Novel Tetrahydroisoquino[2,1-c][1,3]benzodiazepines are disclosed having the formula ##STR1## where X and Y are each independently hydrogen, halogen, loweralkyl, loweralkoxy or --CF.sub.3, and R is hydrogen or loweralkyl, and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof and where applicable the geometric and optical isomers and racemic mixtures thereof. The compounds of this invention display utility in enhancing memory.