To find a word or words which will translate any given number, set down the figures with some space between, and under each one the consonants which represent it, thus:

Having the consonants in place, vowels to form words are easily filled in. In the above example, several words can be made: LOAD ROCKS is one possibility.

Whenever possible, words should be found which can be associated in some way with the fact with which the number is connected.

Another plan of translation is to make up a sentence of as many words as there are figures, and assign a figure value only to the first consonant sound in each word. The Mississippi River is 4382 miles long: River Mississippi Very Wandering.

On first reading, some may think that the figure alphabet is a remedy worse than the disease; but if your word-memory is good, and your figure-memory poor, it will pay you to spend the time necessary to master it. Careful study and frequent practise with the method will make you so familiar with it that its use will be easy.

LESSON VI

VERBATIM MEMORIZATION OF POETRY AND PROSE, REMEMBERING CONTENTS OF BOOKS AND ARTICLES

The method of memorizing poetry and prose which is about to be described is such a radical departure from the time-honored methods that many on first making its acquaintance are inclined to be skeptical. Actual experience with the method, however, usually converts such persons into enthusiastic advocates.

The method is so simple that it can be stated in a very brief space. It consists in reading aloud the entire poem or selection, starting at the beginning and reading through to the end, keeping the attention on the subject-matter, and fully understanding the meaning of each word and sentence. Having completed one reading aloud, start at the beginning and read aloud to the end again. Repeat again, reading aloud as before, making three times in all. Read the poem or selection aloud three times, twice a day at intervals of at least six hours. A convenient way is to do it the first thing in the morning, and again at night. In a few days you will find that you can begin to repeat parts of the selection without looking at it. Encourage

yourself in doing this, but not until you are sure of saying it right while not looking. In from ten to twenty days you will know the selection perfectly, and will be able to repeat it without hesitancy. Furthermore, after the occasion for its use is past, it will not be forgotten in a few weeks, as is the case with matter learned in the old way. With an occasional repetition, you can retain it for years. The author of these lessons can still repeat passages from Shakespeare learned by this method more than ten years

ago.

To insure success, it is only necessary to observe the following three simple rules: (1) Always read aloud.

(2) Read through from beginning to end each time. It matters not whether the selection is one you can read (aloud) in three minutes, or whether it takes an hour; the rule is to be followed just the same.

(3) Don't let the mind wander. it on the subject-matter of the selection.

Keep

The time required for learning varies with the individual, with the degree of concentration, and with the nature of the selection. Rhythmic poetry is more quickly learned than prose. If it is necessary to learn something within a week, this can be done if the selection is short, by reading aloud four times at each sitting instead of three, and doing it three times a day instead of twice.

REMEMBERING CONTENTS OF BOOKS AND ARTICLES

If you are to remember what you read, the fundamental principles of attention, interest, concentration, and association must be brought into play. If you want to master the contents of a book or magazine article with accuracy, it is best to make a written abstract (or concise summary) of it. A chapter can usually be summed up in a paragraph; a paragraph (of the book) in a sentence. Read over your abstract carefully from time to time so that the knowledge will become a part of your mental organization.

CONCLUSION

Memory being a function of the mind, a sound memory goes with a sound mind and a sound body. The habitual use of alcohol or drugs is incompatible with a dependable memory. Good memory work cannot be done when there is great mental or bodily fatigue, and it should not be attempted at such times.

"The secret of a good memory is the secret of forming diverse and multiple associations with every fact we care to retain. What is this but thinking about the fact as much as possible? The man who thinks over his experiences most and weaves