The New Aid to Memory/Plate I

In the following Dates I have confined myself to the more easy and convenient Eras of before (B.C.) and after (A.D.) Christ.

A room being built, and a kiln upon a hill, will suggest that Rome was built by Romulus, on the Palatine Hill.

Kiln will give the date 752 B.C.

Vestal Virgins, each wearing a gaiter, and carrying a pompion or pumpkin; they are going with much pomp into the Temple of Janus, ​which was built by Numa Pompilius, and was shut in peace and open in war.

Gaiter will give the date 714 B.C.

A horse still (for Hostil) or quiet, with dogs at his heels, will suggest the name and date of this king. The Roman swords and helmet will remind us of the battle which was decided between the Romans and Albans. Three brothers on each side of the same age decided the combat. Those of the Romans were called Horatii, those of the Albans, Curiatii. One of the Horatii survived the contest, and consequently the fight was in favour of the Romans. It has been said, that no dogs even ever fought so regardless of their own safety, each only sought the destruction of the other.

Dogs will give the date 670 B.C.

A warrior, or Dymoke the Champion, hurling a spear towards a Demi-oak, which is here used ​as a boundary mark. On his shield is an anchor, the first syllable of which, anc, will suggest the name of Ancus. These symbols will suggest the name and date of this king, and the ceremony which he instituted to precede a declaration of war. A herald went with a javelin in his hand to the confines of the enemy, solemnly proclaimed war, and then flung his weapon into their territories.

Demi-oak, or Dymoke, will give the date 637 B.C.

An old tar (for Tarquin the Old) turned editor, standing in a circle with a book in his hand, will suggest the name and date of this king. The circle will remind us that Tarquinius Priscus laid the first foundation of an amphitheatre, for the combats of men and beasts.

Editor will give the date 614 B.C.

A servant whose livery is much laced, will suggest the name and date of this king. He ​had the name of Servius affixed to him because he was the son of a bondwoman, who had been taken at the sacking of a town belonging to the Latins, and was born while his mother was yet a slave.

Laced will give the date 576 B.С.

A Tar on the prow of a ship (for Tarquin the Proud) destroying looms with his cutlass, will suggest the name and date of Tarquinius the Proud, also the brutal treatment of Lucretia from his son Sextus, whose conduct on this occasion led to the subversion of the kingly power of Rome.

Looms will give the date 530 B.С.

The Tar on the prow is driven overboard, and fallen into a washing-tub, where he may lie-a-soak. These symbols will suggest the date when the regal power was overthrown.

Lie-a-soak will give the date 507 В.С.

A large idol and a man going to reface it will suggest the name and date of this magistrate. The people invested him with uncontrollable power.

Reface will give the date 497 B.C.

A tribunal with an air-fan swinging over it will suggest this institution and its date. The five sticks of the fan will remind us of the number of tribunes, when they were first created: their office was to annul all such decrees of the Senate as they considered to lean upon the people, by the word, Veto, I forbid.

Air-fan will give the date 492 B.С.

Romkiln, Nugaiter, Hosdogs, Anc. demi-Oak, Editor, Prisc. Serv. Laced, Tarq. Looms, Tarq. Lie-a-soak, First Dic. Reface, Tri. Air-Ean.