NOVUM ORGANUM 171 



something that strikes the sense (the principal point of 

 artificial memory), assists the memory. Others again offer 

 another species, namely, whatever excites an impression 

 by any powerful passion, as fear, shame, wonder, delight, 

 assists the memory. Other instances will afford another 

 species: thus those impressions remain most fixed in the 

 memory which are taken from the mind when clear and 

 least occupied by preceding or succeeding notions, such as 

 the things we learn in childhood, or imagine before sleep, 

 and the first time of any circumstance happening. Other 

 instances afford the following species: namely, that a mul 

 titude of circumstances or handles assist the memory, such 

 as writing in paragraphs, . reading aloud, or recitation. 

 Lastly, other instances afford still another species: thus 

 the things we anticipate, and which rouse our attention, 

 are more easily remembered than transient events; as if 

 you read any work twenty times over, you will not learn 

 it by heart so readily as if you were to read it but ten 

 times, trying each time to repeat it, and when your memory 

 fails you looking into the book. There are, therefore, six 

 lesser forms, as it were, of things which assist the memory: 

 namely 1, the separation of infinity; 2, the connection of 

 the mind with the senses; 3, the impression in strong 

 passion; 4, the impression on the mind when pure; 5, the 

 multitude of handles; 6, anticipation. 



Again, for example s sake, let the required nature be 

 taste or the power of tasting. The following instances are 

 constitutive: 1. Those who do not smell, but are deprived 

 by nature of that sense, do not perceive or distinguish rancid 

 or putrid food by their taste, nor garlic from roses, and the 

 like. 2. Again, those whose nostrils are obstructed by 



accident (such as a cold) do not distinguish any putrid or 



SCIENCE Vol. iJ2 8 



