8. Two defects in the memory, oblivion and slowness.
Memory, in an intellectual creature, is necessary in the next
degree to perception. It is of so great moment, that, where it is wanting, all the rest of our faculties are in a great
measure useless. And we in our thoughts, reasonings, and knowledge, could not proceed beyond present objects,
were it not for the assistance of our memories; wherein there may be two defects:--
First, That it loses the idea quite, and so far it produces perfect ignorance. For, since we can know nothing further
than we have the idea of it, when that is gone, we are in perfect ignorance.
Secondly, That it moves slowly, and retrieves not the ideas that it has, and are laid up in store, quick enough to
serve the mind upon occasion. This, if it be to a great degree, is stupidity; and he who, through this default in his
memory, has not the ideas that are really preserved there, ready at hand when need and occasion calls for them,
were almost as good be without them quite, since they serve him to little purpose. The dull man, who loses the
opportunity, whilst he is seeking in his mind for those ideas that should serve his turn, is not much more happy in
his knowledge than one that is perfectly ignorant. It is the business therefore of the memory to furnish to the mind
those dormant ideas which it has present occasion for; in the having them ready at hand on all occasions, consists
that which we call invention, fancy, and quickness of parts.