Chapter XIX.—What It is to
Remember.
28. But how is it when the memory itself loses
anything, as it happens when we forget anything and try to recall
it? Where finally do we search, but in the memory itself? And
there, if perchance one thing be offered for another, we refuse it,
until we meet with what we seek; and when we do, we exclaim,
“This is it!” which we should not do unless we knew it again,
nor should we recognise it unless we remembered it. Assuredly,
therefore, we had forgotten it. Or, had not the whole of it slipped
our memory, but by the part by which we had hold was the other part
sought for; since the memory perceived that it did not revolve
together as much as it was accustomed to do, and halting, as if
from the mutilation of its old habit, demanded the restoration of
that which was wanting. For example, if we see or think of some man
known to us, and, having forgotten his name, endeavour to recover
it, whatsoever other thing presents itself is not connected with
it; because it was not used to be thought of in connection with
him, and is consequently rejected, until that is present whereon
the knowledge reposes fittingly as its accustomed object. And
whence, save from the memory itself, does that present itself? For
even when we recognise it as put in mind of it by another, it is
thence it comes. For we do not believe it as something new, but, as
we recall it, admit what was said to be correct. But if it were
entirely blotted out of the mind, we should not, even when put in
mind of it, recollect it. For we have not as yet entirely forgotten
what we remember that we have forgotten. A lost notion, then, which
we have entirely forgotten, we cannot even search for.