"As a Ship at Sea running swiftly thro the Waves, leaves behind a Track, which is almost as soon lost as made, so that no sign can be found of its Passage thro that fluid Element: So the moisture of the Brain may be susceptible of an Idea for the present, but 'tis not lasting, nor is there any sign a little after of any such Matter."
— D'Assigny, Marius (1643-1717)
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
J. Darby
Date
1697
Metaphor
"As a Ship at Sea running swiftly thro the Waves, leaves behind a Track, which is almost as soon lost as made, so that no sign can be found of its Passage thro that fluid Element: So the moisture of the Brain may be susceptible of an Idea for the present, but 'tis not lasting, nor is there any sign a little after of any such Matter."
Metaphor in Context
The second Temper unfit for Memory is moist, when a too great Humidity seizes upon the Brain, as in Drunkenness, Intemperance, and Defluxions. Memory in such a case may quickly receive an Impression, but it will as speedily lose it. As a Ship at Sea running swiftly thro the Waves, leaves behind a Track, which is almost as soon lost as made, so that no sign can be found of its Passage thro that fluid Element: So the moisture of the Brain may be susceptible of an Idea for the present, but 'tis not lasting, nor is there any sign a little after of any such Matter. Those Persons may remember the things near at hand, but they seldom call to mind that which has been long ago done.
(p. 28-9)
(p. 28-9)
Provenance
Browsing in Google Books
Citation
Four entries in ESTC: 1697, 1699, 1699?, and 1706.
Text from The Art of Memory. A Treatise useful for all, especially such as are to speak in Publick., 3rd edition, corrected (London: Printed by J. Darby, 1706). <Link to Google Books>
Date of Entry
07/13/2013
