Aids to Memory/Section VI

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The Local System once thoroughly mastered, the most astounding feats of memory can be performed. Upon its foundation can be reared a superstructure of knowledge which can never be overthrown, for it stands on the rock of localisation instead of the sands of ideal repetition. Much curiosity and wonder are excited by mnemonic experiments, which have sometimes been called mental conjuring, or sleight of brain tricks. A long list of words or figures is written down at the dictation of the audience, and almost immediately reproduced by the mnemonist in any order. The words being numbered consecutively, a particular one demanded is instantaneously given, or the suggestion of a word produces the corresponding number. The figures are grouped in twos or threes, and the experimenter subjected to a similar test. Some thousands of statistics in chronology, history, geography, and science are handed to the astonished audience, who are requested to put questions on any of the facts stated. Arbitrary multiplication tables, and even imaginary alphabets and vocabularies, are committed to memory in one or ​two readings, and difficult pieces of composition recited without a mistake. A summary of the contents of an evening paper, published an hour or two previously, is given with unerring accuracy. Many more experiments might be enumerated if necessary, but these are amply sufficient, and may all be performed by the combined application of association, assimilation, and localisation. By means of the improved system of memory laid down in these pages, the power to perform these wonders may be acquired in a very short space of time.

Our first exercise of Local Memory will be that of learning the names and order of the Phrenological Organs. The process will be explained throughout in order to familiarise the reader with the best modes of localising ideas, and insuring their immediate reproduction.

Exercise 19.—Phrenological Organs.
1. Amativeness.	20. Wit
2. Philoprogenitiveness.	21. Imitation.
3. Concentrativeness.	22. Individuality.
4. Adhesiveness.	23. Form.
5. Combativeness.	24. Size.
6. Destructiveness.	25. Weight.
7. Secretiveness.	26. Colour.
8. Acquisitiveness.	27. Locality.
9. Constructiveness.	28. Number.
10. Self-esteem.	29. Order.
11. Love of Approbation.	30. Eventuality.
12. Cautiousness.	31. Time.
13. Benevolence.	32. Tune.
14. Veneration.	33. Language.
15. Firmness.	34. Comparison.
16. Conscientiousness.	35. Causality.
17. Hope.	xx. New Discoveries.
18. Wonder.	36. Love of Life.
19. Ideality.	37. Appetite for Food.

​The above organs are classified under the following heads. Propensities, 1 to 9. Sentiments, 10 to 21. Perceptions, 22 to 33. Reflective Powers, 34 and 35. New Discoveries of Propensities, 36 and 37. The association of each faculty with its number must prove of considerable advantage, and is no easy task for the natural memory.

Now for a walk in the Garden. A prop against the bee-hive suggests Propensities, and the first of these is amativeness, which is exhibited in the social arrangements of the bee-hive. Philoprogenitiveness, or love of one's progeny or offspring, is rather a hard word. We therefore reduce it to file, which is left on a seat in the arbour. If the word be familiar, we may imagine a parent sitting there caressing a little boy. Concentrativeness is suggested by the consent we gave before receiving a shower-bath under the pump, or by the concentration of the water upon our devoted head. Adhesiveness is a striking property manifested by the garden-chair, probably arising from a practical joke at our expense. Combativeness is presented by two boys fighting over the rain-water tub, at the imminent risk of pitching in. Destructiveness is manifested in the ruined appearance of the flower-bed, secretiveness in the ways of the occupant of the rabbit-hutch, and acquisitiveness in the desire of some one to possess the silver drinking-cup at the fountain. He is now taking a quiz at it! After noticing the beautiful specimen of constructiveness presented by the dial, we come to the tree, from beneath which a pleasing scent proceeds. This informs us we have begun to consider the Sentiments. A gentleman is sitting under the tree, with a bottle of scent in his hand, and exhibits the faculty of self-esteem in his appearance and demeanour.

Proceeding to the Lake, we make the miller's acquaintance at the windmill, and discover that his love of approbation is very prominent. Our friend in the hut is as remarkable for want of cautiousness as the angler ​is for want of benevolence. We find the sportsman exhibiting firmness, the photographer, conscientiousness, and the bather, hope. The splendour of the tomb excites our wonder. The life-buoy we consider an excellent idea, and the conversation in the boat full of wit.

We return to breakfast in the Parlour. We admire the elaborate workmanship of our clock, and think no one can imitate it. Or, if we are in a philosophical mood, we look upon the clock as a good model for human imitation, as it rebukes idleness by being always on the move. The individual who attends to the lamp might well take a lesson from it. The lamp enables us to perceive things, therefore individuality is the first of the Perceptions. The form of the footstool is unique and beautiful, and the size of the sewing-machine prodigious. The easy-chair bears our weight uncomplainingly, while we admire the rich colour of the cheffonier on our left-hand. The locality of the couch could not have been better chosen. The mirror we purchased at the sale has still the number of the lot affixed to the glass. The parrot is a great lover of order, and criticises us when we discuss the events of the day at the table.

Having breakfasted, we take a cigar, and go out into the Field. We spend a great deal of time on the haystack, listening to a tune played by some one in the shed. The rolier is being taken out of its place by two men conversing in a foreign language. A reflector used at night-time in the velocipede suggests the Reflective Powers, and the machine itself defies comparison with any other. The fagots are the cause of a fire breaking out in the field. The last two organs are New Discoveries of Propensities, and are not inserted after Constructiveness because of the confusion which would result in the numbering. Another prop against the hen-house is therefore necessary. The love of life is strongly shown by the chickens when being killed, and an appetite for food is displayed at all times by the dogs in the kennel.

​Repeat the process once more, and it will be found that not only can the thirty-seven ideas be repeated forwards and backwards, but the number of each will suggest the word, or the word the number. This process will greatly strengthen the memory; and in future localisations the idea of a bee-hive, as well as of amativeness, will serve as a connecting link. The more, in fact, that is learnt, the more readily will new ideas be associated.

The Regal Tables of England given in the last section should now be localised. Beginning with the modern table, the assimilation for William I. is wheat. A sheaf on the bee-hive will fix the name and number of the first king. The second is wine, a bottle of which we discuss in the arbour. Our hat is under the pump. We have had a step fixed to the garden-chair. We gave the hen a bath in the rain-water tub. It was a rat that caused the mutilated appearance of the flower-bed. Jonah manifested in his conduct much secretiveness. Home is rendered comfortable by the temperate exercise of acquisitiveness. The date of erection is inscribed on the dial, and the gentleman under the tree is quite a don. The rest of the sovereigns should also be located. The Houses of Plantagenet, Tudor, Stuart, and Hanover, may be distinguished in the same way as the propensities, sentiments, &c., of the phrenological organs. Thus, Henry II. was the first of the Plantagenets, and a plant twining round the rain-water tub can never be forgotten.

The leading facts of History may be retained by means of localisation. In a list of unfamiliar words, an assimilation must always first be made. Thus, the battles of Agincourt and Waterloo are remembered by means of gin and water. The dates are 1415 and 1815. We know that gin is sold by retail, and that water often proves fatal.

The application of the art to Geography is in accordance with the same principle—that of investing ​unfamiliar ideas with associative power. That power may then be used either for the purpose of remembering such ideas consecutively, or of connecting with them verbal or numerical facts. With regard to difficult nomenclature, it is remarkable to notice the number of familiar combinations which occur in the sound of proper words. The word Madagascar contains mad, Ada, gas, car, and sear; and Stafford, staff, ford, and afford. Many words in common use are continually suggesting names of persons and places. Thus shrew, ox, bridge, buck, bed, and summer will suggest Shrewsbury, Oxford, Cambridge, Buckingham, Bedford, and Somersetshire. Look through an atlas, or even a map of the British Isles only, and numerous examples of this analogy will be found, so useful in a mnemonic point of view. The capitals of any county can, after assimilation, be associated with the assimilation of the county itself. Thus, a mad spaniel will serve to remind us of Madrid, the capital of Spain.

Should the number of consecutive ideas to be localised exceed 100, the 101st must be associated with the 1st in the same locality. It is quite possible, on this plan, to commit to memory an unlimited series of ideas, and the most marvellous results in preparation for competitives examinations may be achieved. A dull boy, taught on this system, will surpass the most talented adult working without it, and, the mental faculties of both being equal, the mnemonic student will acquire in three months more knowledge than the non-mnemonic student in a year, or more in one hour than the other in four hours. The knowledge thus acquired will also be permanent, and easily reproduced. This statement has sole reference to ordinary studies, but where figures and dates are concerned, results may be obtained by Mnemonics which it would be impossible for the natural memory to accomplish. As these Figure Experiments usually excite the greatest wonder, the mode of performing them is revealed in the next exercise. Suppose ​the following figures to have been dictated as a test of memory.

742964101485

814559305217

607428406185

439215287385

197625862173

We have here sixty figures. The process is to divide them into groups of two or three, to assimilate each group, and then locate the assimilation. The rule for assimilating groups of three figures has already been given, but we choose the division into twos, as easier at first. We shall require thirty places of memory, and the last three localities of our system will suffice. If one word be used, translate the first two sounds; if two words, the first of each. This explanation is the rule for groups of two figures, and will render the following analysis of the operation intelligible.

Exercise 20.—Figure Experiment.
1. Carried, 74.	16. Rose, 40.
2. Knob, 29.	17. Choice toys, 61.
3. Hurry, 64.	18. Fall, 85.
4. Dice, 10.	19. Rum, 43.
5. Trays, 14.	20. Bungler, 92.
6. File, 85.	21. Delightful, 15.
7. Water, 81.	22. Nice Weight, 28.
8. Real, 45.	23. Curious mixture, 73.
9. Lean part, 59.	24. Very lively, 85.
10. Mustard, 30.	25. True peep, 19.
11. Lonely, 52.	26. Great shame, 76.
12. Tight grip, 17.	27. Nail, 25.
13. Hospitalitv, 60.	28. Very high, 86.
14. Good rock, 74.	29. Not tight, 21.
15. Enough, 28.	30. Correct aim, 73.

In repeating this experiment backwards, be careful, ​in single words, to give the second consonant before the first. In answering questions on individual groups, remember that the seventh locality is to be considered as the first for the purpose of the experiment. When it is not necessary to use all your places at once, this numerical adaptation will often be necessary. One locality should not be favoured above another, lest the associative value of the others become diminished. A few arbitrary localities, independent of the fixed system—such as actual rooms in the house—will be found useful for associations not conveying ideas of permanent value.