New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-01-29
Organization OF Prof. Gouraud's class.

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crowded audience. who were manitestly the tip
toe oil expectation respecting the proceedings for
the future regulation OF which arrangements were
about TO De made The Professor commenced by
observing, that he had called the present Meeting IN
order to establish clear understanding between the
subscribers and himself as to what was really to be
effected by the course of Lectures they were about
to attend. These lectures had no analogy with those
usually delivered in this CITY, and from their nature
and novelty required peculiar arrangements.
Before entering upon the selection of the time for
attendance upon the Course, he wished TO make
some explanatory remarks. Several OF the subScrlb-
he had reason to believe entertained most sngu-
lar ideas the subject on which they were met.
One would ask whether, ii. after reading q volume,
he could on the following day repeat II word tor
word Another had gr1vely inquired whether, al
ter hearing speech or sermon, he should be aplc
to repeat it verbatim? These were common
inquiries, and to them he had ALWAYS replied, : Ger
talnly not. 1t he possessed such powerhe should
not be disposed TO communicate 1t TO the puhiic Tor
the world would soon curse him forit. Whv,it man
had the power OF remembering all ne read anu aii
he heard he would have his mind poisoned with
lraSh and be asource OF constant annoyance 10 ann"
self. For though he might learn much that was
GOOD. the evil would more than contcrbalance 1t
But what he Mr.. G. proposed to do land his pro-
LESSONS and promises he would amply redeeml
was TO give them a system OF Memonics oS
npplying which to any thing they wished 10
remember, they would be able 10 increase the
power Of memory 10 almost unlimited eN'
tent-a system of Ninemonics infinitely superior
to any thing before given the public either viewed
as philosophical discovery, or for practical advan
tage. Thus when they had gone through the hrst
and second courses, if they wished TO remember
some brilliant poen or some telicltIous display OF
the flowers of rhetoric, and thus enrich their minds,
they would only have to apply the system 10 Tue
same and they would have those treasures ensra-
ven on their memory. But he wished the subscti-
bers clearly to understand, that it was by the dRPS!-
cation of system OF Mnemonics, requrhs; II -
true. in its acquisition, but little effort OF ule
mind. but that little mperatively, that they were
TO realize this extraordinary power Inc sys-
tenn itself was perfect system truly phliosoPhc9l
in its nature, and embracing the utmost possible
range of mental power. He spoke the more conf
DENLY of the perfection of the system, because the
original idea was not his own, as he had repeatedly
stated in his public introductory lectures, but that
OF celebrated German philosopher, named Fame
gle. He would always stand fair with the public
and do Justce 10 every one, paving to cesar hat
which wasS CAESARS and would therefore ac-
knowledge that the germ OF the systcm-the
bare origination OF the leading idea was thus derry
ed. But the application OF hatdea practical ptf-
poses-the staboruting Of that bare thought INTO the
system which he had now produced, was ms own
and as pSoof Of the conmunlcablhtY OF the system
to others he had given abundant evidences III the /
exhibitions at the Tabernacle and elsewhere. But
he would again remind them, that 1t was by GP2ly-
ing the system to the thing to be remembered tha'
thew were til succeed And they would thus nave
the power of retaining that which they wished, ana
reiecting what,they did not like.
This brougksss;e professor to the origin OF theFe
rEcfIfez,s Mich Vas simply this When he hadthe
pleasure Of lecmring last winter on the planetary
system with Russes Panetarium, some OF his
friends expressed great surprise at the facility with
which he remembered the data, figures, &c. &c.
which were necessary for the Illustrating OF ms sub
iect, and marveIled at what they were pleased to
style, the unlimited powers of his memory. The
question was next asked, could the secret which
gave HIM this power be communicated TO others =
Satisfied that il could he conceived that it would be
both phiIanthropic and profitable to acccde 10 the
wishes of his friends, and make his system public
Such was the simple origin of the OF lectures
he was about TO deliver. The promises he had made
in his advertisements and his lectures, he would
fully redeem bat they must make distinction be-
tween his promises and the exaggeraton that had
been INDUCED in BY others.
Unfort lnately, like all great discoveries in sci
ence, his system had already been attacked even be-
fore being known by It's detractors, and would doubt
less yet be assailed by many who were insligated
by envy and Jealousy, and who would be chagrined
ana mortified because they could not get possession
OF II 10 us" for their ends. Among other cpl
IL,
bug had been often unJusriy ..n.i- I,naeuerously
used in connection with it. He could scarcely itna-
CINE an epithet that grated more harshly upon the
ear OF conscientious man and man who teIt that
he announcing sublime and important discoy- |
cry. Even some OF the subscribers, when about 10
pay their five dollars, would, after much hesitation
say" Well, II 90 II, as if still suspicious that I
they were being jockeyed. Greatlaughter. 9th |
ers again, looking al his immense programme, would
acknowledge that if only enabled them to remenl
Il L 4
. hulubug after all. More laughter. He could |
assure them, however, that ii II were ''hrmbus
il was a sublime humhug-a magnificent humbGg. |
Tremendous applause.
Now, there was class of persons who were al |
WAYS ready to give an opinion upon subject before
they had at all examined ii. This was as gross an I
injustice, as if a man were to enter the studio OF a
sculptor or peinter,and comment upon the merits OF
their works while IN progress, and pronounce each |
of them "humbug" instead OF waiting until the |
artist had completed his work, and put the finishing
touches: his mastery productions But this should
be the last allusion he would make TO that uniortu-
nate and ungenerous word. The first gun IN the at
tack upon his system had already been fred. That
morning there had appeared letterinthe " Express
protesting 10 give :. Mr.. G0urauds alphabet from
10 l00 twas not SAID, .'let suggest that this
is Mr. Cas- system" butitwas boldly and ignorant
y averred that such IL was, sand so bold statement,
was to some extent calculated to inJure his system
in public estimation. The assertion was altogether
false, lie had no such alphabet at all the whole com
munication was tissue ofnonsense and folly, full OF
bitter magnity and ignorance resembling his sys-
tenn of Mnemonics, Congo negro from the black
est regions of Central Africa, resembles fair maid
en- of the North with blooming cheeks and snowy
complexion prolonged laughter.I OF this assertion,
his scholars viii soon have direct proof He
knew the name of that great inventive genius, who
could discorer his 'slphabet" from to 100,
notwithstanding that he had not such alphabet, bat
would not do him the honor to mention his name
and send hinl-so posterity, laughter. lie had ap
piled to the Editors OF the Express, who. with their
proverbia courtesy, and well known spirit ofustice,
had immediately ..iti3rawn that cllnlsE conmnli.