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Having therefore consulted with my Wife, and some of my Acquaintance, I determined to go again to Sea. I was Surgeon successively in two Ships, and made several Voyages, for six Years, to the East and West-Indies; by which I got some Addition to my Fortune. My Hours of Leisure I spent in reading the best Authors, ancient and modern; being always provided with a good Number of Books; and when I was ashore, in observing the Manners and Dispositions of the People, as well as learning their Language; wherein I had a great Facility by the Strength of my Memory.

One of the meaning of the "Facility" is "Talent" but I don't think here it is in this meaning.

Dose the whole phrase in bold mean: because of my good memory I easily learned many things?

Source: Gulliver's Travels

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    No, facility is not talent. It is the ease with which someone does something.
    – Lambie
    Commented Nov 2, 2022 at 15:32
  • @Lambie "the ease with which someone does something" is a reasonable definition of "talent."
    – phoog
    Commented Jul 1, 2023 at 17:15
  • @phoog The facility one has to do something may not be a talent.
    – Lambie
    Commented Jul 1, 2023 at 18:16

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Let me transcribe that into simpler English.

Having therefore consulted with my wife, and some of the people I know, I decided to go back on a ship to sail. I was a surgeon on two ships, back-to-back, and traveled for six years to the East and West Indies, which gave me some wealth in the process. I spent my free time reading books by the best authors, old and new; and was always provided with a good number of books; and when I was on land, in studying the culture of the local people, as well as learning their language; in which I had a great advantage due to my good memory.

Hope that helps.

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    I would say which I found easy because of my good memory.
    – Colin Fine
    Commented Aug 2, 2019 at 10:32
  • 2
    Lot of thanks, you mean: because of my good memory I learn easily. Am I right?
    – Viser Hashemi
    Commented Aug 2, 2019 at 11:15

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