Assimilative Memory; or, How to Attend and Never Forget
Chapter 9
REMARKS.--The pupil is presumed to have learned heretofore the series of Presidents from Washington to Grover Cleveland, and to have recited it forwards and backwards many times. Now let him learn the dates of their accession to office, and then let him recite the series both ways in connection with those dates several times: as, George Washington, 1789; John Adams, 1797; Thomas Jefferson, 1801, &c., &c., to Grover Cleveland, 1893 and then back to Washington. Although it is much better for the pupil to find his own analytic date-words, yet, as many may not have the time to do so while studying this lesson, I append a few explanations of the facts on which the above analytic date-words are founded.
"'Fabian' was applied to the military tactics of Washington, on some occasions, when he imitated the policy of Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus, a Roman General who not daring to hazard a battle against Hannibal, harassed his army by marches, counter-marches, and ambuscades." "Bickerings" were incessant during John Adams's administration between his own supporters and the faction of Hamilton. "Steed"--Jefferson rode on horseback to the Capitol to take his oath of office as President. Arrived there he dismounted and fastened his steed to an elm-tree, since known as Jefferson's tree. He did this to signalise his disapprobation of royalty, and his preference for democratic equality. "Speculative" were the celebrated "Madison Papers." "Doctrine"--the Monroe doctrine declared that no foreign power should acquire additional dominion in America. "Unlucky" was correctly applied to John Quincy Adams's administration. See Barnes's U. S. His., p. 175. "Unwhipped"--Jackson always came off victorious in all his duels and military campaigns. "Mocked"--Van Buren was appointed by Jackson as U. S. Minister to England. The United States Senate rejected his nomination. This political insult secured much sympathy for him, and helped to make him President. "Hard-cider" was a party watchword during Harrison's campaign for the Presidency. "Rudderless"--Tyler often changed his political views, and finally turned against the United States Government, of which he had been Chief Executive. "Realm-extender"--during Polk's administration the United States acquired the territory embracing California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. "Warproof"--Taylor was a successful warrior. "Licenser"--Fillmore's administration passed the Fugitive Slave Law, which enabled the Southern masters to recapture runaway slaves. "Looming"--during Pierce's term the cloud of civil war was looming up in the distance. "Lecompton" constitution of Kansas was a pro-slavery document which Buchanan favoured. "Agitation" preceded and attended Lincoln's inauguration, and finally culminated in the civil war. "Shall"--Johnson made use of the imperative "shall" in regard to the removal of Edwin M. Stanton, for which attempt he was afterward sought to be impeached. "Chapultepec" was the battle in which Grant entered upon that career of military achievement which secured him two Presidential terms. "Cocoa" was characteristic of the drinks allowed at Hayes's table at the White House. No wine was tolerated. "Fatal" was Guiteau's shot to Garfield. "After"--although Tyler, Fillmore, Johnson, and Arthur became Presidents on the death of their chiefs, yet only Arthur succeeded to the Presidency in 1881, which is indicated by the first two consonants of "After." "Flood"--Cleveland vetoed an unprecedented number of bills during his term. There was a "flood" of them. "Fibrous" applies metaphorically to mental qualities; it means strong, sinewy--high talents, just below genius. "Boom" refers, of course, to the large amount of support which Cleveland obtained on his second election to the Presidency.
1. Should the pupil find his own analytic date-words in this exercise? 2. How were Washington's military tactics sometimes characterised? 3. What is the relation between "Bickerings" and John Adams? 4. Why is "Steed" analytic of Jefferson's inauguration? 5. What has the word "Doctrine" to do with Monroe's administration? 6. To what book is the pupil especially referred in regard to J. Q. Adams's administration? 7. Is "Mocked" a case of Con. or Ex. in the case of Van Buren?
DATES OF THE ACCESSION OF THE ENGLISH SOVEREIGNS.
From 1000 A.D. to 1700 A.D., the last _three figures only_ need be given, and from 1700 A.D. to date only the last two figures require to be given. It is better for the pupil to find his own phrases. A slight acquaintance with English History will make all the formulas here given easily understood. Green's short "History of the English People," Dickens' "Child's History of England," Collier's "History of England," and "History of England," by the author of the "Knights of St. John," may be recommended.
(1) William I. (1066)--(0) Ha{s}tings (6) {ch}ampion (6) {j}ustified. (2) William II. (1087)--He (1) {d}ecorated (0) hi{s} (8) {f}ather's (7) {g}rave; or (0) {s}ilvering a (8) {f}ather's (7) {g}rave. (3) Henry I. (1100)--(1) {Th}e (0) {s}cholarly (0) {s}overeign. (4) Stephen (1135)--(1) {Th}e (3) {m}onarch's (5) {l}iar. (5) Henry II. (1154)--(1) {Th}e (5) {l}and (4) {r}estorer. (6) Richard I. (1189)--(1) {Th}e (8) {f}awners (9) {p}unished. (7) John (1199)--(1) {D}epriving a (9) {p}retty (9) {b}oy. (8) Henry III. (1216)--(1) "{Th}ird" (2) He{n}ry's (1) {t}ender (6) {ch}ildhood. (9) Edward I. (1272)--(2) O{n} a (7) {c}rusade (2) u{n}supported. (10) Edward II. (1307)--(3) A {m}onarch (0) e{s}pouses a (7) {c}omrade. (11) Edward III. (1327)--He (3) {m}ade (2) Wi{n}dsor (7) {C}astle. (12) Richard II. (1377)--A (3) {m}onarch's (7) {c}ollector (7) {k}illed. (13) Henry IV. (1399)--A (3) {m}onarch (9) {p}unished (9) {b}orderers. (14) Henry V. (1413)--A (4) {r}ioter (1) {t}urned (3) {m}onarch. (15) Henry VI. (1422)--(4) {R}oyalty (2) i{n} (2) i{n}fancy; or (4) A{r}c (2) u{n}justly (2) i{n}flamed. (16) Edward IV. (1461)--(4) Yo{r}k (6) {ch}ampioned (1) {T}owton. (17) Edward V. (1483)--(4) {R}uler (8) "{F}ifth" (3) {m}urdered. (18) Richard III. (1483)--(4) {R}ichard (8) {f}eigns (3) {m}odesty. (19) Henry VII. (1486)--(4) {R}oses (8) {f}inally (6) {j}oined. (20) Henry VIII. (1509)--A (5) {l}ady (0) {s}laying (9) {p}olicy. (21) Edward VI. (1547)--A (5) {l}ad (4) {r}oyally (7) {g}ood; or, a (5) wi{l}l (4) {r}equiring a (7) {c}ouncil. (22) Mary (1553)--(5) {L}uckless (5) {l}oving (3) {M}ary. (23) Elizabeth (1558)--(5) E{l}izabeth (5) {l}iked (8) {v}etoes. (24) James I. (1603)--(6) {J}ames a (0) {S}cottish (3) {m}onarch. (25) Charles I. (1625)--(6) {Ch}arles' (2) i{n}supportable (5) i{l}legalities. (26) Council and Parliament (1649)--(6) {Ch}arles (4) {r}ightly (9) {b}eheaded. (27) Oliver Cromwell (1653)--(6) {G}eneral (5) O{l}iver's (3) {m}astery. (28) Richard Cromwell (1658)--(6) {G}eneral (5) O{l}iver's (8) o{f}fspring. (29) Council and Parliament (1659)--A (6) {J}unta (5) {l}eading (9) {P}arliament. (30) Charles II. (1660)--(6) {Ch}eerful (6) {Ch}arles (0) {S}econd. (31) James II. (1685)--(6) {J}ames' (8) {f}ollowers (5) e{l}ated. (32) William III. and Mary (1689)--(6) {J}oining (8) o{f} (9) {P}owers. (33) Anne (1702)--(0) {S}ubmissive (2) A{n}ne. (34) George I. (1714)--(1) U{t}terly (4) {r}esigned. (35) George II. (1727)--(2) A{n}spach's (7) {C}aroline. (36) George III. (1760)--(6) {G}eorge's (0) {S}overeignty. (37) George IV. (1820)--(2) U{n}divorcible (0) {S}overeign. (38) William IV. (1830)--(3) {M}idshipman (0) {S}overeign. (39) Victoria (1837)--A (3) {m}odel (7) Queen.
EXPLANATIONS.
(1) Edward the Confessor, always fond of the Normans, had promised that on his death his kingdom should go to Duke William of Normandy. (2) William II. early directed a goldsmith to decorate his father's grave with gold and silver ornaments. (3) Henry I. was called Beauclerc, or fine Scholar. (4) Stephen had produced a false witness to swear that the late king on his deathbed had named him (Stephen) as his heir. (5) Henry II. revoked most of the grants of land that had been hastily made during the late troubles. (6) Richard punished the people who had befriended him against his father. (7) Arthur had the best right to the throne, but John imprisoned and murdered him. (8) Henry III. was crowned at the age of ten. "Third" tells _which_ Henry is meant. (9) Edward I. declared--"I will go on, if I go on with no other follower than my groom." (10) Gaveston was the king's comrade and favourite, and was finally beheaded by the indignant barons. (11) Edward III. erected Windsor Castle. (12) The king's poll-tax collector was killed by Wat Tyler. (13) A successful Scottish war was this monarch's first achievement. (14) Riotous Prince Hal became a spirited, valiant king. (15) Henry VI. was only nine months old when his predecessor died. (16) Edward IV., with aid of the Earl of Warwick, won the great battle at Towton; 40,000 men were slain. (17) Edward V. was only thirteen years old. The Lord Protector, Duke of Gloucester, threw him, with his brother, into the Tower and caused them to be murdered. (18) Richard's affected modesty is conspicuously brought out in Shakespeare's tragedy of Richard III. (19) Henry VII., to quell forever the hostility of the rival Roses, married Elizabeth of York, the daughter of Edward IV. (20) The formula in this case is clearly justified by history. (21) Edward VI. was but ten years old. Henry VIII. had provided in his will that a council of sixteen should govern during Edward's minority. (22) Mary was fond of her husband, who cared little for her, and unlucky in her advisers. (23) Elizabeth showed the natural arbitrariness of her disposition in her vetoes. In one year--1597--she refused the royal assent to 48 bills passed by the Commons. (24) James I. was the first Scottish king that reigned over England. (25) Charles I. lost his life in the attempt to act independent of the Commons. (26) If anyone thinks that Charles was not rightfully beheaded, he could make the phrase--(6) {Ch}arles (4) w{r}ongfully (9) {b}eheaded. (27) The phrase is obviously true. (28) The phrase gives the exact date of Richard Cromwell's accession and the word "offspring" means Richard Cromwell. (29) A Junta here means the "council." (30) Charles Second was called the "merry" monarch. (31) Parliament at once voted James II. nearly two million pounds sterling per annum for life. (32) William and Mary were coördinate sovereigns. (33) Anne was truly "submissive" or easily influenced. (34 and 35) Green intimates that George I. and George II. hardly affected the course of events--the former followed the advice of his ministers and the latter of his wife Caroline. (36) George III. was emphatically a sovereign. (37) George IV. had tried ineffectually to get rid of his wife; her death at last released him. (38) William IV. had been a midshipman in the navy. (39) Victoria has certainly proved herself to be a "Model Queen."
(3) THE PUPIL MUST POSSESS SUCH A FAMILIARITY WITH THE LAWS OF IN., EX., AND CON., NOT MERELY IN THEIR THEORETIC AND ABSTRACT ASPECTS, BUT IN THAT PRACTICAL CHARACTER AND WORKING POWER OF THEM WHICH I TEACH, THAT HE CAN INSTANTLY APPLY THEM TO THE EVERY-DAY AFFAIRS AND ORDINARY OCCURRENCES AND EVENTS OF LIFE.
If you know that the number of square[E] miles in the area of the State of New York runs into _thousands_, and you wish to remember that the _exact number_ of thousands is 47, you could accomplish this object if you found a word which spells 47, and is at the same time connected by In., Ex., or Con. to New York. You try the varieties of Inclusion; and in synonymous Inclusion you find 47 in the word "Yo{r}{k}" itself, the "y" having no figure value, and "r" standing for 4, and "k" for 7; thus you cannot _see_ the name of New York or _think of it_ without having conclusive evidence of the number of thousands of square miles the State contains.
[E] See Lippincott's Gazetteer, p. 1573.
The title of a subject, the name or description of an event or date, can always be safely abridged or bracketed in part in the formula, as 47 [New] Yo{r}{k}. But no one could imagine that "York" in this connection [47 thousand square miles] means any of the towns or country seats of the United States which are called "York." If the context makes an otherwise indefinite thing definite, it is sufficient.
_Analytic date and number words do not have to be memorised._--Seeing is believing, and, in this case, _remembering_ too. If you thoroughly master my system you can find, in most cases, analytic date and number words without any difficulty, and by means of them you can remember _thousands_ of dates and sets of figures, when without the system you could have remembered only five or ten of them.
Suppose in your haste you failed to notice that "York" spells 47, and you then proceed to try Inclusion by Genus and Species; regarding York as the general word, you would find _New_ York as a species or kind of York; the same with Yorkshire, Yorktown, York Minster, etc. In this way you would, if your mastery of the Figure Alphabet were perfect, scarcely fail to notice that York spells 47; but if you fail, you then try Inclusion by Whole and Part, and run over the political divisions of the State until you come to {R}o{ck}land County, and there you find in its first two consonants the letters "r" and "ck" (the equivalent of "k" in sound). These consonants spell 47. You would find the same consonants in the County of He{r}{k}imer.
Suppose, however, that from unfamiliarity with the Figure Alphabet, or from want of considerable practice, you do not succeed in noticing that {R}o{ck}land or He{r}{k}imer contains the number 47, you try Inclusion by Abstract and Concrete, and regarding the State of New York as the Concrete, and the Abstract or characterizing epithet "{r}o{ck}y" as applicable to New York, you would then find in that word "{r}o{ck}y" the number 47.
If you did fail, you would try Exclusion, and you would find nothing which is the antithesis of the area of New York. You might find, however, a _weak form_ of Exclusion if you consider that the area is the surface, and what is below the surface as the opposite of it. In the latter case you would find in the words "E{r}ie {C}anal," which is a great artificial channel running through a part of the State, the letters "r" and "c" hard, which spell 47. A more exact Exclusion might be found in the word "{r}i{ng}," which spells 47. For if we consider the shape of the boundary of New York we would see that in no vague sense a ring, as a circle, is the opposite of it.
But suppose that from a chronic absent-mindedness or an overworked brain, or downright bad physical health or insufficient knowledge of the system, you failed to see 47 in any of the foregoing cases, you would try Concurrence. Considering that the State of New York is largely agricultural, you would find that the implement of farming known as a "{R}a{k}e" would spell 47; this would be a case of Concurrence. In a political sense, the word "{r}i{ng}s" gives 47, as New York has been celebrated for them.
All that the student requires is _one_ analytic word. I have gone through the varieties of Inclusion, through Exclusion, and Concurrence, merely to show _how to find_ analytic words and not because more than one word was necessary.
According to the census report of 1890, the number of square miles of _land_ in the State of New York is 47,620, or (4) Yo{r}k's (7) A{c}res (6) {S}urely (2) {N}ot (0) {S}ubmerged; the number of square miles of _land and water_ in it is 49,170, or (4) Yo{r}k's (9) {P}lains (1) Wi{th} (7) A{c}companying (0) {S}ealets.
NUMBER OF SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS.
We will try another case: You want to remember the number of plays that Shakespeare wrote. You know it is less than 50; but you wish to remember the exact number--it was 37. You experiment; you try the varieties of Inclusion, and among the rest you try Whole and Part; you find in the first two consonants of the name {M}a{c}beth the figures 37; but if you did not notice that {M}a{c}beth afforded you the means of always remembering that the Shakespeare Plays numbered 37, you would try Exclusion perhaps. If you look upon the attempt to ascribe the authorship of the Shakespeare Plays to Bacon as a {m}o{ck}ery you would find in the first two consonants of that word the figures 37 through the operation of Exclusion; and if you recollect that the character of Shylock was played with great success at Old Drury, February 17, 1741, by Charles {M}a{c}lin, you would find in the first two consonants of his name the figures 37 through Concurrence.
DUKE OF WELLINGTON AND NAPOLEON.
Napoleon Bonaparte was born in 1769. As a boy he was finely formed. "{Sh}a{p}ely" (69) gives his birth-date by In. by A. and C. He evinced the opposite of the temper usually ascribed to the "{Sh}e{p}herd-boy" (69)--a birth-date by Ex. "{Ch}a{p}let"--a wreath or garland signed for by him in his ambitious hopes--expresses his birth-date by Con. His death occurred in 1821. "E{n}{d}" (21) or "U{n}{d}one" (21) expresses his death-date by synonymous Inclusion. "{N}a{t}ivity" (21) indicates it by Ex. Since he died from cancer in the stomach, he could retain very little food. "I{n}{d}igestion" (21) makes his death-date by Con.
Wellington's birth, in 1769, may be expressed by "{Sh}ee{p}-faced" (69), a term his own mother applied to him when a boy. In his childhood, he was blue-eyed, hawk-nosed, slender, and ungainly, "{Ch}u{b}by" (69), by Ex., expresses his birth-date. A more vivid concurrence can scarcely be imagined, since he and Bonaparte were both born in the same year, 1769.
Wellington died in 1852 at Wilmer Castle. "Wi{l}{m}er" expresses the date of his death by only one year too many. But a means of remembrance that requires readjustment or modification can seldom be relied upon, except by those who are practised in Higher Analysis. He was 83 years old when he died. "{L}a{n}tern-jawed" (52) expresses his death-date by In., by A. and C. No man was ever more honored after his death than Wellington. "A{l}ie{n}ated" (52) expresses his death-date by Ex. A sudden illness carried him off. Hence "I{l}l{n}ess" (52) is a fact connected with his death by Con.
These elaborate illustrations must indicate to any student how to apply the laws of In., Ex., and Con., so as to find analytic date and number words. Cases of Ex. give good practice, but are rarely ever necessary.
MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES.
_Inclusion_, as applied to the events of life possesses the same variety as in regard to words. In dates of the last and present century, the expression of the _last two figures_ is sufficient. William Cullen Bryant was born in 1794. '94 is found in the name {B}{r}yant, a case of Synonymous Inclusion. Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804. As we know it was about the beginning of this century, this translation of the 4 indicates the exact date and is found in Aa{r}on and relieves the memory of all doubt.
1. Who applied the term "sheep-faced" to Wellington when he was a boy? 2. What is the most vivid case of Con. here given? 3. Why do we not give a value to both l's in the word "illness"? 4. What do these illustrations indicate? 5. What does inclusion as applied to the events of life possess? 6. Why is it not necessary to have a date-word to express the date of Hamilton's death in which the 0 is indicated as well as the 4?
Sherman made his famous march through the South in 1864. 64 is found in the word {Sh}e{r}man [or by two words: (6) {Sh}erman (4) {R}avaging]. In dates previous to the last century, the last three figures must be expressed. Movable types were invented in 1438. We know it was not A.D. 438, but was 1438; a mistake of 1,000 years is not possible. If we translate 438 it will mean to us the same as 1438. 438 is found in the analytic word (438) "{R}e{m}o{v}able" [or, to express all the numbers, thus: (1) {T}ypes (4) a{r}e (3) {m}ovable (8) {f}igures].
The Phonograph was invented in 1877. The expression of 77 is found in {C}o{g}nate, and that indicates the resemblance of the human mechanism to receive sounds to the Phonograph; for both processes utilize vibrations, and are therefore from similarity of functions "Cognate" methods. How any one could forget analytic date-words is more than I can understand, especially when formed by himself.
1. What must be done when we wish to find date-words the events of which took place previous to the last century? 2. Can a person easily forget analytic date-words formed by himself?
_Exclusion._--The first steamship crossed the Atlantic in 1819. 19 is found in "{T}u{b}" by Exclusion, as the most opposite to a steam-driven ship. Andrew Johnson was advanced to the Presidency on the death of Abraham Lincoln in 1865. 65 is expressed by Exclusion in the word "{Sh}e{l}ved," which means the opposite of promotion [or by two words, thus: (6) {J}ohnson (5) E{l}evated]. "{M}e{n}dacious" expresses by Exclusion the birth of George Washington in 1732, as indicating a youthful quality the opposite of that which he manifested, and by two words: (3) A{m}erica's (2) I{n}fant. Other examples are given in subsequent pages.
_Concurrence_ finds incidents or concomitants of a fact or event, something that by accident became connected with it. It may be a forerunner or successor, the cause or consequence, or a contemporaneous fact, etc.
William Cullen Bryant, from a fall, died in 1878. The last two figures 78 are found by Concurrence in the initial consonants of the phrase "(7) {C}ullen's (8) {F}all." Cullen will be easily identified, as the middle name of Bryant. When Jefferson became Vice-President, in 1797, he wore the customary big-wig; and the first two consonants of "{B}i{g}-wig" express by Concurrence that date.
Artillery was invented in 1340. 340 indicates that date, and by Concurrence we find those figures in the first three consonants of "{M}e{r}{c}iless." Or (3) {M}urderous (4) A{r}tillery's (0) {S}courge. Plymouth (Mass.) was settled in 1620. 620 will indicate it. We find these figures in "{Ch}a{n}{c}e," which by Concurrence describes the risk they ran. The Telephone was invented in 1877. Whoever has listened to the telephone to identify a speaker, and heard others talking in the shrill tones that strike upon the ear, is apt to think of the cackling of hens, and "{C}a{ck}le" expresses the date 77.
Jefferson Davis disguised himself in the hood, shawl, and dress of his wife in 1865. "{Sh}aw{l}" by Concurrence expresses that date. The Constitution of the United States was _adopted_ in 1787, which spells "{Th}e {G}i{v}i{ng}." To adopt the Constitution, it required the States to give their assent. They _gave_ the Federal Government all the power it possessed. "{Th}e {G}i{v}i{ng}" is therefore a case of Concurrence. A circumstance connected with settlements is _selecting_ the site. Jamestown, Va., was settled in 1607, which spells "{Th}e {Ch}oo{s}i{ng}." This phrase relates to the settlement by Concurrence. Harvard College was founded in 1636, which spells "{T}ea{ch} {M}u{ch}." Whether we take this phrase as describing the object or result of founding that college, it is a case of Concurrence. A college is sometimes called a seat of learning. Yale College was founded in 1701, which spells "{T}oo{k} a {s}ea{t}." This phrase describes the locating of the college, and is therefore a relation by Concurrence.