Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-12-03
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AEECD0TAL LITERATURE,
Contributed to the Independent
by W. g.

DRY.
Sydney Smith possessed won
deriul memory. He could readily
repeat pages of poetry, English,
Latin and French. When, where or
how he learned them no one of his
family pretended to know; but they
were always ready and appropriate
in company, when conversation turn
ed that way. He was equally ready
in enlivening party OF young la
dies, by every variety of charades
and conundrums, generally made on
the spur of the moment by cutting
paper into curious figures, and by q
display Of clever tricks; for all
which his demand was a kiss from
each. His company was much
sought after. He was always lively
and agreeable, and his conversation
full of variety and interesting anec-
dotes.
William Woodfall, the son of the
celebrated printer of the Public AID.
vertiser, in which the letters of
Junius first appeared, possessed
most extraordinary memory, as well
as wonderful powers of literary
labor. II is asserted that he has
been known to sit through long
debate OF the House Of Commons,
not making single note, aud after
wards to write out full and faith
full account of what had taken place,
extending to sixteen columns with
out allowing himself an interval Of
rest. The remarkable exertions of
this most famous reporter gave the
newspapers for which he wrote a
celebrity which compelled other
newspapers to aim at the same full
ness and freshness In their parlia-
mentary reports. What Woodfall
accomplished by excessive bodily
and mental exertion, his contempo-
raries succeeded in bringing TO q
higher degree or perfection by the
division of labor; and thus, in time,
each morning newspaper had Sc
cured the assistance of an efficient
body of reporters, each of whom
might in turn take notes of debate
and commit portion of it to the
press several hours before the whole
debate was concluded.
Borri Of Milan was considered q
prodigy for his comprehensive and
retentive memory. When the works
of Labenus were burnt by the com.
mon executioner, Cassius Soverus
cried out that they must burn the
author too, for he possessed the con.
tents of all the books IN his mem.
DRY.
DR.. johnson: Some time previous
to DR.. Hawkworth's publication Of
bis beautiful "Ode on Life,' since
published in Pearche's "ColIection
of Poems" in four volumes, he car.
ried it down to fIiend's house in
the country for the purpose of re-
touching it. DR.. johnson was OF
this party and as Hawksworth and
Johnson lived on the most intimate
terms, the former read 1t to John
son for his opinion. "Why, sir"
says Johnson, 81 cannot we'll de-
termine on first hearing; read it
again-seoond thoughts are some.
times best" DR.. Hawksworth com.
piled, after which DR.. johnson read
it himself, approved of it very high.
ly and returned it. Next morning,
at breakfast, the subject OF the
poem was discussed. DR.. johnson,
after expressing his admiration Of
it, said be Rad but one objection TO
make TO it, which was, that he
doubted its originality. Haws.
worth, astonished and alarmed at
this, challenged him to the proof,
when to bis utter amskement, the
DR.. repeated the whole poem, with
the exception OF only few lines.
"What do you say now, Hawkyi"
said the Doctor. 81 only say this"
replied the other, that / shall re.
peat nothing, hereafter, OF my COM
posing TO you; for yon have mem
DRY that would convict an author Of
plagiarism in any court OF literature
in the world.
1t is reported OF the Emperor
Claudius, that he retained in mem
DRY all Homer, SaIlust. Demos.henes
and Aristotles Metaphysics.
Queen Isabella, OF Spain, is said
to have possessed wonderfully re-
tentive memory. She could name
with perfect readiness the date of
every important event OF ancient
and modern history.
When the late William Hutton,
man Of original cast of mind, as an
experiment in memory, opened a
book which he had divided into
three hundred and sixty FIVE col
umns, according to the days OF the
year, he resolved to try to recollect
an anecdote, as insignificant and re-
mote as he was able, rejecting all
under ten years, ago, and to bis Sur
prise, he filled all these spaces Tor
small "reminiscences within ten coll
umns, but until this experiment was
made, be never conceived the extent
| of this faculty.