122 THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. But in the middle stage of life, or it may be from fifteen to fifty years of age, the memory is generally in its happiest state, the brain easily receives and long retains the images and traces which are impressed upon it, and the natural spirits are more ac- tive to range these little infinite unknown figures of things in their proper cells or cavities, to preserve and recollect them. What- soever therefore keeps the brain in its best temper and consistence, may be a help to preserve the memory ; but excess of wine or luxury of any kind, as well as excess in the studies of learning or the businesses of life, may overwhelm the memory, by over- straining and,weakening the fibres of the brain, overwasting the spirits, injuring the true consistence of that tender substance, and confounding the images that are laid up there. A good memory has these several qualifications, 1. It is ready to receive and admit with great ease, the various ideas both of words and things which are learned or taught. 2. It is large and copiousto treasure up theseideas in great number and variety 3. It is strong and durable to retain for a considerable time those words or thoughts which are committed tó it. 4. It is faithful and active to suggest and recollect upon every proper occasion, all those words or thoughts which have been recommended to its care, or treasured up in it. Now in every one of these qualifica- tions a memory may be injured, or maybe improved ; yet I shall not insist distinctly on these particulars, but only in general pro. pose a few rules or directions, whereby this noble faculty of memory in all its branches and qualifications may be preserv- ed or assisted, and shew what are the practices that both by reason and experience have been found of happy influence to this purpose. There is one great and general direction which belongs to the improvement of other powers as well of the 'memory, and that is, to keep it always in due and proper exercise. Many acts by degrees form a habit, and thereby the ability or power is strengthened and made more ready to appear again in action.-- Our memories should be used and inured from childhood to bear á moderate quantity of knowledge let into them early, and they will thereby become strong for use and service. As any limb well and duly exercised grows stronger, the nerves of the body are corroborated thereby. Milo took up a calf, and daily carried it on his shoulders ; as the calf -grew, his strength grew also, and he at last arrived at firmness of joints enough to bear the bull. Our memories will be in u great measure moulded andform., eel, improved or injured, according to the exercise of them. If we never use them they will be almost lost. Those who are wont to converse or read about a few things only will but retain a few in their memory; those who are used-to remember things
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