The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-13

OUT 700. Dy way OF premise, that there iB n phys
biological mode Of viewing the faculty of remi-
niscenco strongly conHrmatve Of psychology
cal observations. On the physical side Nom
DRY or acquisition seems to be a series OF new
nervous Rrowths. the establishment OF a num-
Der OF beaten tracks In certain lines OF the oere-
brnl substance. The presumption doubtless Ia
that. as regards the claim for nourshment this
is the most costly Of all the processes OF tho In
teliRence. since to exercise power once ac-
duired should be \ far easier thing. much less
expensive, than to build up a new acuuirement
Ii follows that success In acquisition. weighed
according to physiological probabilities. should
be the work OF rare. choice and happy mo-
ments-times when cerebral vigor is both abun.
dant and well directed.
Obviously the prime condition OF retentive
capacity is the power of discrimination. The
blank Of sensation is blank OF memory The
minuteness or delicacy OF the perception OF DIFF
ference affords the measure OF the variety and
multitude OF our primary Impressions and
therefore Of our stored-up recollections II
from the beginning one man can interpolate
five shades of discrimination OF color whore
another can feel but one transition. the careers
OF the two persons are foreshadowed and will
be widely apart. just 80. he that can distin-
guish but twelve notes on the musical scale.
must needs have his remembrance OF sounds
crcumscribed within this narrow compass.
Here we strike the deepest foundation OF dis
parity in intellectual character as we'll as of
diversity in likings and pursuits. To observe
this native inequality in children is OF capital
moment for the work OF teaching. The retcn-
tive power may be wrought up by skilful train
ing to the height Of the discriminativo capacity.
but can go further. The inequality OF differ
ent minds In imbibing lessons under the very
.gr 4
though some philosophers have taught that all
children are nearly equal In regard to facility
Of requirement a schoolmaster who would say
so must be Of the very rudest sort.
As to the conditions favorable to mental en-
cheney. the muscular and digestive systems
should be exercised up to the point conducive
10 the maximum Of general vigor. but. In DIR.
Ban's view no further. While the plastic power
OF the brain 10 10 DO taxed the primal aim OF
gymnastic training should be nothing else than
the greatest energy OF the mind. To drive homo
a new bent. to render a cerebral impression
self-sustaining and recoverable. uses up. II is
affirmed. more nervous activity than any other
kind OF exertion. The moments OF suscepu-
bilty TO the storing up OF knowledge. to the in
granting OF habits and acquisitions. are
thus the momsnts of the maximum OF unex-
pended force. and tho circumstances should be
such az to favor tho consummate exhibition OF
brain vigor DR.. Balm goes 50 far as to assert
that the display OF mental constructveness
the solving Of new problems. the applying Of
rules TO new cases. the intellectual labor Of the
more arduous professions. as the law. is sec
ondary and subordinate to the retentive faculty
in It's waste Of cerebral energy. For these are
exertions he reminds u.s. that can be performed
with lower degrees OF physical power; we are
capable OF such professional work at times when
our memory would no longer take in new and
lasting impressions. In old age, for instance.
when we cease to be educable in any fresh en-
dowment we can still perform these construct
i've exercises can Grapple with new questions.
invent new arguments and illustrations and
decide what shall be done in original emergen-
cies. From this estimate Of comparative outlay
We may judge what are the hours and lessons
most favorable 10 the work of acquirement.
As a rule the physical system Is at its greatest
vgor In the cold season Of the year. and in the
early part OF each day. probably reaching its
acme during the two or three hours following
the first meal. In the evening. on the other
hand. when the persons energy has partially
subsidized. not much stress ought To be placed
on the available Elasticity Of the system. al
though the constructive and routine efforts
may still be kept up There are likewise many
details in the economy Of the plastic power that
/
aspect. Such are those relating 10 the strain
and remission OF the attention. 10 the pAuses
and alterations during the times Of drill. to the
moderatng OF the nervous excitement and
other matters.
The one circumstance that sums up all the
mental aids to Elasticity is concentration. II is
requisite therefore. that the conditions pro-
noting this absorption OF the mind should be
thoroughly understood In a rough way. II is
we'll known that the will is the chief Intervening
influence. and the main stimuants OF the will
are OF course pleasure and pain. We must
bear in mind. however. that the law OF the mu-
tual exclusion OF intense tumutuous delight,
and Of great intellectual exertion. forbids the
employment Of too much excitement Of any
kind when we aim at tho most exacting OF all
mental results. the forming of new adhesive
growths the imprinting Of enduring stamps on
the cranial gray matter. moderate exhilara-
ton and cheerfulness growing out of the act OF
learning itself seems to be the most genial the
most effectual means Of cementing the unions
and deepening the impressions desired in the
cerebral substance. II is this species Of gentle
stimulus that we contemplate when we speak
Of the learner having taste for his pursuit. On
the other hand. the only way in which pain can
be made to operate benefcially upon the will is
when 1t is attached 10 neglect or departure from
a prescribed subject. This is the theory Of
furnishing want OF application. and its infe-
riority TO other methods can be demonstrated
on physical grounds. Pain Is a waste OF brain
power whereas the learner needs the very
highest form OF this capacity. Punishment
works therefore at a heavy percentage Of de-
duction. which becomes still graver as II passes
into the well -defnel form OF terror Here Wa
may point out third species Of mental excite
ment. not properly identified with pleasure OF
pain. but valuable as an aid to the plastic OF
cementing operation. For this neutral excite
ment the recipe familiar 10 most students IL
continuous application OF the mind in perfect
outside stiffness. Who're all othor solicitation
OF the senses is restrained and the attention en-.
crossed upon the one thing to be learned. the
currents of the brain, by the law OF nervous
persistence. become gradually stronger and
stronger
Another condition favorable to Elasticity and
one upon which Froebel In his kindergarten
system lays great stress. is the device Of juXta
position. The twin regal faculties Of the mind
discrimination and retentiyeness. find a com.
mon support in rapidity and sharpness OF tran.
sition. What we call distinct and abiding i'm.
pressions are shocks OF identity in the midst Of
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