BOOK I PART III
to get a sight of a person actuated by a like
emotion, in order to enliven his ideas, and give
them a force and vivacity superior to what is
found in those, which are mere fictions of the
imagination. The more recent this memory is,
the clearer is the idea; and when after a long in-
terval he would return to the contemplation of
his object, he always finds its idea to be much
decayed, if not wholly obliterated. We are fre-
quently in doubt concerning the ideas of the
memory, as they become very weak and fee-
ble; and are at a loss to determine whether any
image proceeds from the fancy or the memory,
when it is not drawn in such lively colours as
distinguish that latter faculty. I think, I remem-
ber such an event, says one; but am not sure.
A long tract of time has almost worn it out of
my memory, and leaves me uncertain whether
or not it be the pure offspring of my fancy.