Assimilative Memory Part 14

a.n.a.lYTIC DATE AND NUMBER WORDS.

_When the word or phrase which translates the date or number sustains the relation of In., Ex., or Con., to the event or fact itself, that word or phrase is a.n.a.lytic, and is memorised by merely a.s.similating that relation._

Different ways of expressing figures by words, phrases, or sentences that are self-connected to the fact or event will now be given.

1. SOMETIMES ALL THE SOUNDED CONSONANTS OF A WORD OR PHRASE ARE USED.

Room-mates in college are called "chums." Harvard College--the oldest Collegiate Inst.i.tution in America--really introduced "the chum age" in America. The formula for the date of its foundation in 1636 may be thus expressed--Harvard College founded; {th}e {ch}u{m} a{g}e [1636].

The annual production of iron in America is said to be _six million four hundred and twenty-seven thousand, one hundred and forty-eight_ tons.

These figures may be a.n.a.lytically expressed thus: "Hu{g}e i{r}o{n} we {g}e{t} {r}ou{gh}" [6,427,148 tons].

The great wall of China is 1,250 miles long. This may be expressed thus: "{Th}ey {n}ow a high Wa{l}l see" [1250].

A characteristic of Herbert Spencer is the accuracy of his definitions.

His birth, in 1820, may be indicated by this significant phrase: "He {D}e{f}i{n}e{s}" [1820].

2. SOMETIMES ONLY THE INITIAL CONSONANTS OF THE WORDS OR PHRASES OR SENTENCES ARE USED.

Caius Julius Caesar was born 100 B.C., and he died 44 B.C. His birth may be expressed by the phrase, (1) "{Th}e (0) {S}tripling (0) {C}aesar;" and his death by a phrase which declares that his death was the remote result of his crossing the Rubicon, thus: (4) "{R}ubicon's (4) {R}evenge."

Marcus Tullius Cicero was born 106 B.C., and he died 43 B.C. His birth: (1) "{T}ullius (0) {C}icero's (6) {Ch}ildhood." His death: (4) "{R}emove (3) {M}arcus." [In allusion to the order for his death.]

The height of Egypt's greatest pyramid is 479 feet, or (4) "Wo{r}ld's (7) {G}reatest (9) {P}yramid."

The city of Melbourne was named after Lord Melbourne in 1837, or (3) "{M}elbourne (7) {Ch}ristened."

It will be convenient to consider all compound names of cities or places as if they were single words, using only the initial consonant of the first of the names, as (2) {N}ew-York, or (2) {N}ew-Amsterdam, or (2) U{n}ited-States, etc.

New York City [at first known as New Amsterdam] was settled by the Dutch in 1626, or New York founded: (1) "{D}utchmen (6) {Ch}ose (2) {N}ew-Amsterdam (6) {J}oyfully."

Virginia was settled at Jamestown in 1607. This date may be a.n.a.lytically expressed thus: (1) "{Th}en (6) {J}amestown (0) Wa{s} (7) {C}olonized."

The exact population of the United States, according to the census of 1880, may be expressed through the initial consonants of the following sentence: "A (5) {L}ate (0) {C}ensus, (1) 'Eigh{t}y's' (8) {F}urnishes (9) {P}recise (2) U{n}ited-States (0) {S}overeign (9) {P}opulation," or 50,189,209.

The _exact_ population of the United States declared in June, 1890, commonly called the _census of "ninety,"_ was stated as _sixty-two millions six hundred and twenty-two thousand two hundred and fifty_, or "A (6) {G}eneral (2) E{n}umeration (6) whi{ch} (2) U{n}doubtedly (2) I{n}dicates (2) '{N}inety's' (5) {L}arge (0) {C}ensus." 62,622,250, or for the last three figures we could say: (2) U{n}ited States' (5) {L}arge (0) {C}ensus.

Before the close of the year 1890 an official census of the Whites and Indians on the Indian Reservations added 243,875 to the above number, making the total population of the United States in 1890, 62,866,125. A (6) {G}eneral (2) E{n}umeration (8) O{f}ficially (6) S{h}ows (6) {J}ust (1) {Th}e (2) {N}umber (5) {L}iving. Now (1895) it is computed to be 67,000,000 [to express the round numbers of millions, we could say, (6) {J}ust (7) {G}overnment or (6) {Ch}arming (7) {C}ountry].

The birth of Herbert Spencer, in 1820, may be expressed thus: (1) A{d}vent (8) o{f} (2) I{n}fant (0) {S}pencer, or (1) {Th}e (8) {F}uture (2) "U{n}knowable" (0) {S}pencer, (2) I{n}fant (0) {S}pencer. Several different ways of expressing the _same date_ will be given in a few cases.

It is often convenient for a teacher, and others, to recall the number of a page of a book in which a citation is found. In Prof. William James's Psychology Abridged for Schools and Colleges, the chapter on Habit begins on p. 134, or "(1) {Th}e (3) {M}ould (4) {R}ules;" the chapter on Will begins on p. 415: "A (4) {R}esolve (1) {D}enotes (5) Wi{l}l;" the chapter on Attention begins on p. 217, or "(2) {N}otice (1) A{t}tention's (7) {Q}ualities;" the chapter on a.s.sociation begins on p. 253, or (2) "{N}ow (5) He{l}p (3) {M}emory;" and that on Memory on p. 287, or "(2) I{n}tellect (8) {F}orbids (7) {C}ramming." Prof.

Loisette's New York Office is in Fifth Avenue at No. 237, or "A (2) {N}ew (3) {M}emory (7) {G}iven," or "A (2) {N}ew (3) {M}emory (7) A{c}quired." His London Office was formerly at 37 [a {m}emory {g}ained]

New Oxford Street. It is now at _200 Regent Street, London_ [(2) {N}ow (0) {S}ecure (0) A{s}similation].

3. SOMETIMES THE FIRST TWO CONSONANTS OF A WORD ARE USED.

Sheridan's famous ride occurred in 1864. In dates of the last and present century it is usual to indicate the last two figures of the date. 64, therefore, is all we need express. Formula: Sheridan's ride in 1864--(64) {Ch}ee{r}s; or, (64) {Sh}e{r}idan. The Pennsylvania Whisky Rebellion took place in 1794; or, (94) {B}{r}ewery.

4. SOMETIMES THE FIRST AND LAST CONSONANTS OF A WORD ARE USED, AND SOMETIMES TWO CONSONANTS IN THE MIDDLE OF A WORD.

These devices are rarely resorted to, but if ever used, they must be thoroughly a.s.similated. Battle of Waterloo was fought in 1815; 15 may be found in the _t_ and _l_ of (15) Wa{t}er{l}oo. Herbert Spencer was born, as we have already seen, in 1820. The 20 may be found in the _n_ and _c_ of Spe{n}{c}er.

5. Never, on any account, use the same word to express two different dates; as, its first two consonants for one date and its two middle, or its first and last consonants, to express another date.

6. _Never fail to carefully a.n.a.lyse the relations between the fact or event and its date or number word._

SUBJECT TO THE EXCEPTIONS HEREAFTER NAMED, ALL DATES AND NUMBERS SHOULD BE EXACTLY EXPRESSED IN THE DATE OR NUMBER WORDS.

Alexander the Great was born 356 B.C. and died in a drunken debauch 323 B.C. His birth: (3) {M}acedonia's (5) A{l}exander a (6) {Ch}ild. His death: A (3) {M}acedonian's (2) I{n}ebriation (3) {M}ortal. Several mnemonists of the old school have for the past forty years used the phrase "Rise, Sire," to express the date of the creation of the world, which according to the accepted biblical chronology took place 4004 B.C.

But that phrase, proper enough in the mouths of the sons of Noah, when they found their father lying on the ground in a fit of intoxication, could have no pertinence when applied to the Creator, to the creation in general, or to the creation of this world in particular. A self-connected phrase would, however, express this date as follows: "Creation of the World: (4) Ea{r}th (0) {S}tarted (0) {S}wiftly (4) {R}otating."

_First Exception._--From A.D. 1000 to A.D. 1700 the last three figures of the date should be expressed in the date words. {M}a{r}{s} expresses 340 and could be used to indicate the invention of cannon in (1) 340 by one who knew that Mars was the name of the G.o.d of war in cla.s.sic mythology. The formula would be: "Invention of cannon: (1) 340 {M}a{r}{s}." But this term would have no mnemonic significance to one who knows the word Mars as meaning only one of the planets. Hence the danger--ever to be avoided--of using cla.s.sical allusions in teaching the average student. A (3) {m}artial (4) O{r}gan (0) {S}ways, or {m}urderous a{r}tillery {s}tarted.

_Second Exception._--From A.D. 1700 to the present moment, the last two figures must be expressed in the date words. Many examples will hereafter ill.u.s.trate this exception. In very rare cases, the expression of the last figure in the date word will suffice. We know that Ralph Waldo Emerson and Oliver Wendell Holmes [author of the Autocrat of the Breakfast Table] were born towards the beginning of this century, the former in 1803 and the latter in 1809. The following formulas would give the date of their birth: Ralph Waldo (180)3 E{m}erson; Oliver Wendell Holmes (180)9 "{B}reakfast."

_Third Exception._--In cases where there is no practical utility in comparing one very large number with another, as in the case of the distances of the planets from the sun, mere round numbers may suffice, yet astronomers must know such numbers with exactness. But in regard to all mundane affairs, the pupil must throw off the character of scholar and a.s.sume the license of children, if he attempts to express large numbers, as of populations, &c., by "guessing," or, what is the same thing, by only giving round numbers. The Brooklyn Suspension Bridge is 5989 feet long, and the Forth Bridge, which crosses the Firth of Forth in Scotland, is 8296 feet long. Now, instead of saying that the former is _about_ 5000 feet long, why not say 5989 feet long? [(5) {L}ong (9) {B}ridge (8) O{f} (9) {B}rooklyn.] And instead of saying that the latter is _about or somewhere in the neighbourhood_ of 8000 feet long, why not be exact and say 8296 feet long? [(8) {F}orth's (2) {N}ew (9) {B}ridge (6) {Sh}own. It was completed in 1890.]

No one who has not had experience in dealing with thousands of poor memories, as I have had, can realise the fact that in most cases of poor memories _the facts themselves are often possessed_, but are mostly _unrecallable_ when wanted. I have tried to teach pupils how to find a.n.a.lytic date or number words _without any previous training in In., Ex., and Con._, and 99 of all such attempts have always been failures.

The 100th case, which succeeded, only confirmed the rule. On the other hand, I have always found that these failures become successes after a thorough practical training in In., Ex., and Con., such as I have already given. In fact, I never had a pupil who became proficient in the use of In., Ex., and Con., who did not arrive at the use of a.n.a.lytic number words without any specific directions from me. But I think, on the whole, that it is the better way to _combine_ direct and specific training in a.n.a.lytic number words, with a previous exhaustive general drill in In., Ex., and Con.

The rules hereafter given must be carefully studied and every example painstakingly examined. After studying my formulas let the pupil endeavour in _each case_ to find a better one himself. If the pupil acts on my advice, he will know how to be always _sure_ to think of the needful related or including facts for finding a.n.a.lytic date words, phrases, or sentences.

The different processes for dealing with dates or numbers may be cla.s.sified as follows:--

(1) _Cases where the name of the person, fact, or event gives its date_; as, Birth of the colored orator and politician Frederick {D}ou{g}la.s.s (18)17. This kind of a case is of rare occurrence, and it would be like the charlatanry which has disgraced many former memory systems to allow the pupil to suppose that it frequently happens. A glance at the event, word, or description will quickly tell him if it represents the necessary figures, and if it do not, he must resort to an a.n.a.lytic date word, or phrase, or sentence, whichever he finds most suitable for him.

No one figure alphabet contains the advantages of all others. Each has special advantages in special cases. Whatever figure alphabet, however, is used, the main thing about it is to master it thoroughly.

(2) _Cases where a significant or a.n.a.lytic word or phrase expresses the date or number._ "I{l}l-u{s}a{g}e" expresses the date of the death of Columbus in 1506, as he died in great neglect. The impetuous pupil says: "How can I be sure that this phrase applies to Columbus? Would it not apply to any one who had been ill-used?" Certainly not. It applies only to an ill-used man whose date (birth or death, &c.) was in 1506. If he knows of some other man who was greatly ill-used and who died in 1506, then he must use another a.n.a.lytic phrase for that man. See next paragraph.

Six distinguished persons were born in 1809, yet the date of the birth of each is easily fixed: Darwin, whose princ.i.p.al work was called "Origin of Species;" Gladstone, noted for his vigorous eloquence; Lincoln, who was conspicuous as a binder together of separated States; Tennyson, who was chosen as Poet-Laureate, and who was born at Somersby, England; Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, who early displayed a musical genius, and whose first oratorio was called "St. Paul;" Elizabeth Barrett Browning [_nee_ Elizabeth Barrett], whose poems are distinguished for their subjectivity. The a.n.a.lytic formulas for these different persons born in the same year, 1809, may each differ from the others, thus:

Birth of Charles Darwin {S}{p}ecies (18)09

---- William Ewart Gladstone {S}{p}ellbinder (18)09

---- Abraham Lincoln {S}{p}licer (18)09

---- Alfred Tennyson, {P}oet (180)9 or (0) {S}elected (9) {P}oet or {S}omers{b}y (09)

---- Felix Mendelssohn-{B}artholdy (180)9 or {P}recocious (180)9, or (0) {S}t. (9) {P}aul

---- Elizabeth {B}arret Browning (180)9, or {S}u{b}jective (18)09

1. Do all pupils succeed in finding a.n.a.lytic date or number words without any previous training in In., Ex., or Con.?

2. What proportion succeeded?

3. Does this not confirm the rule?