# The New Art of Memory

THE NEW
Art of Memory,
FOUNDED UPON THE PRINCIPLES
TAUGHT BY
M. GREGOR VON FEINAIGLE:
AND APPLIED TO
Chronology, History, Geography, Languages, Systematic Tables, Poetry, Prose, and Arithmetic.
TO WHICH IS ADDED,
SOME ACCOUNT OF THE PRINCIPAL SYSTEMS
OF
ARTIFICIAL MEMORY,
FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME; WITH
INSTANCES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY POWERS
OF
NATURAL MEMORY.
Illustrated by Engravings.
Third Edition,
CORRECTED AND ENLARGED.
London:
Printed by R. Edwards, Crane Court, Fleet Street,
FOR THE PROPRIETOR;
AND SOLD BY SHERWOOD, NEELY, AND JONES, PATERNOSTER-ROW.
1813.
GREGOR von FEINAIGLE.
PREFACE
to the
FIRST EDITION.
As the art which forms the subject of this volume is sufficiently discoursed on, in the introductory matter prefixed to the system contained in the present work, it remains only to give an account of the origin of this publication.
The system, here presented to the public, is that taught by M. Von Feinaigle; who, by the public exhibitions which he has given of the proficiency of some of his pupils, has excited a very general interest and curiosity as to the mnemonic art. The following pages contain, amidst various other matter, the substance of fifteen of the Professor's lectures, on the application of the art to Chronology, Geography, History, Language, Systematic Tables, and Poetry and Prose; being the whole of one course, with the exception of one lecture on Arithmetic and Algebra. This was omitted because the subject to which it relates, is so complicated in itself, as to render it ​impossible to give an intelligent account of it within the compass necessarily prescribed to this publication; and because the subject was not of such general interest or utility, as those which are here treated of.
The Editor is not aware that any apology is due to the Professor on account of this publication. The principal peculiarities of his system had found their way into pretty general circulation, by oral communication, before this work was contemplated; and the accounts which were thus circulated, like most traditions, were by no means calculated to give satisfactory or creditable notions on the subject.
The Editor attended one course of lectures, and after the example of several of his friends, took very copious notes. Finding, however, that the materials which he had thus collected, were so confused and disorderly, as to be nearly, if not wholly, useless; and being unwilling that the time he had bestowed on the subject should become entirely without profit, he applied himself to draw up these lectures in a more intelligible form, for his own use; supplying, at length, the analogies and other illustrations to which the lecturer had very cursorily and distantly alluded. In this attempt,, parum claris dare lucem, the matter swelled it​self nearly to the contents of the following passes.
Several of his friends who had attended the Lectures, were pleased to think that the subject had profited much in his hands; and that the science, thus illustrated and explained, was much more intelligible than it was in its original state of communication. They accordingly urged him to publish this improved account of the system, as well for the benefit of those persons who had actually attended courses of Lectures, as of those who would be satisfied with such an account of it as is herein contained. With this request he has complied, whether rightly or erroneously, it is not, perhaps, for him to determine. On (his subject he only wishes to add, that, however secondary and derivative this undertaking may, at first sight, appear to those who have not attended the Lectures,—they who have attended them, will be able, (the Editor is confident,) to give him ample credit for originality.
No expense has been spared in supplying tin's volume with appropriate engravings, together with the diagrams necessary to illustrate the work, and which have been chiefly furnished to him by the kindness of his friends.
​In order to render this work as complete as possible, an account has been inserted of the Principal Systems of Artificial Memory: and, accordingly, the public and private repositories of curious literature have been diligently searched for scarce books on this subject.
Some instances of the extraordinary powers of Natural Memory conclude the volume; they have been inserted from a persuasion that they will be new to many persons, and agreeable to all. In short, nothing has been omitted, which was thought capable of illustrating or giving interest to the subject; and it is hoped, nothing has been inserted, which the curious reader would wish to be suppressed.
Under these circumstances, the Editor takes leave of his readers, in full confidence, that whatever may be the success of his publication, he has at least deserved well of them, in his intentions and endeavours to promote their advancement useful knowledge.
London, August, 1812.
ADVERTISEMENT
to the
SECOND EDITION.
IF the sale of a book be any criterion of its merit, the present work must stand high in the opinion of the public, as a large impression has been disposed of, in the short space of four months. The general utility, indeed, of this 'New Art of Memory,' needed only to be known to be properly estimated and successfully practised.
The appearance of such a system as this, has produced (as might naturally be expected) many imitators. The merit of having improved upon the original plan of M. Feinaigle, does not, however, appear to belong to any of these persons; for the editor is enabled to state, without fear of refutation, that either an attendance upon M. Feinaigle's lectures, or indeed the former edition of this book, has furnished more than the outlines of those systems which were so recently taught in the metropolis. The diagrams, indeed, distributed to the pupils who attended these lectures were, evidently, copied from those of M. Feinaigle. The hieroglyphics, it is true, were changed, but the principles and the practice of the art were precisely the same.
The chief peculiarities which distinguish this edition from that which preceded it, are the following:—
​1. The editor has adopted a more convenient and connected disposition of his materials, and has given an introduction to mnemonics partly new, together with several additions and illustrations calculated to extend the knowledge of this art, and to accelerate the progress of the student. Among the additions may be named the application of the art to Arithmetic, which was not inserted in the former edition, for the reasons there stated.
2. Some new and interesting notices of books have been inserted in the account of the Principal Systems of Artificial Memory. This sketch contains notices of more than seventy works on the subject, including copious extracts from many books of great curiosity and value. A small portion of extraneous matter has also been omitted, and the whole of Lowe's Mnemonics has been introduced. This change was made for two reasons; (1.) on account of the extreme scarcity of Lowe's original tract, and (2.) because some persons, perhaps, may be inclined to practise this system, and yet be unwilling to purchase the last edition of Grey for this purpose.
3. To the account of instances of the extraordinary powers of natural memory, is appended an interesting narrative of Zerah Colburn, the young American who is so well known for his wonderful powers in extemporary calculation. This extraordinary youth seems, indeed, to rival the far-famed Jedediah Buxton, in his instantaneous, but correct, solution of the most difficult arithmetical questions.
​4. There is prefixed to the present edition, a Portrait of M. Von Feinaigle, the accuracy of which may be relied on.
Having stated the chief advantages of this edition, the editor will proceed to offer some observations upon the importance and general utility of the present New Art of Memory. And, here, he cannot refrain from strongly recommending it to the especial notice of all Tutors and Instructors of Youth. The revival of the antient mnemonics seems to have formed a new æra in the annals of education:—it must, therefore, deeply interest every one who is concerned in so important an office. Let the system be impartially examined and properly practised, and there will be no need of a herald to proclaim its merits.
The general utility of the present work, must be obvious to every one; but the peculiar advantages which it offers to the Senator, the Divine, the Barrister, the Merchant, and the Man of Business, are evident, even from a casual examination of the system. In short, what was said of Schenckel's method is equally applicable to the present. Speaking of the importance of his mnemonics to the legal man, he says, 'The Attorney who has many causes to conduct, may, by the assistance of this art, imprint them so strongly upon his memory, that he will have an answer ready for his clients, at any hour, with as much precision, as if he had just perused the whole of the papers relative to each cause. In pleading, the Barrister will not only have the evidence and reasoning of his own party at his fingers' ends, but all the grounds and refutation of his antagonist.'
Were the editor to enlarge upon the general usefulness of the 'New Art of Memory,' it would be ​necessary to name every profession and employment in life; for he is persuaded that there is not one of these, in which some benefit may not be derived from a careful and diligent practice of the principles here developed.
The purposes to which this system is applicable in the every-day occurrences of common life, it would be endless and useless to specify; the editor will, therefore, conclude in the words of Grataroli, an eminent writer on mnemonics:—
It sufficeth therefore, that we have expressed a methode or compendious waye, the whiche whosoever foloweth shall easelye (so that exercise be not lackinge) get and attayne the certeine and sure remembraunce, of manye and sundry things, as due occasion shall require : but as for the sluggish and pole, let them slugge and sleepe stille, to whome all thinges are Displeasing.'
London, January, 1813.
ADVERTISEMENT
to the
THIRD EDITION.
In presenting this third and improved edition of the 'New Art of Memory' to the public, it will be sufficient to observe, that the whole work has been carefully revised; and that several useful tables have been added, in order to facilitate the progress of the mnemonic student.
The system of M. Feinaigle has been sanctioned by some of the most eminent names in society, and is well characterized by the Rev. Peter Baines, a Professor in the College of Ampleforth in Yorkshire. "I think (says Mr. Baines) Mr. Feinaigle's system excellent, and in most cases, incapable of improvement. Many things, which, before could scarcely at all, and not without the greatest difficulty be acquired, he has rendered by his discoveries perfectly easy and accessible to the lowest capacities; and, in every branch of study, whether easy or difficult, he has considerably abridged the time of learning them, while at the same time, the labour of the student is rendered more pleasant, and his acquirements both more perfect and lasting. The ​system is not only adapted to the higher studies, but is applicable to the very first elements of learning, and is of no less use to the child than to the scholar. Sufficient of it has been experienced here to convince all the profession, that it is infinitely superior to any former mode of instruction, and that its advantages are very great indeed."
The truth of these observations seems now pretty generally acknowledged; and the time is not far distant when ample justice will be done to the merits of this useful system of memory. It is highly gratifying to hear that a Society of Gentlemen, in Dublin, have formed an establishment for the education of youth on the system of M. Feinaigle. They have taken two contiguous houses near Mountjoy-square, and they announce in their prospectus "that the emoluments arising from the Institution (save one half to the Professor for his life) are to form a fund for the promotion and extension of the object of education upon this plan; that with them there can be no consideration of profit, inasmuch as by the Deed of Trust, they can merely enjoy legal interest for the money advanced, and, that in founding a seminary under such circumstances, they have been solely influenced by a conviction, derived from personal observation, and the experience already had in the College of Ampleforth."
The Committee announced, that they would, on the first Monday in September, under the auspices of Professor Von Feinaigle, and well qualified Assistants, instructed by him, commence the education of youth, on a plan, of which the following is an outline:
Supposing the youth capable of reading and writing, and of an age not under nine years, the Pro​fessor undertakes, and the Committee do not hesitate in joining in the pledge, that in four years they shall acquire a competent and radical knowledge of the following subjects:—
1st. Of the English, Latin, Greek, French, Italian, and Spanish languages, so as to speak several, and write in all, correctly.
2ndly. Of History and Chronology, so perfect a knowledge as to connect with every important fact, antient and modern, its specific date and relation to corresponding and contemporaneous events.
3dly. Of the Mathematics, comprising Arithmetic and Algebra, and certain departments of Natural Philosophy.
4thly. Of Geography, embracing general views of the system of the world, and minute information respecting every country on the habitable globe.
5thly. Of Natural History, an acquaintance with the arrangement of plants, animals, and minerals, and their general application to the wants of civilized society.
Besides the above, there are other objects of instruction necessary to render the plan of school education complete, too numerous here to detail; suffice it to say, that youth so educated, will be qualified, if designed for the University, to pass through it with eclat: or if a degree be not required for his professional pursuits, to appear in society with the information of a gentleman.
A For information thus extensive, and acquired within a period of time so limited, the Proprietors have fixed on the lowest terms possible, consistent with the prosperity of the Institution.
As the mode of instruction is by Lecture, the same teacher can instruct 500 boys with as much ease and certainty as five.
​A public examination will be held at the seminary before Christmas next, to manifest to the public the progress made by the pupils, after which, such examination will be held quarterly.
The Managing Committee will breakfast once a week at the Institution, and one of its Members daily visit it.
London, September, 1813.
CONTENTS
"IN this work, we conceive, there is a just development of the principles of M. Feinaigle; and the author has, with great industry of research, detailed the principal systems of artificial memory, both before and after that of Mr. Grey was announced to the public." Rees' Cyclopedia, vol. xxiii. part 2, art. Mnemonica.
"This system is adapted to the meanest capacity. Besides being infinitely serviceable in the more important subjects, to which other systems have been usually confined, it can with equal facility be used, in the common transactions of ordinary life; and its application is rather a source of amusement than labour. It possesses all the advantages of the preceding methods, and as a whole is superior to any that have yet appeared." Monthly Review for May, 1813.
"The principles of the art may be considered as fairly developed in this work; the book is in itself very curious and interesting, and well worth purchasing." British Critic for August, 1813.
Something herein I once redrest,
And now again for thy behoof,
Of zeal I doe and at request,
Bothe mende and adde, fit for all proof.
Of mem'ry's use, the endless might, No wit nor language can expresse:
Apply and try both day and night,
And then this truth thou wilt confesse.J. Dee.
This work was published before January 1, 1930, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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