# Ideatypics; or, an Art of Memory/Chapter 11

TABLES, &c.
The natural points, before adverted to, will be found to give an extraordinary distinctiveness to the recollection of numerical data. We often recollect parts of a subject by recollecting the parts of the page they occupy. If this be true, (and I think no one would dispute it,) the turning of figures, which are always difficult to remember, into words indicative of an action, an object, or a quality, and associating it with a certain pointy of easy reference, and to which we have a clue, as, by mill we think of mile, &c., is indeed valuable. I have designated the points natural, because they belong to the objects, and do not partake of the usual arrangements of other Mnemonists. I have also preserved the tables with their several denominations entire. Grey and Lowe reduced their tables to one denomination, to render their systems available: under such a form, they are of little practical utility.
MEASURE of WEIGHT, in its most extended form. This Weight is used in all commercial transactions.
For which are substituted objects, or types, in their order, each having the requisite number of points, on which we may paint, draw, or write the objects, or words, as they arise, from the letters which are used instead of the figures of the above table.
OBJECTS——tun, cat, quarters, stone, lamb, ounce. The drams have the first place in all the objects of this measure. The ounces, the second place in all the objects. The rest follow in order.
We may add the troy grains to the Table thus:—The inside of each object is unoccupied, imagine, then,
| TROY GRAINS in 1 TON. | 15680000 | | (balmy roses) to be inside the Tun. |
| TROY GRAINS in 1 CWT. | 874000 | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | (nourishes), with reference to a point within the Cat: so of the rest. |
| TROY GRAINS in 1 QR. | 196000 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If there be more than two ciphers at the end of several rows of figures, you may agree to omit two or three always. |
| TROY GRAINS in 1 ST. | 98000 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If there be more than two ciphers at the end of several rows of figures, you may agree to omit two or three always. |
| TROY GRAINS in 1 LB. | 7000 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If there be more than two ciphers at the end of several rows of figures, you may agree to omit two or three always. |
Particular Weights belonging to this division.
1.—WOOL WEIGHT.
| | | cwt. | qr. | lb. | |
| 1st place. 14 (badge) | Pounds ..1 St. = | 0 | 0 | 14 | Draw a Wool-pack, with five points, for the object in this Weight. |
| 2nd place. 2 (ox) | Stones ..1 Tod = | 0 | 1 | 0 | Draw a Wool-pack, with five points, for the object in this Weight. |
| 3rd place 6.5 (milt) | Tods....1 Wey = | 1 | 2 | 14 | Draw a Wool-pack, with five points, for the object in this Weight. |
| 4th place 2 (ox) | Weys ... 1 Sack = | 3 | 1 | 0 | Draw a Wool-pack, with five points, for the object in this Weight. |
| 5th place 12 (pack) | Sacks ... 1 Last = | 39 | 0 | 0 | Draw a Wool-pack, with five points, for the object in this Weight. |
The mere writing of the figures on a board according to the arrangement of the points, will suffice if the Table contains no high numbers.
2.—TROY WEIGHT.
| 24 grs...1 dwt. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | 24 grs. (cash) . . . . . . . . 1 dwt. |
| 20 dwt..1 oz. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | 480 grs. (hedgerose) . . . 1 oz. |
| 12 oz...1 lb. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | 5760 grs. (all in a mass) . 1 lb. |
Cash is easily associated with pennyweights. Hedgerose, the size of an ounce, and sprinkled with yellow grs. All in amass, as we may suppose the grains to be in a pound.
MEASURE OF SURFACE. AN EXTENDED TABLE.
| | | | OBJECTS. | OBJECTS. | OBJECTS. |
| Point 1 | . . | Inches | Mile | (a Mill) | with 6 points |
| Point „ 2 | . . | Feet | Acre | (a Cur) | with„ 5 points„ |
| Point „ 3 | . . | Yards | Rood | (a Rod) | with„ 4 points„ |
| Point „ 4 | . . | Poles | Pole | (a Pole) | with„ 3 points„ |
| Point „ 5 | . . | Roods | Yard | (a Yard) | with„ 2 points„ |
| Point „ 6 | . . | Acres | Foot | (a Foot) | with„ 1 points |
| | Mile. | Acre. | Rood. | Poles. | Yards. | Feet. |
| Point 1. Inches.. | 4014,489,600.. | 6,272,640.. | 1,568,160.. | 39204.. | 1296.. | 144 |
| Point„ 2..Feet... | 27,878,400.. | 43,560.. | 10,890.. | 272¼. | 9.. | |
| Point„ 3..Yards.. | 3,097,600.. | 4,840.. | 1,210.. | 30¼. | 1.. | |
| Point„ 4..Poles.. | 102,400.. | 160.. | 40.. | 1.. | | |
| Point„ 5..Roods.. | 2,560.. | 4.. | 1.. | | | |
| Point„ 6..Acres.. | 640.. | 1.. | | | | |
Make the figures into words and locate them, or the objects they denote, in their order, on the several points of the types or symbols.
In the following useful Table of the cubic inches contained in the Measure for Liquids, Corn, and Dry Goods, is shewn the various phrases that can be made to aid the memory in connection with subjects, or words, that have the least tendency to produce associations.
| Cubic Inches. | 17745,500 | = Qr . . . . . | 1. Pay any one gill losses. |
| Cubic Inches. | 2218,190 | = Bush . . . | 2. Quick bear above us. |
| Cubic Inches. | 554,548 | = Peck . . | 3. A lolling lounger. |
| Cubic Inches. | 277,274 | = Gal . . . | 4. Can any one quench you. |
| Cubic Inches. | 69,318 | = Qt . . . . . | 5. Move the beer. |
| Cubic Inches. | 34,659 | = Pt . . . . . | 6. I touch my life. |
| Cubic Inches. | 8,665 | = Gill . . . | 7. I rue my meal. |
We may remember the first phrase in connection with Qr., by the idea that the greatest measure (the Qr.) should be made up when there is the smallest (the Gill) deficiency. The 2nd, by the old practice of bearing a bush above the door, to indicate the sale of wine. The 3rd, by imagining a “lounger” to be on a peck measure. The 4th refers to the unquenchable thirst of the drunkard, even if he should be supplied with gallons of ale. The 5th, to the quart pot, most frequently moved about with beer. The 6th, to the frequent calls for pints of wine, and its injury to the vital powers. The 7th, to that which is frequently the only meal of the drunkard, the gill, which he will rue having received.
| Water lbs. Av. | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | 020 = Peck (ease) | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | This and other tables, of whatever kind, may be associated with ease, according to each one’s fancy or skill. |
| Water lbs. Av. | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | 080 = Bush. (a rose) | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | This and other tables, of whatever kind, may be associated with ease, according to each one’s fancy or skill. |
| Water lbs. Av. | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | 640 = Qr. (meshes) | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | This and other tables, of whatever kind, may be associated with ease, according to each one’s fancy or skill. |
LATITUDES AND LONGITUDES of REMARKABLE PLACES.
The longitudes from the Royal Observatory at Greenwich.
The figures will always occur in pairs, except in two instances: 1st, when the longitude is above 100; 2nd, when the degrees, or minutes, are in any case less than 10. The few of the first which occur may he recollected by the association of color with the name of the town. In the second case, whenever the first of a pair is s, or any consonant that represents 0, it is of no value. In changing the phrases in italics into figures, we mark off the first four consonants for Lat. and the first two of these four for degrees.
| ATHENS | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lat. 37° 58′ N. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Tune a lyre quitting me. |
| ATHENS | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lon. 23° 46′ E. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Tune a lyre quitting me. |
The departed glory of Athens is a theme for the plaintive song of the traveller.
| BERLIN | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lat. 52° 32′ N. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | I like it equipped quick. |
| BERLIN | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lon. 13° 22′ E. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | I like it equipped quick. |
This refers to the rather deficient industry of the inhabitants, and to a coach of a particular form, a Berlin.
| BRUSSELS | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lat. 50° 51′ N. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | A loss, all passing quick. |
| BRUSSELS | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lon. 04° 22′ E. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | A loss, all passing quick. |
The King of Holland was King of Brussels; but, by a rapid political change, this city became the capital of a separate monarchy.
| CALCUTTA | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lat. 22° 35′ N. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Cock tell our hour come. |
| CALCUTTA | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lon. 88° 26′ E. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Cock tell our hour come. |
To rise at the “cock crowing” is well understood. The cock is said to be indigenous to India.
| CONSTANTINOPLE | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lat. 41° 01′ N. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Ships back reeled. |
| CONSTANTINOPLE | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lon. 28° 53′ E. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Ships back reeled. |
The Dardanelles, called the keys of Constantinople, are four castles, two of which were built by Mahommed IV. to protect the Turkish fleet from the Venetians.
| COPENHAGEN | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lat. 55° 41′ N. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | All along by pay getting. |
| COPENHAGEN | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lon. 12° 34′ E. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | All along by pay getting. |
At the Castle of Elsinore, foreign ships that trade to the Baltic must pay a small toll.
| EDINBURGH | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lat. 55° 58′ N. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Hill, hill, hill or steps. |
| EDINBURGH | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lon. 03° 10′ W. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Hill, hill, hill or steps. |
This applies to great part of Edinburgh. Arthur’s seat is 810 feet above the level of the sea.
| GREENWICH | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lat. 51° 29′ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | All happy go we. |
| GREENWICH | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lon. 00° 00′ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | All happy go we. |
Not to its fairs, but to its Park, its trees gathering the moss of hoary age, while Time’s great ocean-wave throws up beneath them myriads of sporting beings that the next wave draws back again to deep obscurity.
| LIBON | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lat. 38° 42′ N. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | A throng goes away sorry. |
| LIBON | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lon. 09° 08′ W. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | A throng goes away sorry. |
Not on account of the savage cruelty of the bull fights, but because their miscalled sport is over.
| MADRID | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lat. 40° 25′ N. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | A choice class to check. |
| MADRID | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lon. 03° 42′ W. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | A choice class to check. |
All Spain, as well as Madrid, has its society disorganised, and it feels the need of some salutary check.
| MEXICO | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lat. 19° 26′ N. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | By a foe come off a vessel. |
| MEXICO | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lon. 99° 05′ W. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | By a foe come off a vessel. |
Mexico was deprived of her barbarous glory by Cortez.
| MOSCOW | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lat. 55° 46′ N. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | All, all shamed indeed. |
| MOSCOW | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lon. 37° 33′ E. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | All, all shamed indeed. |
Connected in idea with the disastrous retreat of the French from Moscow.
| PARIS | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lat. 48° 50′ N. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Churls seek a cause. |
| PARIS | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lon. 02° 20′ E. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Churls seek a cause. |
Twice or thrice has Paris been entered by the English triumphantly; but these are bygone days, and should not lead us to dispute.
| ROME | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lat. 41° 54′ N. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Each pealing back again. |
| ROME | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lon. 12° 27′ W. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Each pealing back again. |
Accessions are being made continually to the Church of Rome.
| ST. PETERSBURG | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lat. 59° 56′ N. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Lowly meads appear. |
| ST. PETERSBURG | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Lon. 30° 18′ E. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Lowly meads appear. |
Situated in a marsh upon the Neva, it has been much distinguished, and is become an imperial residence.