to [...] done; he must then bestow [...]m, and lay them vp in order [...] their places by their Idea's, [...]hey come to mind. As for [...]mple.

The first businesse he thinks [...]on, is to enquire the price [...]seed wheat in the market. [...] him therefore suppose in [...] first place or roome of the [...] Repositorie, that he seeth [...]ers men standing together [...]h sacks of corne, that it may [...]y some face of a corne mar­ [...]; and that on the nearer side the stage, he seeth a country [...]n clad in russet, with a paire [...] high shooes on, powring [...]eate out of a sacke into a [...] shell, the eares or handles [...]ereof are of pure gold; that [...] this supposition the Idea [Page 60] may haue the colour of the [...] positorie which is gold, attrib [...] ted vnto it; according to t [...] rule of the sixt Chapter.

The second businesse is [...] procure mowers to cut do [...] medow grasse. Let theref [...] be supposed in the seco [...] place of the first Repositorie, or foure husbandly men to [...] whetting their sithes, the bla [...] whereof are of gold, agreeab [...] to the colour of the Repos [...] rie; and that the sound also whetting their sithes is perfe [...] ly heard. The relation wh [...] this Idea hath vnto the form [...] is in respect of situation: [...] cause both Idea's are pla [...] vpon the stage of the first [...] positorie.

The third businesse is, to [...] quire out one whose name [...] [Page 61] Fletcher, dwelling in that owne, and vnknowne vnto [...]im. Let him therefore fancy [...]hat the first part of the second Repositorie is turned, as it were, [...]nto a Fletchers shop, wherein [...]he Fletcher standeth close to [...]is stall, hauing a great box of siluer arrow heads by him, and [...]hat he is busied in heading of [...]rrowes. The fiction of the ar­ [...]ow heads to be of siluer, ser­ [...]eth to attribute the colour of the Repositorie to the I­dea.

The fourth businesse is to [...]uy pepper. For the remem­ [...]rance of this, the second place of the second Repositorie, must be supposed to be changed in­to the form of a Grocers shop. And that the opposite wall is set forth with a nest of boxes, [Page 62] whereupon the names of spi­ces are written, according to the common custome of Gro­cers shops, and the side wal [...] also furnished with Grocery ware: and that two foote o [...] this side the opposite wall [...] there is a Counter or a shew-boord and the Grocer standing vpon the further side of it, ha­uing a blue apron before him, is weighing of pepper in a pair [...] of ballance, the scales whereo [...] are siluer, (as is the pillar o [...] this Repositorie.) The relation of this Idea to the former, con­sisteth in this, that both are shops: The first containing things saleable, that are prepa­red for mens destruction; and this, such things as whose vse serueth for mens preserua­tion.

The fift businesse is to speak with a Councellor. Let that Councellor then be imagined to sit in a blacke gowne lined with veluet, in a chaire in the middest of the first place of [...]he third Repositorie, and to [...]e turning ouer a booke of some mans case, which he hath [...]n his hand. Here needeth no [...]ttribution of colour, since the Councellors gowne is blacke of it selfe, which is the proper colour of this Repository, whose pillar is of ieat.

The sixt businesse is to buy [...] yard of black veluet. Where­fore the second roome of the [...]hird Repositorie must be trans­ [...]ormed, as it were, into a Mer­ [...]ers shop, and vpon the shew-boord there must be supposed [...]o lie a piece of blacke veluet [Page 64] open, the Mercer being on the other side thereof praising an [...] commending it. This Idea hath also of it selfe the colour of the Repositorie, as the former had▪ and may be referred vnto it by this imagination, that vel­uet (which is the subiect o [...] this Idea) is also the facing o [...] the Lawyers gowne, which sit­teth in the former roome.

But I shall not need to pro­ceed any further in giuing ex­amples for remembrance o [...] businesses, since their Idea' [...] for the most part are D [...]rect and such as nature it self [...] offers to our mind: I wil there­fore now proceed to giue ex­amples of Obseruations to b [...] remembred, and shew how their Idea's are to be bestowe [...] in the Repositories following.

CHAP. XV. Of the Anomaly of Reposition.

THere is but one Anomaly or irregularitie in laying vp Idea's: that is to say, when in stead of a fained Repository; a true place really seene with our eyes is vsed, This Anomaly is admitted vpon two occasi­ons offered.

First, when the thing it selfe is bestowed really in some place, to be, as it were, the me­moriall Idea of it selfe. As if [Page 94] a scholler sitting in his stody, lighteth vpon a booke, one of whose sheets is sowne out of order, and purposeth to haue it that day mended; let him lay it downe then at the doore of his study, that when he go­eth forth, he may by the sight thereof be put in mind to take it with him, and so to put it forth to mending.

Secondly, when presently after we haue layd vp the Idea in our mind, we must put it out againe. As for example: if a man be talking with a rich man, and whiles he is in speech with him, it commeth into his mind, to speake vnto him in the behalfe of a poore neigh­bour of his, the rich mans tenant: let him then suppose that neighbour of his to be [Page 95] there present, standing or sit­ting in some place, which his eye hath designed, and that he standeth there still in sight, till he be entred into talke concer­ning him. Or, if againe before he part from him, it commeth into his mind to buy wood of him; and that because they are yet still in sad talke vpon other matters, time serueth him not to speake of it; let him then imagine himselfe to see a small stacke or pile of wood, in some certaine place which he designeth with his eyes, and keepe still in mind what Idea he hath there placed, that he may speake of it when he seeth his time.

CHAP. XVI. Of Deposition.

HItherunto I haue spoken onely of the first part of the Art of Memory, called Reposition: it remaineth to speake somewhat concerning the second part, called Depo­sition.

Deposition is, whereby things before committed to memory, are called to minde againe, and either committed to writing, or otherwise dis­patched, that so it may be put out of our mind: and the me­moriall places after such de­position of the Idea's being left emptie, may be the fitter to receiue new Idea's into them.

This deposition or putting things out of mind, must be vndertaken as soone as con­ueniently we can; that the minde may not be charged with the burthen of them longer then needs must; and that we may the sooner call them to mind, seeing they were but a little before layd vp in our remembrance. But if it falleth out, that when we go about to call to mind any thing that was before commit­ted to memory, the Idea thereof being more negligently layd vp, appeareth not; then we must assay to call it to minde, by following this course.

First, it is knowne for cer­taintie, that euery Idea which lyeth hid, hath in some part the colour of the Repositorie [Page 98] attributed vnto it; we must therefore first enquire, in what maner the colour of the Repo­sitorie was ascribed vnto it. For by this very consideration commonly all Idea's that are obscure, are brought forth to light.

Secondly, if the Idea will not by this meanes be called to mind, then next we must trie, whether we can bring it into remembrance, by the re­lation which it had vnto the other Idea placed in the same Repositorie, in respect of the quantitie, situation, subiect, kind, or of the action of the latter Idea transferred vnto the former. For one Idea of the Repositorie being certainely knowne, will not suffer the other to lie hidden, but by the [Page 99] mutuall relation of them one to another (whereby they are as it were chained together) it shall be compelled to come forth, except the Reposition hath beene too slothfull.

Thirdly, if neither by this meanes, we can bring the Idea to remembrance, we must be­thinke vs of what kind it was, (that is, whether it were a di­rect Idea, a Relatiue, Subditi­tiall, or compound Idea,) or in what quantitie it was layd vp, (that is, in an equall, aug­mented, or contracted quanti­tie,) or what position or situa­tion it had, (that is, whether it was placed vpon the wall, vpon a table, vpon a cup­boord or shelfe, vpon the stage, or vnderneath it:) or lastly, whether it had any motion [Page 100] or sound ascribed vnto it. For by such questions the Idea is often found out.

Fourthly, if we know, that the Idea which we seeke, was indeed a Scriptile Idea; but what the writing it selfe was, we haue forgotten: then we must search it out, by bethink­ing vs of the bignesse of the table, whether it were one foote and an halfe broade, for three foote broade, or of a bigger size, that hereby we may know, whether it were the Idea of a single word, Quotation, Phrase, short Sen­tence or long. If it be found to be a long sentence, then we are to examine the fashion and manner of writing it; that so we may come to know, what kinde of sentence it was that [Page 101] we seeke for; as that it was a Distribution, a Syllogisme, the [...]nswer of some obiection, a [...]imilitude, or other kind of [...]entence, distinguishable by [...]he parts thereof. Now if by [...]his meanes we find what kind of Scriptile Idea that was which now lyeth hid, as that [...]t was a Quotation, short sen­ [...]ence, Syllogisme, similitude, &c. but yet we know not in particular any word thereof; [...]hen we must seeke out the [...]hiefe word of the Idea, by [...]alling to minde, if we can, [...]he first letter thereof; which [...]s to be found out by repea­ [...]ing the Alphabet in order, [...]nd well expending and con­sidering what letter ou [...] mind will fasten vpon. For it will certainly fasten vpon the right [Page 102] letter, if a blameable reposition hath not gone before. Now when we haue found out the first letter, then we must apply the other letters of the Alpha­bet that will follow that better thereunto, to find what is the second letter; and when we haue the two first letters, it is an easie matter by the length of the word, the transcendencies therein, and the two first letters, to finde out the whole first word, and thereby to come to the knowledge of the sentence.

To conclude, if by none of these meanes you can find out the Idea which you seeke for, let it passe, and trouble not your selfe any further a­bout the search of it. For if you reade or heare the same [Page 103] word spoken by any the same day, or the next day after, it is very likely that the whole sentence will come then to memorie. For as a booke, which a man hath negligently bestowed in his studie, is not peraduenture found when he [...]eeketh it, though he remoue [...]he most of his bookes in his [...]tudie; when notwithstanding [...]fterwards, taking foorth the [...]ooke next it, he findeth that [...]lso which before was missing: [...]o sometimes it commeth to [...]asse, that a sentence which [...]ath beene carelesly commit­ [...]ed to memorie, cannot be [...]ound when it is sought for; [...]hich notwithstanding when [...]e notion lying next vn­ [...]o it in the store-house of the [...]emorie is called foorth, it [Page 104] selfe also will come to mind therewith.