The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-05-15

-.,,.. =, hilarious Transcription, though
ABSOLUTELY necessary In an age, wnen NV.
rary productions, being ah 10 .,an naS,,a,,,
were very rare and costly, wou,u urau"am ss
decline and die out when Tue prln.hs'p,ess
had made books much cheaper anu % w
accessible. The reverse was tue case. ns
scholars who assisted IN tue Ie,'sa, W
,esr,,sno cufstripped their classical prede-
"assnrs in the zeal with which they betook
themselves to the filing up OF 'nc'i P'"u''
OTIS commonplace tones. ,
In the enhancement OF Learning,
ord Racon writes: HFor the disposition
and colloestiop OF that knowledge when we
nreserye IN writing, Il consistent IN eooo
docsr al rommonplaces; wherein aill noI
iooorant Of the prejudice imputed 10 tue
nae of commonplace-books, rs causing re-
tardation Of reading, and some sloth or re-
laxation OF memory. But because II Is OUT
a counterfeit thing In knowledges to ne ior-
ward and pregnant, except man be deep
and FUN. hold the entry Of commonplace
70 be matter Of great use and essence IN
studytag, rs that which assureth copIe lthat
is. copiousness1 OF invention. and contract
eth judgement to strength"
1t has been said that the practice OF ex-
tracing has tendency 10 cause torpidi'y
OF recollection; for, say the oblectors,
person would not have so great care 10 re-
tain fact in his memory il he were aware
that he could find 1t in his notebook. There
ia a show OF reason in this objection; Dun IL
can apply only to those who make extracts
from the mere love OF scribbling; certainly
not 10 those who make proper use OF tbeir
eycerptn with the design OF improving and
refreshing the memory. For this purpose tue
notes should be frequently reperused; ana
by this means IL cannot be denied tDat
MANY facts may be preserved winch wouid
otherwise have entirely faded from the
memory. AS matter Of fact, many OF
those scholars whose powers OF memory
have been developed TO a remarkable de-
gree have been most assiduous In regularly
posting up their cOmmOnplace-bo Inc
historian of the "Decline and FAN OF The
Roman Empire" has indeed expressed an
opinion that what is read twice Is re-
tanned better than what Is once transcribed.
Among other eminent men OF modern
times who have kept COMMUNICATIONS
may be mentioned Bishop Jewell, DR..
Dome, Milton, LeibnitZ, Locke, and Count
Joseph de Maisire. Robert Southey was an
incessant maker OF notes, and selections
from his commonplace-books have been
published in four thick quarto volumes.
Benjamin Franklin commeuds the practice
when he says: al would advise you 10
read with pen in your hand. and enter IN
book short notes Of what you lind that
Is curious or that may be useiul
for this will be the best method OF
imprnting such particulars on your men,
DRY, where they will be ready either for
practice on some future occasion, II they
are matters Of utility; or at least to adorn
and improve your conversation, If iheY are
rather points of curiosity" Finally, Du-
gald Stewart remarks: "What improve
ments in science might we not flatter our
selves with the hopes OF accomplishing Lad
we only activity and industry to treasure
up every plausible hint that occurs to US.
Hardly day passes when many such do
not occur to ourselves, or are suggested by
Others; and detached and insulated as they
may appear at present, some OF them may,
perhaps, afterward, at the distance OF Years,
furnish the keystone OF an important sys-
tenn"
1t must not be supposed that erudite
scholars and antiquaries were the only class
OF men who kept nplace-books. The
purveyOrs OF light literature did not dis
dain this useful aid TO study. Butler made
large collections before he began bis Hudi-
bras, and Addison filed several folio VOL
umes before he venturod TO undertake the
task of writing the Spectator. Again,
writer in the Tattier says: 81 turned TO my
commonplace book and found his case I'm.
der the word Coquette." Mr.. George Angus
tus Sala, one of the most brilliant contribu-
tors to the light literature of our own day,
has filled with his marvellous minute hanC-
writing a vast number OF elaborate common
pace-books. The example of Mr.. Sala,
whose published works are 80 voluminOus,
and who has spent considerable part OF
his life in active travel as a special CORE
spondent, shows what may be done by act
ing on the principle Of constantly taking
notes.
II a student begins early in life to ar
range extracts, and il be perseyeres with
out intermissiop, he will find himself The
possessor of an immense amount OF valuable
and workable literary material
The FASTING OF printed cuttings in scrap
book or the purchase Of a commonplace
book ready-made will not answer the pur-
pose. The extracts must be selected, ar
ranged, and copied by the person who is to
turn them to profit. The earlier in life the
work is begun, the BETTER Chambers
journal.