UC-NRLF ^B E7M 5Qb -.... . _ ,-,- v.^ . •'f' :A ^t^MMMM ARTIFICIAL MEMORY: THE GRAND METHOD OF MAKING "'' • A BAD MEMORY GOOD, AND A GOOD MEMOEY BETTER. By WM. NEMOS, PROttiSSOK OF AKTIFICIAI, MEMOKY. bAN FRANCISCO . Published for thm: Author by A. L. BANCROFT & CQMIP^^N'Y. ■i«73. FRICE, ONE I30LL^R. ARTIFICIAL MEMORY: THE GRAND METHOD OF MA.KING A BAD MEMORY GOOD, A GOOD MEMOEY BETTEE. ^rr^t^" B y 'W M . ' lWia?\ V'j^^ngvess, at Washington. QAr,E. CHAPTER II. Mnemonic Alphabet; How to remember Fig- ures; Memory Table; Examples .- 39 CHAPTER III. How to remember any number of Words after hearing or reading them over once 48 CHAPTER IV. How to remember any number of Figures after hearing or reading them over once 54 CHAPTER V. How to retain Dates ; History - <. 58 CHAPTER VI. How to find the Day of the Week on which any Day of the Month falls, for any Year, past or future; How to remember Bible Texts, Latitudes and Longitudes, Statis- tics, Astronomical Magnitudes, Loga- rithms, Chemistry 03 CHAPTER VII. How to master Geography, Grammar, Names, How to recollect Errands, Engagements; How to learn Poetry, Prose; How to remember Lectures, Sermons, Conversa- tions; How to Lecture without Notes 09 MIND AND MEMORY. It does not pay to have a bad memory. To be ten times as long as need be in mastering a given subject, is bad enough, but it is still worse to have to suffer from daily, almost inces- sant forgetfulness, the omission of little things, as they are called, which often result in great vexations, disappointments, and disasters. Fre- quent forgetfulness renders many people abso- lutely miserable. Half theii thoughts are re- grets that they did not say something, or do something at the right time. But it too often happens that no regrets, however bitter, and no efforts, however energetic, can afford another opportunity for securing the same results which might have been obtained with ease, had mem- ory done her duty. One case of forgetfulness may cost a fortune, may nullify the unceasing efforts of years, may blight prospects for life.- We must banish this, the greatest enemy of the mind, by using the means before us of im- proving our memory; thereby securing not only self-reliance and exemption from harassing 2 , L NATURAL MEMORY. anxiety, but, what is of higher importance, in- creased vigor for every faculty of the mind. Everybody admits that it is a great advantage to have a good memory; but few have a clear idea of what memory really is, and of the im- portant role it plays in every act of the intellect. Analysis of the mind will show that it is almost all memory. Memory is generally said to be "the retention of things perceived," conse- quently perception is supposed to be of primary importance — the cause, of which memory is but the effect. But we shall soon see that readiness and ac- curacy of perception depends upon memory. For instance, no sensible man would invite a draper to select diamonds for him, nor a jeweler to choose cloth, when he could obtain the jew- eler's advice upon the diamonds, and the draper's aid in buying cloth, and why? Because every- body knows that, although the draper might look at the diamonds, he would not be able to perceive their merits or defects, and so with the jeweler in regard to cloth. The question now arises, why two men, with equally good eyes, should not see equally well ? Because the jeweler, having in his memory a great many facts and circumstances connected with dia- monds,- might discover many beauties and de- NATUEAL MEMORY. 11 fects in them, tliat would escape the notice of the draper. The draper, again, with his larger remembrance of the qualities of cloth, would be more competent in his own particular branch. This difference in the memory of the two men, is the cause of the difference in their capability of perception. Readiness and power of percep- tion, then, are determined by memory; and, it must further be borne in mind, that that which is perceived, is valueless, unless it is retained by the memory. Perception not only depends upon memory, but that which is often called perception, is in reality but memory. If you say, "I perceive the cars coming; they have just crossed the bridge," it is equal to saying: '' 1 know, by means of my memory, that the cars were at the bridge, but now they are nearer to me." Careful reflection upon this subject will show that the minutest mental acts are, for the most part, memory. Many words arouse in the mind the influence of complex memory, although they are generally supposed to produce simple per- ception. Thus, the word " windmill " first sug- gests to the memory the idea tvind, which, as we cannot see it, makes us think of something which we can see, associated in our memory with loind, and then we think of mill — some 12 NATURAL MEMORY. mill already in our memory gives its tlie idea. And mark, while pronouncing the second sylla- ble of the word "windmill," we must have in memory the fact that the word wind preceded it; otherwise we might think of a tualermiU, or any other mill. Conception, imagination and invention, and all the creative powers of the mind, have their origin in memory. People have the idea that these faculties are self-creative, self-developing and independent of others; but every new idea springs, directly or indirectly, from an old one, although it is common for the ordinary thinker to be unaware of the origin of thought upon many subjects. Many seem to regard it as a fanciful theory, that for every mental effect there is a cause; but it is so, although the cause may not be apparent at all times. We are indebted to the genius of Milton for "Paradise Lost;" but the genius of Milton consisted of a vivid remembrance of Bible records, of expressive words, and of metre. Had he forgotten either, his genius would have been marred. Shaks- peare, "the immortal bard," gave us some of the finest specimens of imagination that have ever charmed the world; but his genius con- sisted in an accurate remembrance of historical facts, of feelings and sensations of the human NATURAL MEMORY. 13 heart, and of tlie laws of rhetoric. Had he for- gotten the characteristics of the individuals of whom he wrote; had he forgotten the objects and circumstances by which they were sur- rounded; or had he forgotten the plots which his brain had interwoven, the soul-inspiring name of Shakspeare would be a name unknown. We are indebted to Morse for the telegraph; but the genius of Morse consisted in the remem- brance of a variety of objects, facts, principles and requirements, prompted by which remem- brances, he tried experiments, which he remem- bered, until, by the perfection of the associa- tion of remembrances, the telegraph appeared to an admiring world. Judgment — lofty, reverenced judgment — is humiliatingly dependent upon memory. Mem- ory may exist without judgment, but judg- ment cannot exist without memor}^ The judge reviews the forensic knowledge gained from books and experience, which . has been stored in memory during years of labor, and is enabled to render his verdict. ; Shrewdness, or tact, depends mainly upon memory. The sharp business man is he who remembers men and manners. Arithmetical calculation is the remembrance of certain numerical facts, rules and results. 14 NATURAL MEMORY. Disposition depends greatly upon memory. If a youth is clever, but unreliable; if a man is talented but vicious, it is because certain moral remembrances are faint, or overshadowed by others. The memory of the heart, of the soul, requires exercise and development. Love, delight, pleasure, arise from the remem- brance of that which is" in harmony with our condition. Gratitude, appreciation, are the remembrances of benefits and advantages received. Hope is the desire of the fulfillment of a re- membered imagination. Thus, suppose an invalid seeks change of air in the hope of thereby becoming convalescent; he imagines that it may bring about his recovery, as it has reestablished the health of others, and all this he remembers and desires. Charity arises from the remembrance of facts and thoughts which awaken our sympathy. Want of charity is commonly called "forgetting to make allowances" for circumstances, or for the frailty of humanity. Humility is the remembrance of our faults and weakness, our dependent condition, and our imperfections. Prudence is the ofispriug of memory. The remembrance of past circumstances of a pain- NATURAL MEMORY. 15 ful nature makes us auxious to avoid their recur- rence. ''A burnt child dreads the fire," that is, he remembers that there is or may be danger. Honor is based upon the remembrance of duty. Many dishonorable acts result through forgetfulness, which may be bitterly regretted. Conscience is but memory. It is the remem- brance of what is supposed to be right. I say, "of what is supposed to be right;" because it is quite possible for us to be conscientious, and yet absolutely wrong and wicked. Conscience does not trouble the cannibal while feasting on his fellow-creature's remains, because no impres- sion of the sinfulness of the act has been made upon his memory; and even if he should ex- perience some gentle reminder, it would only be the result of his recollections, from own minor experience, that the sufferings of his vic- tim were painful, as they would be to himself in case of a reprisal. Conscience is the battle- field selected by inclination and duty, on which to settle their strife. Where no duty is laid down by law, inclination follows her own dic- tates. We might thus proceed with every mental manifestation, but the illustrations given are sufficient to show that memory, instead of being a comparatively mean quality of the mind — one 16 NATURAL MEMORY. wliicli may be slighted — is the hasis of intelli- gence; the faculty npon which the other opera- tions of the mind wholly rest and depend. That it is not only the basis of the intellectual edi- fice, but the chief material of its body, and of its summit, without which the other faculties could not exist, and with which they are so in- separably connected, that whatever tends to dim the memory, must tend to diminish their lustre also. It follows, then, that the development, culture and preservation of the memory are matters of the very first importance. As the brain is the recognized organ of the mind, and as its size, quality and activity are supposed to determine our mental power, it is thought that those only can have a good mem- ory who have a certain kind of brain. That organization is necessary for the manifestation of mind and memory, is unquestionable; but to suppose that memory is wholly dependent upon it, is a grave error ; one that may often prevent the proper effort to obtain improvement. What- ever physical cause tends to strengthen the brain, must certainly be advantageous to the mind and memory, and whatever is detrimental to the brain, is injurious to the mind and memory also. To obey the physical laws of our being is thus of primary importance, if we would have NATURAL MEMORY. 17 memory in perfection. But organization and health alone will not determine our powers of memory; there are two other essentials — exercise and system — and whoever possesses sufficient en- dowment of brain for the manifestation of or- dinary intelligence, has enough brain to ensure, by these means, what is termed a very good memory. Inactivity destroys the memory; but though much may sometimes be accomplished in the way of remembrance by working /? arc?, still more can be done by working ivell, and this brings us to system. 18 NATURAL MEMORY. HOW TO IMPEOVE THE MEMOKY. OBSERVE, REFLECT, LINK THOUGHT WITH THOUGHT, AND THINK OF THE IMPRESSION. This is one of the best and most comprehen- sive rules ever given for the improvement of the memory. The following hint's will illustrate some of its diversified applications: COMMITTING TO MEMORY. When you wish to learn a piece of prose or verse, try to grasp its general meaning first, and then particularize, that is, observe what words are used, and how they are placed. Learn one sentence thoroughly by reflection, before you attempt to master another, and link them together by noticing how they follow. When 3 ou think 3'ou have succeeded in getting a sentence to run upon your tongue correctly, think of the impression; remove your eyes from the paper, and articulate the words aloud or mentally. Immediately afterwards cover the sentences with your hand, and again repeat, allowing yourself to look for each word just after you have uttered it. You will then detect any error of omission, substitution or transposition. Many people recommend writing out, a great NATURAL MEMORY. 19 many times, that which you would learn; but this is not so good as the plan just suggested. If you have learned anything by ear, and are fearful of forgetting it, w^ite it out once clearly, and afterwards look at it carefully; this will give 3^ou the assistance of visual remembrance. If you should refer to your dictionary for the spelling of a word, write it once or twice cor- rectly by the side of a misspelled copy, and compare the two modes, pronouncing the word aloud. When next you require to write this word, your tongue, ear, eye and hand will con- jointly aid you. If you are going to commit to memory a long piece, write out a small portion at a time, and carry it about with you, looking at it wdienever opportunity offers. Many persons, acting npon this, have adorned their minds in no mean man- ner, without ever "sitting down" to study. When walking in the streets, or engaged in minor pursuits, w^e are apt to w^aste our time in "thoughts revolving." A slip of paper from the pocket, used as proposed, may remedy this. Do not w^ait till you find time to accomplish a, great deal, but attempt a little immediately. Learn a small portion daily, and occasionally repeat, in suitable divisions, the whole of that which you have learned. The latter injunction 20 NATURAL MEMORY. sliould Eot be neglected, as it is quite as im- portant to retain, in available condition, the re- sults of past application, as it is to make fresh acquisitions. It is an excellent plan to place the piece of composition you wish to learn before you of a morning, when dressing, and learn as you pro- ceed with your toilet. It is also good to repeat the piece just before going to bed; that which is then brought before the mind, though appar- ently imperfectly known at night, is often found thoroughly mastered in the morning. When learning by heart, it is well to retire to some room or localitj^ in which you are not likely to be . interrupted, and there repeat aloud. Poetry may sometimes be learned with speed, by putting a well-known tune to it. STUDY. Some people learn best seated, others prefer standing or walking; and these last modes are certainly healthier, as the nervous action caused by the effort of learning can then be greatly modified. Sitting tends to cranij:) the chest and bend the shoulders. When you feel in a humor for study, be sure you try to keep so. At such times it is highly important to avoid hearty meals and distracting NATURAL MEMORY. 21 subjects. Many people can learn best wlien they are rather hungry, and, when their atten- tion is distracted by a gnawing in the stomach, allay such sensations by a small biscuit and a little water. A meal Avould incapacitate them for further study. As a rule, we 'habituate our- selves to eating much more and oftener than we require; and while we are engaged in close men- tal pursuits, the physical wear and tear is not so great as when we are more vigorously employed, consequently less food is required; a surplus supply exhausts the energies, instead of renew- ing them. The time selected for study will greatly in- fluence our success. Some can do best before breakfast, while others appear to wake up in- tellectually at night, and can continue to study till morning. It is always unwise to attempt hard study immediately after a hearty meal. To persist in so doing will eventually muddle the brain, impair the digestion, and injure the gen- eral health. These remarks are particularly worthy of the attention of those engaged in business. With many, the evening is the only time they get to themselves; and it is highly important to know how to use it to best advantage. Don't force your attention when you are 22 NATUKAL MEMORY. weary. Tliis is an invaluable advice; but, un- fortunately, it is very difficult to avoid the ne- cessity of violating it. In fact, to work when tired is the duty of most students. It then be- comes a matter of importance to know how to meet this demand most judiciousl}^ When the mind has been poring over some abstract sub- ject for hours, without making much headway, a restlessness is experienced. First one foot may be sent in one direction, then the other in another; then the arms fall listlessly by the sides, and the performance is completed by a yawn. How you long for a few winks! Well, close your eyes, lose youi'self and wake refresh- ed. Get some one to rouse you when you have dozed a few minutes, for fear you should prolong your sweet oblivion. This is also very effective in case of grief and anxiety. Another excellent method is to rise, if jou are seated, to stretch yourself, close your hands, and strike out vigorously, right and left, for a few moments. Washing the face and hands in cold water is also good; or simply applying a damp towel to your eyelids. Sitting near the fire will tend to draw you off to sleep, and breathing hot or impure atmos- phere will make you drowsy; so do not make NATURAL MEMORY. 'A6 yourself too cozy, and see well to the ventila- tion. A short run in the open air, or rushing up and down stairs, will be found reviving. Those con- fined indoors during the day should take a few minutes walk in the fresh air of an evening, be- fore commencing to study. When reading produces headache, it may often be removed by passing the tips of the fingers of both hands a few times from the centre of the forehead to the commencement of the cheeks, either at the distance of about of about half an inch from the face, or in contact with it. Many have tried this with success. Some students suffer greatly from thirst. By gargling the throat, and rinsing the mouth with cold water, this feeling may be removed; some dip a crust of bread in cold water and place it in their mouth. This maybe tried by "thirsty souls" as well as students. When you wish to concentrate your mind upon a given subject, prevent, as far as possi- ble, anything from distracting your attention. If you have several things to do, always execute, those of importance first, as a most powerful cause of distraction is the knowledge of duty unperformed. Many people lament the amount of time lost 24 NATURAL MEMORY. in traveling, as they cannot tlien study or read, except at the penalty of a headache or indispo- sition. They should repeat mentally that which they have previously learned. Some can read very well, when traveling, by placing a card immediately below the line upon which the eye is fixed; this greatly counteracts the effect of the oscillation of the carriage. Change of thought is most refreshing to the mind. When close application has wearied you with a subject, turn to a fresh and more inter- esting one. Change of work is rest. Let it be distinctly understood that I do not advocate unnecessary irregularity either in diet, exercise or sleep, but simply give certain hints that may prove advantageous when irregularity cannot be avoided. Cultivate regular habits as much as possible. Over study and mismanage- ment will undermine the best constitution. Use wise moderation in everything; few have an idea of the amount of application which can be en- dured by a careful observation of nature's laws. CARELESSNESS. That which is commonly regarded as defec- tive memory, is in many instances simply the result of carelessness, which may be manifested by- NATURAL MEMORY. 25 Want of attention; ' * " system ; *' " reflection; " " promptness. Endeavor to bring your mind solely on tlie subject you have in hand. Observe thoroughly what, when, where, how, why, etc. Be systematic ; keep everything in its proper plaee, and jou will save your time and patience when you look for the required article. Accus- tom yourself to give a glance or thought to nec- essary requirements, before proceeding about your business. Be prompt;, do not defer until to-morrow what should be done to-day. Carelessness is often productive of nervous- ness and anxiety. The person who lacks atten- tion, system and promptness, is repeatedly seized with a panic — fearing that something has been forgotton, or mislaid, or omitted — while the careful man, knowing that everything is in order, can look events calmly in the face. ATTENTION. Attention is an important preliminary to mem- ory. Unless we pay attention to what is going on, it is impossible to remember anything about it. The two great causes that tend to destroy 26 NATURAL MEMORY. attention are, External Impressions and Inter- nal Emotions. Thus, suppose a person is nominally listening to a lecture or conversation, he may positively not be hearing it at all; either his attention has been attracted by something he has just seen, and he may be thinking of that; or something said in the address may have aroused a host of associations, may have caused a train of thoughts, and led his mind astray. And mark, if the address is inanimate, dry and without ideas, the distracting influence of ex- ternal impressions will be felt by many listen- ers; if the discourse is spirited and interesting, the internal emotions will act just as powerfully with others. "Well, what can be done to fix the attention? We must establish a mnemonical counter-attraction — fortify our minds with our attention-taking, thought-securing basis of as- sociation, upon which we can arrange and tix our ideas. There are several other minor causes of dis- traction: an unconscious liking for reverie; an indiscreet supply of food, and the existence of bad ventilation. The . latter may often be remedied by opening a door or window, but the other conditions rest with the individual. Cer- tain articles of diet upset some people, or make them drowsy; and over-eating is almost sure to NATURAL MEMORY. 27 have the same effect. Some people appear to think a church the legitimate place in which to let the head go wool-gathering. They willingly allow the mind to wander to the ends of the earth, and then express surprise at not remem- bering the sermon. Keverie is a species of mental dissipation which is, in the length, pre- judicial to the development of intellectual power, and those who wish for improvement, should strive to conquer the habit. The eyes have a great deal to do with attention. If we look about us, we are likely to see many things which may distract us; so it is desirable to keep the eyes on the speaker, if possible, not on bald heads or pretty bonnets — now and then a voice should whisper : ' ' Pay attention !" MENTAL PICTURINa. Perfection of association is that which secures the harmonious action of the greatest number of powers which can be brought into use for the object desired. We may fail from want of articulation, but more frequently forgetfulness arises from imperfectly picturing. Impressions maybe made variously, sometimes thus: The tongue gives an utterance which is conveyed to the ear, the ear-received utterance produces a mental picture which is received by the mind's 28 NATUKAL MEMORY. eje, and the impression on the eye awakens re- flection or mental comment. It often happens that the remark made on a thing is better re- membered than the object itself. Hence the importance of reflection as an aid to memory. A witty remark is often well remembered. A pupil could not tell which arm Nelson, the great English Admiral, had lost, but, on being in- formed, said, "I shall not forget that now; I see it was not the one which was left.'' In the ordinary wa}^ it sometimes happens that things are forgotton, because they can only be seen mentally, or thought about with great diffi- culty. Artificial memory here supplies the means of rendering them retainable. In re- membering, it would be well not to tax one or two particular powers, but to secure an agree- able division of labor by means of artificial memory aids. ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. INTKODUCTORY. There are many natural operations of the mind, which, when properly understood and performed, assist the memory wonderfully. Some of these have long been in use under the names of Mnemonics (derived from a Greek word, meaning to remember), and Artificial Memory, but, owing to the short-sighted policy of the teachers of these methods, who exact a promise of secrecy from their pupils, the systems are not much known to the general public. Books on Memory have certainly been published, but the greater^ part of them are mere advertise- ments of methods taught by their authors, and contain nothing new. Men of genius and high standing have praised and advocated artificial memory aids, and a host of living scholars recommend their use, yet there are persons who, without even investigating the merits of the system, or from thoughtlessness, declaim against the adoption of artificial aids. This is rather amusing, when we consider that reading, writing and printing are but artificial 30 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. means of presenting ideas to tlie memory. What is the written word " memory?" It is an artificial combination of artificial signs, which, by common consent, represents to our memory that particvilar power of the mind artificially named "memory." The antagonists of mnemonics reason to this effect. To bring ideas before the memory by the artificial means of reading, writing and printing, is wise; but to bring the same ideas before the memory by any other artificial mode, is folly. Such able reasoning is, perhaps, too profound to be understood in our unenlightened times, but as we advance, we shall no doubt see more clearly. Others, again, will not listen to the facts that proclaim artificial memory one of the easiest arts to learn, and to apply, but state that they cannot spare the time to master it, or that they will not burden their heads with any more lore. The man who is in a hurry to proceed to a dis- tant place, and is offered a fast horse to take him there, might just as well say, "I have no time to mount the horse," and walk on. Or the man who has to dig a hole in a rocky ground, and is offered a pick to assist him, might with equal reason, reply " I can't burden myself with a pick," and use his fingers. Of this latter ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. dl class was the man who, on going to visit his friend, and not caring to think of the number of the house where his friend lived, because it would bother his head, went to every house in the street to enquire for him. The anti-mnemonist a,nd the other man, will find the following extract from the " Persever- ing Student " applicable to their case. " Seeing that it was highly important to make haste, he delayed as much as possible; and hav- ing great faith in early rising, he lay in bed till twelve, and sat up late. Knowing that he pos- sessed a remarkably sieve-like memory, he poured knowledge into it as fast as possible, in order to obtain a full mind. Desiring to study History, he at once commenced with Hebrew. At the examination, the results were most sat- isfactory, for, on finding himself plucked, he found consolation in the thoug'it that he had not been idle, and decided upon devoting an- other year or two to similar study. He soon fell into indolent habits, however, and became seriousljdll from over application; but, as he may recover before he dies, we will leave him here." Many people use artificial means of aiding the memory, peculiar to themselves. The country lass will often tie a knot on her handkerchief, or a string on her finger, to be reminded of 32 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. some errand or engagement. Tlie city dame will often aid her memory in remembering the number of a house, by selecting words contain- ing the requisite number of letters to represent the figures. No 66 would be recalled by "fin- est houses" — both words having six letters; 34 = ''bad girl" — had ha nng three, Q,nd girliowc letters. These are, however, j)oor methods. The mnemonist uses surer and more system- atical means. Give any person unacquainted with artificial memory a hundred disconnected words or figures to learn. He will find it a long and difficult task, and, unless his memory is exceptionally good, he will, after all, feel uncer- tain whether he can remember them all or not. Give the same task to a mnemonist, and he will grapple with it like a strong man rejoicing in his power. He will find the work easy, and certain of being accomplished. The advantages resulting from the use of this system, aside from its means of aiding the mem- ory, are numerous. It improves the intellect generally, enlarges the imagination, gives con- fidence, and diminishes the probability of over- taxing the faculties. It strengthens the judg- ment by enabling a person to keep more facts and knowledge before the mind. It induces a systematic mode of thinking and acting: the ARTIFICIAL MEMOPtY. 38 man wlio uses no method in remembering, holds facts in liis head in a state of confusion, and does not know where to find them; while the mnemonist puts each in its place, and can pro- duce them whenever they are wanted. It saves time : the student who learns in one hour, by artificial memory', what under ordinary circum- stances would have taken him five hours or more to master, has saved the difterence in time. This spare time he may devote to further stud- ies, or to exercise. The classmate who strains his brain by useless repetitions, and languishes for want of the necessary exercise to refresh his head and body, sees with envy and astonish- ment that his comrade, w^ho is considered to have a poorer head than himself, not only sur- passes him in accuracy and amount of knowl- edge, but finds time for recreation. It serves to fix the attention: a sprightly, interesting- subject is sure to secure the attention; but, unfortunately, there are a great many abstract and dry matters that will, in spite of our best efforts, send us ''wool-gathering." The pleasant mode of using artificial memory will greatly counteract this by making the subject more lively. Further, by enabling us to dispose of the ideas and facts presented, we find ourselves in a position to pay more attention to minor, or to succeeding details. AETIFICIAL MEMORY. CHAPTER I. ASSOCIATION. Association of ideas is the principal agency of artificial memor}^, and its motto : Link tlionglit with thought, and think of the impression. The power of association to call up forgotten cir- cumstances must be well known to every one. The knot on the handkerchief, or the string on the finger, serves to recall the errand or engage- ment that might otherwise have escaped the memory. What a host of remembrances are brought to life by a visit to the home of your childhood! Every house, every view, appears loaded with incidents that perhaps never en- tered your thoughts from the time you left their scene until you now return, years older and wiser. You approach the moss-covered old oak, and notice in the bark a nearly overgi^own mark that recalls some act of boyish mischief, or, to be more charitable, some memorial. You wander bv the stream, and a tiny "forget-me-not" meets ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 35 your eye. Instantly there rush tlirougli your memory the scenes of the day when, with a voice trembling from emotion, you offered the flower to one who was dearer to you than every- thing else. A song, a glimpse, a mere trifle, will bring old ideas fresh before you. In com- pany, where the conversation is j)i'etty diversi- fied, you may often hear persons illustrate this association by exclaiming, "Ah, that reminds me !" some remark having roused a slumbering incident. This serves to show that the well known tends to call iiip the less known. Artificial memory is the art of using this association in a systematic manner: to connect with well known facts those that we wish to remember, so that by referring to the known facts we may be able to recall the less known ones connected with them. To form mental pictures is the only exertion required of the student, and will be found very pleasant. When there is no connection between the words to be committed to memory, it is difficult to retain them; we must, therefore, establish a connection, and link one word with another. Try to remember the following words by read- ing them over once only : cow Mississippi bridge storm coat apples 36 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. pins legs tree house . cellar woman stars life You will probably find it difli,cult. Well, form a connection; link the words together, taking care that you form a clear, vivid picture — one that you will thoroughly realize in your mind, before you leave it. By a little practice you will acquire a wonderful facility in pictur- ing. You may link the words as follows : A coiv swimming across the Mississippi (imagyje that you actually see a cow swimming and^' splashing in the river) because the bridge had been destroyed by a storm (fancy that you see before you a bridge ruined by a storm, and consider this the reason for the cow's swimming the river, instead of walk- ing across), wore a coat (fancy a cow with a coat on), which was full of apples with pins stuck in them (imagine that jou see this); in running, the apples knocked against Her legs, which so frightened her that she ran up against a t7xe (picture) growing by the side of a house, and tumbled downjnto the cellar, falling right upon a.^MfQ^ia)}, and causing her to see more sto^^s^than she ever saw in her lije before (imagine that you are standing near by, and observing tliese curious incidents). AETIFICIAL MEMORY. 37 Connecting the words in some sucli absurd manner, you will find no difficulty in naming them as you mentally review the picture formed. Try another list of words : man lOJ) money J) en summer coal hat tanner eggs window crowd stones palace river Ind connect them somewhat like this: A man V who looked like a fop, and made money by his pen in th« summer, dropped a red-hot coal upon the^t^ of a tanner who was eating eggs, while looking thro' the ivindoio at the crowd that was throwing stones over the palace on the other side of the river. Eeflect upon each picture before you proceed to the next one. Unless you make the picture vivid, you will not remember the words so well; you must imagine that you are an actual spec- tator of the scenes formed in jowc picture, or an actor in them. Write down a number of words at randoin, and form your own connection. A mor^ effectual plan of committing words to memory is^to connect them with a well-known piece of poetry or prose. One containing plenty of nouns is best. Say that your list of words commences with, leaf, fire, giant, crystal, horse, etc., and that your poem begins thus: 38 ARTIFICL\X MEMORY. "Under a spreading chestnut-tree, The village smithy stands; The smith, a mightj^ man is he, With large and sinewy hands." Take tlie first noun in the poem, chestnut-tree^ and connect Zeq/witli it. "A chestnut-trie with but a single leaf,'' will do for a picturd. Fire is the next word, to be connected with V smithy. Imagine a roaring fire in a smitft^, ^'A smith as tall as a giant,'' will do for the following picture. ' Connect man and crys- tal: A man swallowing a crystal. Hands and horse : A horse born with hands iusteapl of hoofs, and so on. Having formed a vivid j^icture of each word in connectioh with the nouns in your poem, you can re- call them by thinking of the words in the verses. Chestnut-tree will recall leaf; smithy will suggest fire; smith, giant, etc. Simple and paltry as this may at first appear, you will find it of great value. Following chapters will contain more complete and methodical plans of remembering words and ideas. ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 39 CHAPTER II. MNEMONIC ALPHABET; MEMORY TABLE. - Before we proceed any further with tlie sys- te^m for remembering words and ideas, we must ^/irn a plan by which to recollect figures. It far easier to remember words than figures, 'ou will not be so likely to forget the word ''street," as the number 6,232, or the name "Franklin," as the figures 539,079; and yet there is a way by which figures can be remem- bered as easily as words : by translating figures into letters, numbers can be formed into words. The first step is to learn the Mnemonic alpha- bet. A careful study of different systems has convinced the author that the alphabet here given is superior to any which he has seen. Let ), and the similar sonnds ] c, . t- i \ Capital J is like a 1 ; ch, [ repiesent 1 j -^ ^^^ ^^^ j.^^_ lrA« strokes 40 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. /, aud its subdued sound | 5 ! The letter / and r are both found in the word five; V is the Roman tioiire for 5. S, and the similarly sounding letters c (soft) «5 and its sharp sound q, and its similar sounds h, c (hard), g (hard), and Uff. J The letter s is the ^ J chief sound in the } word six; capital writ- ten C looks like a 6. yy J Capital L inverted, is ' 1 like a 7. ^ j Ccipital B is like an ^ ]8. The letter n is the f. J chief sound, and/)nl^ 1 consonant, in the word ; *- 1 nine. 1^ Capital Q is like a 0; c is also like it. O^ Yowels are not reckoned ; neither is iv nor h, on account of tlieir being silent in many words. It must be borne in mind that we always go by sound, and not by spelling. The word ccdm we pronounce as if spelled halim; cough, as if spelled hof; night as nite; giddiness as gid-i-ness; notion as noshim, etc. The reason for this is that, when a figure has been translated into a word, and you wish to reconvert it, you may have no trouble about the spelling of the word. Some might forget how hiight is spelled, and get confused when trying to translate it into a ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 41 figure. Phonetic spelling prevents the possi- bility of mistakes. Let US fix the alphabet firmly in memory by going over it once more. The figure 1 can be translated into^, as 111 joy; into g, as in George; into the subdned sound sh, as in shade, sure, no- tion; into the sharp sound ch, tcli, as in c7iah% ditch. The figure 2 is represented by t, its Idn- ,dred sounds d and th, as in that, third. The " figure 3 is represented by r, as in I'oiver. The figure 4 is represented by m, as in mmna. The figure 5 is represented by/, and its heavy sound V, as m favor. The figure 6 is represented by s, c (soft), and its hissing sound z, as in cease, zero, iviser. The figure 7 is represented by I, as in lily. The figure 8 is represented by j:>, and its heavy sound h, as in public. The figure 9 is represented by n, as in noon, and, lastly, the cipher (0) is represented by q, h, c (hard), the heavy sound g (hard), and the nasal sound ng, as in coke, quill, gong. The next thing is to translate words into figures, and figures into words, for practice. Arkansas = 30966. The a, being a vowel, is not reckoned; r stands for 3; ^-=0; a is not counted; n stands for 9; s:=::6; a. is skipped; s^^6; rk-ns-s =z 30966 . Missis- si2jpi=i4i66S; m=4; ss, equal to one s 42 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. sound, stands for 6 , ss^G; pp == p = 8 ; 9yi-6'S-ss-pp = 4668. Knouieclge^^ 971; k is not sounded; n=z9; ow is not counted; lz=zl ; dg sounds as/, which equals 1; n-l- dg— 971. Defile — 257; remove = 345; liomehj ^ 47 ; houseivife = 65 ; Californian = 075399, etc. Continue to practice in this way for a short time, either on paragraphs in this book, or in the head, and then try to form w^ords out of figures. For instance, 172 may be rendered into child, shield or jollity; 547 = family, half-a-mile^ foamy ale; 369 = raisin, our so)%, ivar sign; 830 — prong, pork, brig; 83626 = parasites, 'priestess, poor seats; 57496 — fall moons, a few lemons, vile means, etc. Facility in the translation of figures into words, and vice versa, is acquired by just a little practice. If you have to translate, say 57, you take the representing letters/ or z; and I, and, commencing with the vowels in their order, a, e, i, o, u, y, run over them quickly in con- junction with the consonants', like this: fal — fall; fel— fell, — feel; f il — fill; fo I —foal, —fool; f u I — full; and then v a I — vale; v i I — no word, v yl — vile; again, hovl = hovel, etc. Running them over like this, you can stop at the most approjDriate word, and fix upon that ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 43 to represent tlie figures. When you have formed the figures into words, you should associate them with each other, or with some piece of poetry, etc. by making a vivid picture; you will then be able to remember figures with as much ease as w^ords. There are many cases, however, when it will be found difficult to form a good picture of any length, or, when several pictures have been made, to recall the leading words that will sug- gest the other parts; in many instances you may have one word only to remember, and require some permanently fixed picture words to con- nect with. , The following table of words suit- able for picture-making will supply this want. These words are to be used as "memory -pegs," on which to hang facts, ideas or words, or as "pigeon-holes," into which to place them; so that, by referring to any one of them, you may find the facts attached. The table is composed of words representing the numbers from 1 to 100, and may be extend- ed by the pupil as occasion requires. If the figure alphabet has been mastered, you will find no difficulty in committing the table to memor}^ by reading it over carefully once; and once learned, it will serve through a lifetime as a means of remembering, wdth ease and certainty, a thousand matters which may be desirable to know. u ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. ]viem:ory Key 1 Shoe 2 Toe 3 Hair 4 Ham 10 Jig 11 Judge 12 Shot 13 Chair 14 Jam 20 Dog 21 Ditch 22 Tooth 23 Door 24 Dome 30 Eock 31 Wretch 32 Eod 33 Warrior 34 Koom 40 Mug 41 Match 42 Mouth 43 Moor 44 Mummy 50 Fig 51 Fish 52 Fight 53 Fire 54 Foam 60 Sack 61 Sage 62 City 63 Czar 64 Swim 70 Lock 71 Leech 72 Lad 73 Lyre 74 Lamb 80 Pick 81 Bush 82 Boat 83 Bear 84 Beam 90 Neck 91 Niche 92 Naiad 93 Norway 94 Name ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 45 TABLE. 5 View 6 Saw 7 Hill 8 Bee 9 Hen 15 Shave 16 Cheese 17 Jail 18 Ship 19 Chain 25 Dcve 26 Dice 27 Towel 28 Tub 29 Den 35 Eoof 36 Eose 37 Bail 38 Eope 39 Eain 45 Muff 46 Mouse 47 Mule 48 Map 49 Moon 55 Fife 56 Face 57 File 58 Fop 59 Fan 65 Safe 66 Sauce 67 Seal 68 Spy 69 Sun 75 Leaf 76 Lass 77 Lily 78 Lip 79 Lane 85 Beef 86 Bus 87 Pill 88 Puppy 89 Pin 95 Knife 96 Nose 97 Nail 98 Nap 99 Nun 46 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. With tlie table all tlie drudgery of the system is surmounted; you have only to apply what has already been learned. Feats of memory, which the world at large would consider beyond human power, will now be easy to perform. Key will do for ; k, the only consonant in the word, representing 0, according to the alphabet. Shoe will do for 1; the only consonent sound, sli, representing 1. Toe stands for 2 (^=^2); Bair—3 (r=3); Ham = 4: («i=4); Vieio—5 {v=5); ditch =.21 (d-tch = 2-l): safe -^65 (s-f==6-5); nail =^97 (^n-l=9-l). And so on. The words in the table being formed by a translation of the figures against which they stand, will at once be understood and remembered, and may be extended beyond 100 by a similar process of translating. Since it is necessary to have the table, or the first part of it, run fluently on tlie tongue, in order that there may be no hesitation when a "peg" is wanted, it would be well, if only for practice, to form a series of pictures of the first twenty or thirty words, which will be most in use. You might commence thus: Finding a /te// in my shoe, under the big toe, I enveloped it in hair, and hid it in a ham, which I placed on vieio by the old saiv on the hill, where a hce and a heii were dancing ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 47 a jig, etc. You can picture tlie words thus: stands for l^ey — the handle of a 'key is like a 0; 1 stands for shoe — a one-legged man has only one sJioe; 2 stands for toe — we have two big toes, or tivo sounds like toe; 3 stands for hair — hah' is like a bushy tree; 4 stands for ham — imagine a big four written on it; and so on. This mode, however, of learning the table, not one in twenty will require to use; for the translation of the figures, aided by a vivid pic- turing of the word, will serve to fix it in mem- orv. 48 ARTIFICIAL MEMOHY. CHAPTEK III. HOW TO REMEMBER WORDS. Having mastered tlie table, or as much of it as you chose to learn, you will be shown how to apply it, so as to remember any number of words after reading or hearing them once. Take these words as an example : magpie plank battle boat mud sea thistle rum pole sheep tea reef woman pig candy bottle silk crystal iron carpet window gravel fire stocking estate street rope palace flowers tiger boy cloth # frog horse ear stream cottage bread monkey knife powder promenade mountain hat Connect each soap, etc word with one of the pegs in the table, by means of a picti lire. The first word in the list is guy\ connect it with peg 1, ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 49 which is slioe. In this ilhistration we skip peg 0, for reasons given below. Make a vivid pic- ture of it; use your imagination. Do not be particular with regard to the character of your picture; the more absurd it is, the better you will remember it. A ridiculous thing will strike the mind more than any ordinary event. The pictures here given as an illustration are the first that suggested themselves to my mind, and 'the pupil can, no doubt, form better ones. But mind, do not read the words of your picture naerely; imagine that you actually see the scenes described, that you take a part in them. Associate guy with shoe. Fancy a guy with only one slioe. Next planh with toe. Imagine that you get into a rage, and kick your toe through a .thick j^lcinJc. Next follows boat, to be joined to Jiair. Picture to yourself a hoat, loaded with human A«iV, sailing past. Magpie and ham: a thievish magpie flying away wdth your breakfast ham. Battle and vieio: a battle of which you have a view from an eminence. Mud and satv: a sa^v sticking in the mud. 'Se-i and hill: a green hill in the middle of the sea. Thistle and bee: a bee trying in vain to get sweet from a thistle. Bum and hen: a hen getting drunk on rum. Pole and jig: a man dancing ixjig on a pole. 50 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. Sheep and Judge: a judge sitting on a sheep. Tea and shot: on opening a packet of tea to find it adulterated with shot. Beef and chair: a chair washed on to a reef. Woman and Jam: a looman making ,/«??! . Pig and shave: a p)^9 running into a barber shop to get a shave. Candy and cheese: a cheese made of candy. Bottle a.nd Jail: the bottle is the chief supporter of the jail. Silk and sA/p; a sA?"^ with sails of silk. Crystal and chain: Si chcdit of crystal. Carpet and r/o^; a t/or/ tearing up a carpet. Gravel and ditch: a c/^Vc/i filled up.^ with gravel. Iron and tooth: insert a tooth of iron. Windoiv and c/oor; a house without windoiv or c/oo?\ Fire and dome: the ffo/^e on fire. Stocking and cfove; a dead cfoi'e in a stocking. Estate and c/ice; losing an estate on ; a tub hanging by a rope. Tiger and den: going into a den and falling on a tiger. F')wg and rock: a live frog in a rock. Palace and wretch: a wretch breaking into the p)cdace. Boy' a.nd rod: a Z>o^ balancing a rod on his chin. Horse and tvarrior: a ivarrior getting his Aorse killed under him. Floioers and room: a room dressed with flowers. Cloth and 7'Oo/'; a ?^oo/* made of hvodid-cloth. Ear and rose: wearing ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 61 a rose in her ea7% instead of an earring. Stream and rail: crossing tlie stream on a ■ single rail. Cottage and ro^^e; an old cottage held togetter by a rope. Two or more words may be connected with one peg, without extra trouble. Associate bread, monkey and the peg rain. A monkey mois- tening his bread in the rain. Powder , moun- tain with mug: a mug of poivder blowing np " a mountain. Knife, promenade, hat with niatch: a man taking a promenade, with a , burning match and a bare knife stuck in his hat. Soap and mouth: slipping a piece of soap into your mouth, instead of sweetmeat. Your list being committed to memory by such picturing as this, 3^011 have only to think of the pegs, which you can always do, and they will at once suggest the word or words associated with each of them. shoe recalls g^^y toe • plank hair boat ham magpie view battle saw mud hill sea bee thistle hen rum 52 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. j^g C I pole judge sheep shot tea chair reef jam ii woman - shave I ( pig cheese I c candy jail i( bottle ship ( c silk chain i( crystal dog C ( carpet ditch C( gravel tooth ( ( iron door (C window dome ii fh-e dove i i string dice i i estate towel i t street tub ii rope den i i tiger rock i i . frog wretch palace rod I i boy warrior horse room flowers roof ii cloth rose ii ear rail it stream AKTIFICIAL MEMORY. 53 rope ram mug match mouth cottage j bread ( monkey J powder ( mountain ( knife -]hat ( j)romenade soap This shows that by means of the table you can instantly remember any number of words, idiOft«saor facts, in any order that you wish. You may repeat them backwards or forwards, tell the 25th word, the 15th, the 87th, or any one required. If you are asked to name the 28th word, you think of (2-8==t-b=) tuh, which re- calls rope, tte 42d peg is moidli (4-2^m-th), which recalls soap. If you wish to know what number in the list fire is, fire will at once recall dome, which is. the 24th peg. Fire is therefore the 24th word in the list. Had we included peg in the picturing, we would have had to add 1, in order to arrive at the number of the words; by commencing with peg 1, this is avoided. 54 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. CHAPTEE lY. HOW TO REMEMBER FIGURES. Apreceeding chapter has ah-eacly explained the method by which figures are translated into words, so as to be more readily retained. Sup- pose that you wish to remember the number of a house, say, 238 Market street; by translating 238 into the letters t or d, r, h or p, and filling in the vowels, you can form the words tribe, trap, trip, troupe, drop, dear hoy, tow-rope, etc., and associate one of them with Market street: taking a trip through the market', a troupe performing in the market, etc. Or, in case the whole pic- ture should slip out of memory, connect it with a peg, thus: key lost in a trap, "wMe passing through the market. Key, which you can always think of, will recall the words associated with it, viz: Market, which you know means Market street; and trap, which you wall translate into the number. You may translate 293 into tanner; 176 into jails; 458 into move up; 3G81 = rosehush; 8760 = pull a scoio; 5491 = half my niche ;^ 13940 =: a cherry in a mug; 572359 = flig^^ly raven; 192 = chant: 796 = lines; 248 = damp; 663 = saucer; 349 = ermine; 696 = sins; 350 = roofing; 486 = maps. ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 55 HOW TO COMMIT A LONG SERIES OF FIGURES TO MEMORY. Let US take a list of fifty-one figures, and see if we cannot learn them in a very short time : 363 273 806 617 323 642 59l'700 384 906 157 386 756 613 942 478 320. They seem pretty formidable as they stand, bili-bj appb'ii^o tl^^ system, the task becomes easy, and would be so if -the list were twice as lon^. , Separate the figures into groups of three, by pencil strokes. Then translate each group into a word or words, and apply your memory pegs to each group in its order. By arranging the figures in groups of three each, jou will be able to name the 25th, the 12th, the 50th, or any one required; if this is not desired, you may form words representing one, two or more figures, as they happen to suggest themselves : The first group, 363, may be rendered into Jiorse- hah% and connected with j)6g Ij ^ ^^^o^ stufi'ed with horse-hair. The second group, 273, may be formed into tiller, and joined to toe; the captain holding the tiller with his toe. Make the picture vivid; imagine that you actually see the things described ! 56 AETIFICIAL MEMOKY. Next, 806 = hooks, to connect with hair', some hooks tied together by a single hair. 617 = satchel; a boy carrying a ham in his satchel. 323 :=: lur'der; a ivriter de- scribing a romantic viezt;. 642 = smith; a blacksmi^/i using a sa^t; on a piece of iron. 591 ^ funny show; a funny show taking phice on a 7a^/. 700 = oil-cake; a ?)ee suck- ing an oil-cake. 383 = rohher; a rohher stealing a hen.^. 906 ^ n«(/.s; some miser- able Ipoking nag§ dancing a jig. '^^157==: shovel; a judge reduced to work with a shovel. 386 = rohes; the kingly rohes riddled with shot. 756 = leaves; grandfather's chair adorned with green leaves. 613 = sea shore; a boy eating jam found on the sea shore. 942 = neiv mode; I discover a new mode to shave. 478 = my lip; holding a big cheese on my lip. 320 = red cow; a red coio tear- ing down the jail. You have now only to think of the peg, which will be sure to recall the figure in the picture. Toe will recall tiller, which stands for 273 (t = 2; 1 = 7; r=z:3). Judge will suggest shovel = 157. If you are asked to name the eleventii figure, which is the middle figure of the fourth group, you think of peg 4, ham; this will sug- gest satchel ^zz Qll , of which 1 is the middle ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 57 figure. The forty-fit'tb figure (divide 45 by 3), is the last figure in group fifteen, peg 15, shave will recall neiv mode=^M2, of which 2 is the last figure. This process may appear a little complicated at first, but, if you know the alphabet well, it ''^ ought, to be very easy. Practice will make you ^expert, besides greatly benefiting your imagina- * tiv^'and other faculties. i m 58 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. CHAPTER Y. HOW TO REMEMBER DATES. To recollect dates has liitlierto been a dry and difficult task to the student. By following the method here giyen, he will find it trans- formed into an easy and interesting one. In trying to bring to mind some line of poetry, its first word, syllable, or even letter, is often found sufficient to recall it. This fact is largely made use of in remembering dates. Of the first word, syllable or letter of the name of the event to be remembered form a phrase or word that will suggest the event, and at the same time bear some relation to another word or phrase formed by a translation of the date. If you wish to remember the date of the dis- covery of America, 1492, and the name of the discover, Columbus, you may do so in this way: America has a mount that looks like a column; America will recall the picture of the 7770i«?i=492, looking like a column, which will suggest Columbus. In modern chronology, there is no necessity for noticing the thousand, therefore 492 will be sufficient to recall the whole date, 1492. Again, "America made in- ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 69 dependent, 1776," conld be rendered into American Indians dislike lilies. The first sylla- ble of Indians will suggest independence; lilies = 776=: 1776. When you have a series of dates to learn in a given order, you may connect them with the pegs, taking care to make the relation between the peg, the event, and the date as close as pos- siLIe, in order that the impression may be re- tailed . Should there be several kings of the same name in your lesson, you must indicate which one is meant, either by giving him an attribute, in translating the number into a word, or by giving the name an end-consonant that will stand for the number. Louis the XIY =: Low chum; Louis II z=^Loid — here L will be sufficient to recall Louis, while t will suggest the 11. In order to illustrate my meaning fully, I sub- join a list of events from the history of Eng- land, with their dates, rendered into this system. Events. Dates. Pegs, i f To dance on one toe is easier Augustine lands 596 shoe [ ^4 w.gnsfus exacting fines ^ \ irom all who wore shoes. Danes lands 787 toe , ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^,^^^^_ Egbert crowned 827 hair i ^ ^^^^'^^'y Poodle breaking the ^ \ crown of an egg-pot. {Ham would be put to the hlush to learn the king's alphabet. 60 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 886 view View of babies riding an ox. -inno ^ „, ^ Danes at mass wear a cock- 1002 sawj^^^i-j^^^^^^^^ in«fl V.-11 J ^ ^^^^ meeting its doom in lUbb mil -j ^j^g ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^.^^^ 1096 bee Bees taking a cruise in canoes. . -o 1 i. 1 J 1 1 rro 1 ^., i A. lien killing a child with a A Becket murdered 1172 hen -j ^^^^.^^^ Oxford University- Massacre of Danes, Doomsday-book First Crusade Third Crusade Elizabeth crowned James I crowned Charles I crowned Charles II crowned James II crowned 1192 • • \ Three Crusaders dancing a ■• ^ ]jig in a shanty. 1558inage\^j}^'Xot''"^''^'''^'^'''" 1603 1625 1649 shot \ '^^^^^^^ *^® First bearing a "I scar from a shot. , ^.. (A stiff chair makes a bad ^^^" \couch. (A seaman smearing jam on J^^Mhisc/^ar^. 1685 shave jf'^'l'' *^^ ^^«^^ ^-^ '^*"'^' Wm. & Mary crown'd 1689 cheese ] ^^^^,,f'''^ '^* '^^'''' ^'^^ ^ Anne crowned 1702 jail \p^ f^^J^^ ^^^ ^ P^^««^ ^^ George I crowned 1714 ship Ships all a-jam in the gorge. George II crowned 1727 chain A little chain may be good. George III crowned 1760 dog ] ^^^]^'J ^^'y^^g *« ^^^^ ^ ^^-'^ George IV crowned 1820 ditch ]|^^^,^2/ ^oofc a aem out of a William IV crowned 1830 tooth Victoria crowned 1837 door William took a whim to break his tooth. Victory sticking in a barrel at the door. By reading the pictures you will at once dis- cover the meaning of the different words. Take, for instance, the picture "To dance on one toe AETIFICL\L MEMORY. 61 is easier than to leap a wall.'' Here the peg toe will recall dance — suggesting Danes — and leap a luall, which yon will know how to translate into 787, the date of their landing. In picturing "Oxford University founded 886,'' you take your peg^, which here happens to be view, and connect with it the most appropriate translation of 886 (babies, puppies, papers, etc.), as well as some name that will suggest Oxford. " Vieiv of hahies riding an ox," is the picture that occur- red to me. A judge giving a little hit to a fife- hoy. The peg judge recalls a little hit — suggest- ing Elizabeth, as pronounced by children — and fife^oy — representing 558, which, you will be sure to know, means 1558. An oil-coat got a person in jail once. Jail will call up an oil-coed, which will readily suggest Anne, 702 ; an being quite sufficient to indicate Anne, the queen, especially if your list for the occasion is com- posed of sovereigns only. A little chain may be good. The first letter in good will recall George, and the last indicates his number; little will reveal 727. ^Tien a list of kings, etc., has to be learned, it will be found well to form a composition, in which the commencing letter of the verbs or nouns represents the initial letter of the king's name, thus : William I, William II, Henry I, 62 AETIFICIAL MEMORY. Stephen, Henry II, Eicliarcl, John, Henry III, could be remembered by ''a Weak Woman Had Stolen a Hat from a Kicli Jew, whose Head,' etc. The student will find it interesting, as well as beneficial, to exercise his ingenuity in pre- paring the pictures. A little practice gives readiness. ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 63 CHAPTEK YI. HOW TO FIND THE DAY OF THE WEEK ON WHICH ANY DAY OF THE MONTH FALLS, FOR ANY NUMBER OF YEARS, PAST OR FUTURE. Take an almanac for any year, and see on wliicli day of every montli the first Sunday falls. Of. the name of each month form a word, which from its sound will suggest that month, and let its last consonant indicate the date of the first Sunda}^ For instance, the first Sunday of January, 1873, falls on the 5th. The first syllable of the word Geneva will suggest January, while its last consonant, '^ = 5, indicates the date of the first Sunday. The fin fight suggests February, and the last consonant sound indicates that the Sun- day falls on the 2nd. The list of the months can be formed thus : The first Sunday, January 5 th == Geneva. (( February 2nd = fight. cc March 2nd =: mart. I c April 6th = apes. ( ( May 4th = mama. i I June 1st = judge. (( July 6th = Julius. il August 3rd = auger. 64 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. The first Sunday, September 7th = sail. " Octobe'r 5th = octave. " November 2nd = note. December 7th = dell. You may commit the names to memory by connecting them, thus: In Geneva town there was 2i fight in the mart be- tween some apeSj in which the maina of Judge Julius took a part with an auger and an old sail, making them squeal an octave note higher, and return to their dell. When you wish to know on what day of the week any day of the month falls, proceed as follows : From the given day of the month substract the number indicated by the last consonant of the name for that month; from the rest sub- tract 7, or a multiple of 7, as 14, 21, 28; the re- mainder will be the day of the week — Sunday being reckoned no day, Monday first day, Tues- day second day, "Wednesday iJivrd day, Thursday fourth day, 'Fvidsij fifth day, Saturday sixth day. You may wish to ascertain on what day of the week the 19th of April falls. The name for April is ajjes, of which the last consonant s=6. Take this 6 from the 19tli, and 13 remain; sub- tracting 7 from this, leaves 6 = Saturday, which is the sixth day, as stated above. The 19th of ARTrFICIAL MEMOEY. 65 April is therefore a Saturday. Take the 29th of October. The name for October is octave, the last consonant v = 5. Substracting this from 29th, leaves 24; from this deduct 21 — the near- est multiple of 7 to 24 — and 3 will remain, which equals Wednesday. When the date of the day required is smaller than that indicated by the final consonant of the name for the month, add 7, before commencing, instead of subtracting it afterwards. Take 2nd May. The name for May is mama, the last m. indicating 4; as this cannot be substracted-from 2, you must first add 7, which makes 9; now de- duct the 4, and 5 is left, which shows the 2nd of May to be a Friday. For dates in 1872, up to February 29th, 1 must be subtracted, before commencing your calculation as above. Previous to that day, subtract 2. For dates in 1871, subtract 3. For 1870, subtract 4. For 1869, subtract 5. For 1874, add 1 before commencing. For 1875, add 2. For 1876, add 3, up to twenty-ninth Febru- ary; after that date, add 4. For 1877, add 5. These calculations depend upon the fact that the year 1873 is taken as a basis; if any other year is taken, a different addition and subtrac- tion for other years must be made, as the stu- dent will find on examining the almanacs. 66 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. A shorter mode of remembering the dates of each Sunday throughout the year, is to take the date of the first Sunday of each month, translate into letters, and form a word for every three months. Take the dates above given: January 5th, February 2d, March 2d=:522, of which you can form fated. April 6th, May 4th, June lst= 64:l:=zsmash. July 6th, August 3d, September 7tli=:637==sorre?. October 5th, November 2d, December 7th=527==/oo^/w^?. Fix these words by means of a picture, and you will have days and dates at your immediate command. HOW TO REMEMBER THE NUMBER OF DAYS IN THE DIFFERENT MONTHS. You may perhaps have heard the piece of rhyme by which schoolboys keep this in mind. Thirty days have November, April, June and September; February twenty-eight alone, The rest all thirty-one. Another mode they have is to count the knuckles. You commence on the knuckle of the first or fore-finger, and say, January. Then you descend into the hollow between the fore and middle-finger, and say, February; up on the knuckle of the middle-finger, March; down into the next hollow, April; up on the knuckle of the ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 67 third or ring-finger, May; down into the hollow June; up on the last knuckle, that of the fourth or little finger, July. Now return the way you came, commencing on the last knuckle, and say, August; down into the hollow, September; up on the knuckle of the ring-finger, October; down into the hollow, November; and up on the knuckle of the middle-finger, December. You will observe that the months of 31 days all come on the knuckles, while months of only 30 days, and February, fall into the hollows. The above modes of remembering the number of days in the month are so good, that you will scarcely care for any mental picturing to aid you. BIBLE TEXTS. Indicate the chapter and verse by means of letters, and connect them with the name of the book, or part of it. Moses ii, 7=motley. Acts V, ll=active judge, etc. LATITUDES AND LONGITUDES. Proceed in the same manner as with texts. 68 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. STATISTICS, ASTRONOMICAL MAGNITUDES, LOGA- RITHMS, ETC. Say that tlie population of the United Stated is 38,567,450. Translate this into ruh off a slim fog or a rope vessel may have a hog, and attach it to the subject before you, or to a peg. The ex- penditure for the year is, say, $70,537,680=rt 'law-giver lies hig or look for a lazy pig. Logarithm 34=1.53148, which can be rendered into your ivhim=^a slioivfor a shampoo, or room^=^ivatch for a jump. CHEMISTRY. Translate the combining properties, or the measurements, into words, and join them to the respective names, or to pegs. ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 69 CHAPTER YII. HOW TO LEARN GEOGRAPHY. Wlien you wish to impress upon your memory the outline of a country, with its rivers and towns, and their position, etc., trace on the map, or on a transparent piece of paper, a face, or else some animal figure that would seem to suit the appearance of the country. Then pro- ceed to indicate the geographical position in some such manner as the following, A human face is here supposed to be drawn upon a map of the world. On the centre of the forehead, yoiire up (Eu- rope.) Before the right ear is t/am-aica. Which makes sick (Mexico) an upper part of the right ear. The right eye is in the Atlantic Ocean. Between the eyebrows we have the Great Desert, Timbuctoo and the river Niger. In the left eye we have neiv beer (Nubia), Which makes a ret/ sea (Red Sea) . The front part of the left ear has been struck by a mad rascal (Madras), leaving a seal on (Ceylon), just below it. Above the left ear is the hit of china (Thibet, China). 70 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. South America is on tlie right cheek bone. A guinea (Guinea) is on the bridge of the nose. St. Helena is nearly in the center of the face. Anci so on to any extent. This plan will not only serve to show the form of the country, but securely fix the names of towns, etc., with their position. A boy will learn more geography in an hour by this pleas- ant method, than he would learn in months by the ordinary hard study. Another plan is to form a striking composi- tion on the country, in which the prominent places are referred to by puns, or similar sounds, like this : ITALY. Italy is my land (Mailand, Milan), cries the tourist (Turin) who, endowed with nice (Nice) genius (Genoa), adopts the lucky (Lucca) mode (Modena) of travelers, passes through the land of the longheardx (Lom- bardy), and enters the very nice (Venice) City of the Sea. If enthusiastic, he pro- claims Eome as the type (Tiber) and flower (Florence) of the land; if prosaic, he pre- fers a mess in (Messina) a sardine (Sardinia) shop, and a nap (Naples) in the shade of the AETIFICIAL MEMORY. 71 silly (Sicily) looking pillars (Palermo) that are gaped at by mariners (Marino) afflicted with liver (Livorno) complaint, etc. If you wisli to retain the names of States in a certain order, take the first or most striking syl- lable in it, form a word, and connect it with the pegs, or with some piece of poetry. A man (Maine) stuffed some neio (New York) moss (Massachusetts) into his shoe (peg). Here three States are connected with the peg shoe. GRAMMAR, BOTANY, NAMES, ETC. Here, again, punning, or the use of words of a similar sound, is of great service. If you wish to recollect the meaning of, say, equinox, find some word of similar sound to it, and identify the two : equi^^equal, nox^=^night. We here suppose that the pupil is ignorant of the language from which this and other words may be derived. Again, seraph (the highest order of angels) might be likened to giraffe (the highest animal in stature). Phrenology fmdi^ a similarity in free knoivledge. Nemos=neio moss. A per- son's name may be well remembered by linking an appropriate word, suggesting his name, etc., to some observed peculiarity in his dress, man- ner, occupation or appearance; Mills the banker=ia banker who got rich by running flour 72 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. mills, etc. Greeley the journalist=the groivling ivriter. ERRANDS, ENGAGEMENTS, ETC. Connect the most suggestive word or name in your list with the pegs, or make one picture of them. Get newspaper; order coals; call on Smith; post the letter; buy a bouquet; send telegram; buy boots; get watch mended, etc. One picture could be formed thus : Taking a neiospaper filled with coals to the hlixcksmith, I found him reading a letter that had arrived in a bouquet; this letter con- tained a telegram telling him to buy hoots l^r all loatch makers in town. The connection with the memory-pegs might be made like this : Found a slioe enveloped in a newspaper. My toe burned by a red-hot coal. The hair of the blacksmith singed. Receiving a ham by the j)ost. Vieio of a stage loaded with 6oi( 5' ^^e/s set in ^e?e^ra?7i-paper. Found a boot filled with watches in the old saiv-mW].. POETRY. You must take a clear view of the writer's description, not passing it over carelessly or ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. 73 attending merely to the sound, but noting the ideas, and picturing as you proceed. You must place yourself as an actor or spectator of the events described. Note the chief or commenc- ing word of each line, couplet or verse, and connect it with your pegs. Take this passage as an illustration : When the humid storm-clouds gather Over all the starry spheres, And the melancholy darkness Gently weeps in rainy tears, 'Tis a joy to press the pillow Of a cottage-chamber bed, And to listen to the patter Of the soft rain over head. To insure a recollection of this, you have to imagine yourself an actor in the scene : to fancy that you actually see the storm-clouds gathering over the starry shy you have been admiring; that it, as a consequence, becomes melancJioly dark, and rainy tears fall gently from the clouds; how pleasant it now is to press the pilloiu in your rustic cottage-chamher bed, and how you lie there listening to the ^^iiij -patter of that soft rain over your head. As you proceed, you may connect storm-cloud with shoe: a cloud formed like a shoe.- Tears with toe: letting hot tears fall on your bruised toe. Pilloiu stuffed with hair, etc. 74 ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. PROSE. Observe the important and striking words in eacli sentence, and connect them with the i^egs, while picturing the events as vividly as possible. LECTURE, SERMON, CONVERSATION, ETC. Proceed as above, or make short notes on a piece of paper of the chief ideas and points, while connecting the details with that chief word by means of picturing. HOW TO LECTURE WITHOUT NOTES. ^ggm^ Select the most suggestive words in each paragraph or sentence of your projected speech, and connect them with pegs or poetry. You have then merely to follow up the pegs in their order to obtain the matter for your remarks. Clergymen may associate a wdiole sermon with the w^ords of a chapter before them, or wdth ''Our Father." When you wish to commit anything to mem- ory permanently, it will be found best to con- nect it with a piece of poetry or prose with which you are well acquainted, leaving the memory- AETiriCIAL MEMORY. 75 pegs free for subjects that you wisli to remem- ber merely for a short time. It would be beyond the limits of this small book to enter fully into the application of the system to every branch of science. The reader having been shown how to remember, with ease and certainty, words, ideas, figures and dates, and how to proceed with studies, etc., will find it highly advantageous to exercise his own inge- nuity in applying the method to any particular study or subject that he may wish to master. ^ * A. L. Bancroft & Co., BOOKSsr^LIBRARY. HISTORY, TRAVEL, BIOGRAPHY, FICTION, SCIENCE, FARMING and GARDENING, MECHANICS' MACHINERY, MINING and ASSAYING. The Book for everybody — HENDERSON'S Lightning Calcnlator. Every young man seeking a business education, should have a copy of this book. 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