# The New Mnemonical Chart and Guide to the Art of Memory/Definition of the Principles of Memory

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LETTER I.
DEFINITION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF MEMORY.
1. Memory, defined as the storehouse of knowledge, is the repository of our ideas. Thus we say:—I remember it; that is, my mind retains the idea.
2. Reflection—the seeking after or re-collecting of ideas—is the mind working in its own repository. Thus we say:—I do not remember it just now, but will think (i. e. reflect) about it.
3. Perception—the observing of objects or ideas by sensible distinction-is the mind observing and gathering in more notions. Thus we say:—I remember that scenery and observed (i. e. perceived) the fine old ruined castle in the distance.
4. Notion—the idea of anything—is conveyed to the mind either by seeing a real object; or, an artificial object; or, through the medium of drawing, speaking, or writing. As:—I see a ship; the model of a church; the drawing of a ship: or, he spoke of a church; I read about a ship.
5. Here, then, we observe, how ideas are conveyed to, and act upon, the mind, causing either pleasing or painful sensations, and giving rise to familiar or unfamiliar notions—this we call the principle of suggestion. Thus the ship will suggest painful ideas of a storm at sea; or, the pleasing remembrance of a fine voyage.
6. Letters or Words—the expressions of our ideas—if not familiar are made familiar by the principle of suggestion. Thus:—for Bayonne, say Bayonet; for k t n, say kitten; or, what familiar word is like Elba?—elbow.
7. To retain or remember new notions or words, we adopt the principle of association: that is, the joining of new notions to other familiar notions already fixed in the mind. Thus:—to Ship join Bayonne and k t n, we say, the ship's boy with a bayonet killed the kitten.
8. The Mnemonic Chart contains one hundred illustrated objects, to ​which the new notions or words are connected by the principles of suggestion and association. At first these principles may appear strange, arbitrary, or even ludicrous: but the diligent mind will soon experience the advantages of determined perseverance. The principles laid down in the Chart require to be well understood, in order to proceed hereafter with rapidity and certainty.
9. The Illustrated objects, or pictures—selected from very familiar things, of which individuals generally have some knowledge—are arranged, localised, and familiarised by my improved method.
10. The Arrangement—or use of ten rooms belonging to one house, by laying down a plan upon a ground floor—consists of one plan in ten parts, divided into 100 places, and subdivided into a thousand divisions. Thus one glance of the eye instantly directs the mind to any one division upon the Chart.
11. The Localisation—or relative position of each division to each place, and of each place to each room—combines in a single Chart a perfect arithmetical arrangement of localisation.
12. The Familiarisation—or use of consonant indicators before the name of every suggested or illustrated object—enables the mind instantly to fix upon any room, place, or division, and repeat its name. Also—by the principle of association—therewith to repeat any figures, words, dates, lines, or sentences committed to memory.
13. The External Method of Mnemonics—as I have named the illustrated Chart, combined with the order of arrangement, localisation, and familiarisation—requires less attention than other systems, in which internal or mental theories abound. The shelves fixed in a library, shop, or warehouse, are not more familiar to an active person, than are the 1000 divisions of the Chart, which form complete sets of shelves in the imaginary depository of the mind. Here we provide a place for every idea, notion, or thing, and by practice soon arrange everything in its proper place.