An Improved System of Mnemonics/Chronology

IN applying this system to that portion of Chronology, which relates to the order and succession of monarchs, the periods that each ascended the throne, &c. There will be a considerable difference in the arrangement or basis; and the mode of association, between it and general history.—In the latter, the plan and disposition of places will be different—symbols will not be required, the recorded events need no distortion, a correct and classical assimilation may be adhered to throughout; but in the former, the association of monarchs, dates and symbols, are of that nature, which at first view may appear objectionable; but, which, the writer hopes, a little consideration, and a conviction of its practical utility will remove.

Various modes have been devised, to impress chronological tables in the mind; which is a proof of the importance attached to that branch of study poetry and prose in all its varieties have been employed; but none of the plans that the author has examined, he feels confident in asserting, are so well calculated to attain the proposed end, either in quickness, permanency, or disposability as the present, which, if he substantiate, will be powerful argu​ ments in its favour; indeed the only objection that can be made, he conceives, is to the very free use he makes of the grotesque; the assistance of which he would at once reject, were it not, that its importance is so manifest to him, that if he dispensed with it, he fears that he would be unable to atchieve the point he is so desirous of gaining.

If he attempted to enter into the various arguments, that may be advanced for, or against the present arrangement, he would unnecessarily swell this work; and perhaps fail in demonstrating to many its utility; he must therefore leave it to the public to decide; he only requires, that those who condemn, will try its power ere they disapprove: Before they ridicule it as frivolous; examine if it be not efficient: This ought to be the test of condemnation or applause.

If in a dry study, we find a playful or a ludicrous assimilation assists: our memory, in a superior degree to a more sober, chaste, or correct association, in subjects where brilliancy, wit, or genius, cannot be violated; the author imagines, that the most classical feeling need not be alarmed; such a mode unbends the mind from severer pursuits, impresses and amuses at the same time. But if, notwithstanding his predilection, in its favour (from its utility alone) others adhere to a contrary opinion; they could, by the adoption of the same means, be as classical, as refined as they please. It only remains for him now to unfold his plan, for approbation or censure:—

It is frequently desirable to know the order of succession of the monarchs whose dates we impress: to know for instance that Commodus was the 18th Emperor of Rome, or Henry VIII. the twentieth monarch from the conquest, independently of being able to state that the former began to reign in 180 A.D. as the latter did in 1509. This ​object can be attained, by associating the different monarchs of the respective countries, with the symbols; commencing with Ate, and proceeding forward to the period, we choose to terminate.

Agreeably to this plan we shall first present the English monarchs; beginning from the close of the Heptarchy, when the kingdom of England became united in the person of Egbert; and terminating with the reign of his present Majesty, King George the Third. The whole of which may be committed to memory in one hour, if the symbols be well impressed on the mind before hand; if not, the author recommends the students, before they enter on the present pursuit, to re-peruse his directions, pages 37 and 38, and act upon them, by committing, at least, fifty symbols to memory.

This table contains the names of the respective monarchs, the periods of their accession to the throne, the symbols with which they are to be associated, and the technical words of the dates. We shall now present the associations necessary to be committed to memory.

As learners will derive considerable advantage throughout the whole course of this system, by endeavouring to form pictures that their minds can fancy; wherever an op portunity offers in these tables, the names of individuals, as well as the words of the dates, will be represented by sensible objects; well knowing, that they are calculated to impress the mind more forcibly than mere words, or abstract ideas, that we cannot embody; the students are therefore recommended to avail themselves of all those aids which a little experience will prove of such advantage to them. For instance, if Egbert, the first of our monarchs, ​was assimilated with Ate, purely as Egbert, he might be very soon confounded with Ethelwolf, Ethelbald, or Ethelbert: if the first monarch (from being the first) is not likely to be forgotten; the succeeding ones are not so well defended; but if we dissect the name of Egbert, and say that Ate has an Egg and a Bird in her hand, which she is placing upon a Bank, here we form pictures which we can very readily present to our mental view, to assist our recollection. The students in doing this, must gaze upon the particular part of their room No. 1, where they have already placed Ate; and with the symbol likewise in their hand, to assist them in forming the picture; alternately gazing on it and the place; they may in a minute make that kind of representation which will be effectual. If they merely said that Ate was placing an Egg and a Bird on a Bank, this might be soon forgotten; but not so, if they pourtray it in the mind. If there be a chair, table, stool, or any article of furniture near, they can use it in some manner to assist: if a stool, it can be converted into the Bank. They ought not to content themselves with saying that there is a Bird, they may fancy it to be flying, or endeavouring to fly; or represent, that its wings are clipped; or any little aids of that nature, to assist them in recalling the object when they please; the same principle to be strictly adhered to throughout. It may appear more tedious, but in the end it will be shorter, as one or two efforts will fix the association. It is scarcely necessary to observe that the words Egg and Bird are given from their analogy in sound to Egbert; and that the word Bank, has the consonants b.n.k, which make the date, 827.

In all the following associations, the words in Italics refer to the Names of the kings, as the words of the dates will be in small capitals.

Ate is putting an Egg and a bird upon a Bank.

Ino Hath a Wolf, which she is beating with a Bamboo.

Guy's Head is Bald, which makes him look very Bleak, (for we can suppose that in his encounter with the cow he lost his helmet.)

The Roe Eat a tall bird, which it caught in the Woods.

Leo Eat a thread, that was Weaved around him, to ensnare him.

On mount Ida, the inhabitants were All freed, to Awaken in their minds a love of liberty.

In the Oak, you see a Guard, with an Elder tree in his Fist—or he is there at his Post.

Three fingered Jack, Hath a Stone Phial, that he received from the Old Witch, as the Obi or charm to protect him.

The Ape has his Head on a Mound, that was raişed for a Fort—or he looks very Pert.

Aty's Head is red, of which he is very Proud.

Equity has just received an Etui from Apollo.

Autonoe is very Eager to Flap Diana, for destroying her son.

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Time is attacking a Guard, whom he is going to Martyr in the most Facile manner—or he will Martyr him with a Pikle.

The Equery Hath a tall red Ρike Βoy to attend him.

Atyla the valiant Scythian, is on A Mound, getting Iron on his Sides, Tied very tightly round him.

Tuova the Indian is exposed so long in a Canoe that he begins to Quake with cold.

Teuca is examining a Hare that's very Old, as its Foot is very like that of a Mole = or it's Foot ran over many a Mile.

Toby is in a Hard Canoe, which he is washing out with a Mop.

Tupia (the High Priest) has a Guard Confessing to him, as he complies with every Rite of the Church.

Eneas caught a Hare that was so Old, it Died at his feet.

Natio has 1 Willow-tree in her hand, in the branches of which she keeps a Dove.

Noah has 2 Willow-trees (one in each hand) that are very Weak.

Hygeia is humanely endeavouring to save 1 Hen that fell into the Sea.

Hero is Stealing a Smile at Leander.

Hyale with her bow killed 2 Hens, that belonged to a Sailor.

The Naiad is talking to a Rich man, who was formerly a Sweep.

The Inca is directing his man John, to bring him a Seapipe

Hebe has 3 Hens sipping out of her Cup, in a very United manner.

Hope keeps 1 Guard in the corner, whom she will not suffer to stir an Inch.

When Egeus threw himself into the sea, he ordered 2 Guards to play Music on the occasion.

Muta orders her 3 Guards, to bring a Monk before her, for interrupting her silence.

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Egeon has 2 Rich men (one on each side of him) who do nothing but Mock his attempts to annoy the Gods.

Gama is putting 4 Hens in a Muff, (one in each corner).

Maria has 5 Hens, (one on each finger of her hand) to whom she is chanting a Requiem.

Milo has 6 valuable Hens presented to him, for his skill in wrestling, they cost a great deal of Rhino.

Medea is in a square; in each corner of which she places a Guard (4 Guards) to be ready to Ride out, to accompany Jason, when she desires them.

Egica is directing 5 Guards to attack Fasilia, who exclaims "They come to Rob me, of my life."

Mab is directing her fairies to attack 3 Rich men, and then Rob'me.

Gopiæ are killing 7 Hens, for injuring some Arable land; they intend eating one every day in the week (seven days).

Iris is placing on the ceiling, a nest of 8 Hens; that are so young, they can only Lisp.

Erato, the muse of lyric poetry, has 3 Guards on each side of her (6) whom she is instructing to make verses ​purely Lyric—or she is giving them a sumptuous supper off a Lark.

Urania is very Merry, for being dubbed the muse of Astronomy, she is going to Illume her house.

In the ship Argo, there is a large Lizard, which is extremely Yellow.

Zara when taken prisoner, lost all her royal Gems; which made her in great Dismay.

Ariel fatigued with flying, is resolved to use a Chariot: and have no Denial in procuring it.

(He was deprived by the disturbances in England, which terminated in the Commonwealth, and Cromwell's Protectorate; from ascending the Throne in 1649; the year that his father was put to death; but he was restored in the year 1660).

The Naiad, not to be outdone by Hyale; is resolved to have 2 Chariots, but one of them is ready to Drop; the other is drawn by Doves.

Yarico gave Incle 2 Gems, when she made an Avowal of her love to him.

The Arab plants 3 Willows, and dances round then in a Merry mood, as he is promised a Dawpie, for his dinner.

Europa is sending a Nanny goat to her Cousin.

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50	George I.	${\displaystyle \scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}}$	Eolus	${\displaystyle \scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}}$	Acquire.
	George II.				Choice.
	George III.				Codes.

Eolus, obedient to the dictates of Britannia, directed his winds against the hostile fleets of her enemies; that the subjects of her favourite isles, under the dominions of George I. George II. and George III. should Acquire Choice Codes, for their protection.

As Eolus is the last symbol in the first room, it was considered unnecessary to associate George II. and George III. with Lot and Juno; it may with ease be recollected, that the three monarchs of the name of George, are with him assimilated; and that the present monarch is the fifty-second from Egbert.

Learners are advised to adopt the same plan in committing the chronological associations to memory, as in page 47, in remembering the figures; to proceed slowly but surely: first, to make themselves perfect with the floor, then the first wall, &c. &c.—By repeating them once a day, for a few days, always looking at the places, they will become so strongly impressed, that they will scarcely ever forget them.—It will be useful when they have repeated each story, to connect the Name of the monarch with the Technical word, as it will give a facility in answering to their dates, thus Egbert, Bank; Ethelwolf, Bamboo, &c. &c.—They may sometimes exercise themselves, by determining the 14th, 27th, 36th &c. sovereigns: which they can do very quickly by thinking of their respective localities and symbols. They can also tell, with sufficient accuracy, the length of time a king reigned; by deducting the period that he commenced his reign, from the date of the ​accession of his successor:—thus, if asked, How long did Henry VIII. reign?—the technical word for him is Lisp; which is quickly resolved into the figures 509, (by prefixing the figure 1 is 1509). His successor was Edward VI. the word Lyric attached to him is 1547—by subtracting 15;09 from 15,47; the remainder, 38 years; was nearly the exact length of Henry's reign.

They can likewise, by a little practice, immediately pronounce who reigned, when a date only is mentioned; thus they hear, that a memorable circumstance occured in the year 1415, which date is not the commencement of any king's reign; they know that the figure 1, representing one thousand, was not employed in their associations; they should only direct their attention to the figure which follows it :—in the present instance a 4, the letter representing it is r; they have now to think of any of those monarchs whose technical words commence with r:—Henry V. and Requiem, will be soon presented to the mind; which word reduced to figures, is 1,413.—To be certain that 1415 was in his reign, let them consider who was his immediate successor—Henry VI. and Rhino the date, was the next assimilation, being 1,422; which proves that it could not be in the reign of Henry VI.—the year 1422 being the time he ascended; and as no monarch reigned between Henry V. and Henry VI. it must therefore be in the reign of the former; by deducting 14,13 from 14,15 the date sought for; they perceive that he was then about two years upon the throne; they cannot fail in recollecting (if they have read the History of England), that it was about that period, the celebrated battle of Agincourt was fought.—Who reigned in 1,396? m is the letter representing 3. The technical words beginning with m, are Music, Monk, Mock, Muff; it will be seen that it was in the reign of Richard II. the word Mock being 1377.—Muff following it, is 1399. Thus any date of the British ​history, from Egbert to the present time; being presented to the student of this system; whether an inscription of a church or castle being erected; a battle fought; &c. they quickly determine the name of the sovereign that then reigned—and if at all acquainted with history, they can, by such means, recollect the important transactions of Europe, at that time; which in general, was in some degree directly or remotely, interwoven with the British history.

The ingenious students can apply many passages of the connecting stories, that may be made to bear upon thè historical facts; and thus doubly assist them they can remark, that as under Egbert, the greater part of England became consolidated; it had then the appearance of a firm Bank; compared with the numerous mole-hills raised by the petty monarchs of districts.

Mount Ida can represent Britain, the inhabitants of which were All-freed, by the admirable administration of her sovereign, Alfred; who was anxious to Awaken in their minds a love of liberty.—With William the Conqueror, the Dove might be represented as the messenger from him to Harold demanding the crown, the Willow, the emblem of sorrow for his despotism.

The word Sea, may be impressed with Henry I. as he lost Prince Henry his son, and the greater part of his nobility, by a storm at Sea.

Edward V.—Rob me, is sufficiently striking, applying it, to his successor's conduct to him.

Under Henry VIII. the Reformation began to Lisp.

James I. was always in Dismay, when he saw a sword drawn (as his historian relates.)

Charles the First's Denial of the claims of his subjects was the cause of his ruin.

The fallen fortunes of Charles II. in the early parts of ​his life, may be illustrated by the word Droop; his levity by supposing his chariot drawn by Doves.——George III. having framed a great many excellent Codes, &c. &c.

The numerous subscribers of the author, who learned the English Chronology by attending his lectures; by commencing then, only from William the Conqueror; need not disturb the order of their associations, but merely commence again with Egbert, and finish with Harold. They who adhere to the present mode, can readily determine the order of any monarch's succession from the conquest; by deducting 20, (the number of kings that preceded William) from any proposed number. Thus, the 32d king from Egbert, will be the 12th from the conquest.—Richard II. Henry VIII. the 40th from Egbert, is the 20th from William, &c. This mode of proceeding from Egbert, he conceived to be better than the former, from William; as he has only occasion to use his symbols once, whereas by the former arrangement, twenty of them will be employed twice.