212 ADVANCEMENT OP LEARNINa. [BOOK V. 



for the memory, and the doctrine of the memory itself The 

 heljo for the memory is writing : and we must observe, that 

 the memory, without this assistance, is unequal to things of 

 length and accuracy, and ought not otherwise to be trusted. 

 And this holds particularly in inductive philosophy, and in 

 the interpretation of nature ; for one might as well under- 

 take to make an almanack by the memory, without writing, 

 as to interpret nature by bare contemplation. Scarce any- 

 thing can be more useful in the ancient and popular sciences 

 than a true and solid help for the memory, that is, a just 

 and learned digest of common-places. Some, indeed, con- 

 demn this method as prejudicial to erudition, hindering the 

 course of reading, and rendering the memory indolent ; but 

 as it is a wrong procedure in the sciences to be over- hasty 

 and quick, we judge it is of great service in studies, imless a 

 man be solid, and completely instructed, to bestow diligence 

 And labour in setting down common-places ; as it affords 

 matter to invention, and collects and strengthens the judg- 

 ment. But among all the methods and common-place books 

 we have hitherto seen, there is not one of value ;^ as savouring 

 of the school rather than the world, and using rather vulgar 

 and pedantical divisions than such as any way penetrate 

 things. 



And for the memory itself, it seems hitherto to have been 

 negligently and superficially inquired into. There is, indeed, 

 some art of memory extant ; but I know that much better 

 precepts for confirming and enlarging the memory may be 

 had than this art contains, and that a better practice of the 

 art itself may be formed than what is at present received. 

 And I doubt not, if any one were disposed to make an osten- 

 tatious show of this art, that many surprising things might be 

 performed by it ; and yet, as now managed, it is but barren 

 and useless. We do not, however, pretend that it spoils or 

 surcharges the natural memory, which is the common objec- 

 tion, but that it is not dexterously applied for assisting the 

 memory in real business, and serious affairs. But this turn, 



■ Upon the subject of common-place, consult Morhof's " Polyhistor," 

 torn. i. lib. i. cap. 21, de Locorum Communium Scriptoribus ; Mr, 

 Locke's common-place, in his "Discourse of the Conduct of the XJndei* 

 itanding;" and Julian's "Emploi du Temps." Shaw. 



