Stokes on Memory
MEMORY.
BY
WILLIAM STOKES,
TEACHER OF MEMORY,
LECTURER AT THE ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION,
LONDON,
AND AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE SCHOOL OF ART,
SCIENCE, AND LITERATURE;
PROFESSOR OF MEMORY AT THE CITY OF LONDON COLLEGE;
LATE OF THE ROYAL COLOSSEUM;
AUTHOR OF
“THE DIVINE ORIGIN Οf ΜΝEMONICS,” “The Syllable-ized Pictorial Alphabet,” “RAPID PLAN OF TEACHING READING,” “ANTI-NONSENSICAL NURSERY RHYMES” (IN WORDS OF ONE SYLLABLE), ETC.;
INVENTOR OF
“THE PICTORIAL MULTIPLICATION TABLE,” “THE HISTORICAL CHRONOMETER,” “THE MNEMONICAL OLODE,” ETC.
Forty-eighth Edition, Revised and Enlarged.
LONDON:
HOULSTON & SONS, 7, Paternoster Buildings.
Brighton:
H & C. Treacher, 1, North Street, and 44 & 45, East Street;
all booksellers and the railway stations.
Australia:
George Robertson, 09, Elisabeth Street, Melbourne.
1874
PREFACE
TO THE
SEVENTH (ENLARGED & ILLUSTRATED) EDITION.
This is esssentially a Practical Treatise upon the Improvement of the Memory—its instructions are not given upon supposition, but rest upon the solid basis of experience—long, constant, extensive, and signally successful personal experience.
While carefully adapting the book to the requirements of the public, who for years have favoured me with continuous approval and support, I have been especially mindful of the wishes and interests of those to whom I am particularly indebted for my success—my appreciative and faithful Pupils, whose recommendations and illustrations are to me constant sources of gratification and advantage.
WILLIAM STOKES,
Teacher of Memory
15, Margaret Street,
- Cavendish Square, London, W.,
- January 1st, 1866.
PREFACE TO THE FORTY-EIGHTH EDITION.
To a parent his child's faults are not too apparent, And an author mayn't see the defects in his book,
So he prints "an impression"—and has an impression On a "second impression" he'll speedily look. Thus he has two impressions, 'tis perfectly plain, Yet may look for his "second impression" in vain.
This edition must say for it
It has proved, as we hoped,
With the public a favourite;
And is worth a great deal,
Though there's not much to pay for it
So speak up for it, please,
When you find there's a way for it!
W. S.
INTRODUCTION.
To show the nature of Memory; to direct attention to its manifestations; to demonstrate its importance; to prove the possibility of its regulation and development; to enforce the necessity of its Scientific culture; to supply means for its improvement; to explain, advocate, defend, and illustrate Mnemonics or Artificial Memory; to establish it as an indispensable branch of ordinary education; and to render its adoption general,—are objects at which I have aimed in this book.
Those who are partial to that which is ancient, will find that principles are propounded which originated with the creation of man, those who seek novelty, will see applications which are wholly new; those who like to revel in the gathered stores of many minds, may, without trouble, have a rich delight; while the admirers of originality will here find many things which they never could have found before.
Those who are humane, will have in this the means of benefiting the poor, the enfeebled, the blind the deaf and dumb, and a much more numerous, and hitherto almost hopeless and neglected portion of the community—those who are afflicted with a bad Memory; while the selfish man, whatever may be his condition, whether his Memory be bad or good, will perceive to his gratification, that he has met with one of the very things he wanted. Those who interest themselves in that which appertains to the good of foreign lands, will become acquainted with principles which are equally avail-able for the people of Paris, Pekin, or Timbuctoo; while those who prefer that which relates to their own countrymen, will find that they apply to the people of London too. Those who are desirous of assisting in the dissemination of Mnemonical principles, will see how they can best do so; and those who simply wish to benefit themselves, will find they are not bothered with the claims of others. Those in search of pastime will here find it; and those who wish to save time, will obtain the means in this my book.
The grave may ponder, and the gay may smile.
By the bye, perhaps I ought to say a word or two in reference to the fact of my having expressed many of my ideas either in metrical sentences or in rhyme I introduced these because my aim was to write a book which should not be "prosy," rather than a "book of prose." Just here and there I have indulged in a pun. Many people regret that a "vile punster" is not punishable; I have therefore endeavoured to make my puns in a pun(n)ish able manner. For the benefit of those who are favourable to Mnemonics, I have illustrated many portions of the book with appropriate engravings, and the opponents of Mnemonics will find that they cannot complain of neglect, for, as the recognised "Champion of Mnemonics," I have given them cuts as often as possible.
I have done my utmost to prevent my subject becoming dry, by supplying, in as agreeable a manner as I could, some of the best and surest means of whetting the Memory.
W. S.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Portrait of the Author—Preface—Introduction—Table of Contents—Books upon Memory—Special Description of Stoke's System of Memory—its diversified application—How, when, and where it can be learnt. |
1 |
MIND AND MEMORY—Perception—Attention—Conception—Imagination Invention—Judgment—Rationality—Consciousness Conscience—Cultivation of the Memory of primary importance |
4 |
THE SCIENCE OF MEMORY—What is Memory?—Brain—Folly of trusting a "bad" Memory—Natural and Artificial Memory—Terms "Art of Memory," "Science of Memory," "Mnemonics," etc., defined—Mnemonics—Mnemonics adapted for the Young—Rapid Elementary Progress: Alphabet, Reading, Spelling, Multiplication Table, etc.—Stokes's Syllable-ized Pictorial Alphabet |
16 |
Repetition.—Association the Mainspring of Memory—Rapidity of Association its Application—Art superior to Nature —Philosophy of Artificial Memory—Antiquity of Mnemonics—Divine Origin of Mnemonics—Critics Criticised (in verse). |
25 |
Practical Utility and general Applicability of Mnemonics.—"A Man of Business," what is be? (in rhyme)—Disadvantages of a "bad" Memory—Indirect as well as direct Advantage of Mnemonics—"Most haste, worst speed" |
35 |
Mnemonics a Requirement in Ordinary Education. Mnemonics available for those of maturity, and for those of advanced age—A Plea in behalf of Mnemonical Education—Duty of Parents—Want of "capacity"—Duty of Instructors—Mnemonics in Schools—Anti-mnemonical Aids to Memory (with Engraving)—Parody on Southey's "Cataract of Lodore," "How do our Little Boys learn things at School?"—Advantages of the Mnemonist—The "don't-think-much-of-it" fraternity—Mnemonics must be used; illustrative doggerel, "The Dozer"—Ideas without logical connection—"The Persevering Student" (an intellectual conglomeration)—Perplexity of the Tongue—"My M-made Memory Medley" (the masterpiece of alliteration)—Mnemonics easily acquired—The Mnemonical Instructor must be trusted: Illustrative Rhyme, "The Writing Lesson"—Remarkable Power of Mnemonics—"Strange Suppositions" (in rhyme) |
40 |
HOW TO IMPROVE THE MEMORY.—Golden Rule for the Improvement of the Memory—Committing to Memory—Prose and Verse—The "Writing-out" Theory a Fallacy; why?—When to write out—How to make time for Learning—Try now—Necessity of Repetition—When to Learn—Where to Learn—Study—Best Posture for Study—Influence of Food upon the Student—When to Study—Do not Study when weary—Antidotes for Weariness—Avoid Irregularity—How to remove Headache—How to remove Thirst without drinking—Concentration—How to save time when travelling—Change of thought—Carelessness—Observation—System—Forethought—Promptness—Morbid Caution—Want of Self-trust—Nervousness |
67 |
Organization.—Substitutions Memory—Mental Picturing—Perfection of Association (with Diagram)—Learning by heart advocated—"Mental Pictorial Exercise" (in rhyme)—The Remembrance of Names, etc.—On Punning—Mnemonical Anagrams, Moon, Wing—Local Memory—A Mental Walk—The remembrance of Figures—Stokes's Historical Chronometer (with Engraving) |
77 |
Abbreviated Articulation an Aid to Memory.—Books of the Bible—Inquiry respecting the Anti-Mnemonist—Succession of Kings and Queens of England—Counties of England and Wales—Attention—Lectures and Sermons—Biblical Key—Reverie—The Eye in relation to Concentration—Anecdote of a Misapplication of Principle—Line of Concentration (with two Diagrams)—A Hint for Aspirants to the Platform—A Word to Clergymen and Public Speakers—General Advice-Good and Bad Memory |
95 |
Mnemonical Clues.—The thread of a Story (with Engraving)—Recapitulation—Post and Chain Mnemonics (with Engraving)—Stokes's Mnemonical Time Economizer (with Rhyme and Engraving)—Mnemonics Applied to Umbrellas (with Engraving)—Symbolization—St. Paul's Cathedral (with Engraving and Rhyme)—Involuntary Association—Mnemonics comparatively unknown—Its Antagonistic Friends—Impostors—"New and Natural System of Memory"—Stokes on Memory and Mnemonics—Plagiarists—Receipt to make a "Memory Book" (in Rhyme)—Art versus Nature—The Antagonists of Mnemonics The THOUGHTOLOGIST—Evil effects of anti-Mnemonical Books—Change in Public Opinion in favour of Mnemonics—Rejected Facts (with verses)—Mnemonics a "Trick" WORTH KNOWING—The Philosophic "Peter Bell"
—Friendly Words for Friends and Foes—A Chat with Posterity—Conclusion |
114 |
Addenda.—Effect of "Stokes on Memory" upon public opinion—Results—The Man with the Sovereigns (in Rhyme)—Signs of approbation—An Old Man's Memory (in Rhyme)—Stokes's Syllable-ized Pictorial Alphabet (with Engraving "C")—Stokes's Anti-Nonsensical Nursery Rhymes (in words of One Syllable)—Stokes's Pictorial Multiplication Table (with Rhyme and Engraving)—Stokes's Capital Mnemonical Globe—Stokes's Divine Origin of Mnemonics (with Engraving)—Life of Christ—Acrostic Sonnet—"Stokes on Memory"—Explanation of Stokes's Typogram—Engagements—Lessons by Correspondence—New Mnemonics Selection of Daes—The Stuff Manufacturer (in Rhyme)—Cotmmittees and Councils—Unpublished Works—Cooperation required—Donations and Subscriptions—Soliloquy (in Rhyme)—Sonnet, to a Sympathetic Reader—Guinea Sorted Packet of Mnemonical Works—Special arrangements for Schools—Quarterly or Term Lessons—The Disgusted Schoolmaster (in Rhyme)—Impromptu upon the taking of Magdala (in Rhyme)—How to Catch Sparrows (in Rhyme)—Take Heart (in Rhyme)—Quotations from Critiques of the Press, Testimonials, etc.—Classes at Residence, etc.—List of Works |
143 |
MR. STOKES'S ADDRESSES.
London: Royal Polytechnic Institution, 309, Regent Street, W
Literary Institution, 165, Aldersgate Street, E.C.
London Residence: 15, Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, W
Brighton: 19, Russell Square.
Southampton: 4, Portland Street.
Hastings: 4, York Buildings.
BOOKS UPON MEMORY, FACTS, AND
ILLUSTRATIONS.
I have to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of several Books upon Memory, and other things, sent in some instances anonymously; and I beg to say, that I shall feel extremely obliged to those who will kindly forward to me Books[1] on Memory (which might be useful to me though perhaps valueless to the owners), or any facts connected with remarkably good, bad, or eccentric Memory, suggestions upon Mnemonics, quotations upon Memory, or any information which may be serviceable to me upon the platform, in the class-room, or otherwise.
I shall also be glad to receive very difficult, choice, or peculiar pieces of composition, either in prose or verse, suitable for public Illustration; and shall be happy to forward others in return.
W. S.
- ↑ Books in paper, with open endu for inspection, and witten upon, "Printed," can be transmitted through the Postal the rate of FOUR OUNCES for One Penny.
This work was published before January 1, 1930, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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