The morning call., 1892-03-19
THOUGHT CULTURE.
DIR. HirSchfelder Tells How to
Improve the Memory.
The Lane Lecture Course - Mnemotechnic
Methods Of Training the Mind of Little
Value-A Few Hints.

Dr. joseph o. HirsehfeIder, at the Cooper
Medical College last evening. delivered a
lecture on ''How to Cultivate the Memory"
Every seat in the auditorium was occupied,
and the learned gentleman was greeted with
enthusiastic applause when introduced by
DIR. Lane
Dr. Hirschfelder said that the underlying
principle of all useful methods OF memory
training was the law that all function must
be gradually acquired. The question may
be asked: Is it really good thing to have
an excellent memory? Many idiots possess
most excellent memories. Though this
shows that memory is not all there is to
mlnd, II does not show that it stands in the
way OF high order of intelligence. Nearly
all great minds have been endowed with
phenomenal memories. What must have
been the power If recollection of Shake
speare. who seems to have had all knowledge
at bis fingers ends. That the mind should
be able to utilize its experiences, il should
be able TO bring them within the field of Op-
GRAFTON, and that field is consciousness. But
memory alone viii not make mind any more
than grain alone will make -four. Weneed
the mill TO grind ii before il can be utilized
as food.
MNEMOTECHNIC METHODS.
After explaining the mnemotechnc meth
obs oil training the memory taught by the
greeks and Romans, and plans in use to-
day, DR.. Hrsehfelder declared them to be
Of very little use; their value chiefly con-
sIstlng in acquiring tricks OF memory, such
as VIII enable one TO readily recall any
number OF words. They are no better than
crutches, being useful only to those who
cannot walk and hindrances to those who
have the use of their limbs. Memory is
simply reproduction OF former state of
the mind with knowledge of the fact that
that state previously existed.
The first step in the cultivation OF the
memory, therefore, must be strong effect
upon the mind. The first thing TO be done
Is 10 strengthen the intensity of our visual,
auTai AMI motor pictures, or n0n-pictorial
thoughts. Visual imagery should be de-
I yel0ped to its utmost degree.
The speaker said it was his opinion that
charging the blood With cdTbOnie acid gas
by holding the breath would render mental
pictures, which beforehand had been pale
and cloudy, bright and clearly defined. The
attention should be concentrated on one
idea IN OrGer to fix il in the mind. We are
unconscious of an occurrence when our at
tention IS not directed to it.
HOW To CULTIVATE MEMORY
We should look at thing as if our lives
depended upon knowing all about it. Fleet
lug thoughts are never well remembered.
The greater the number of other thoughts
or sensations with which that TO be remen-
Oered enters into relation, the greater the
facility with which IL may be recalled. The
more Intense and generaIiZed thought has
become, the more available is It for pur-
poses OF memory
q 10 remember we'll We must arouse an in
terest, natural or artificial. in tie matter in
hand. Lack OF power OK concentration
gives rise TO MUD wandering. In mental
training the first thing to he done is to learn
put the mind absolutely at rest. To do
This, SIT In quiet room, and make the mind
perfect blank, keeping IL so for five min
utes, more or less. When able 20 do this
single thought should be held in the mind,
clear and sharp and unmiXed with other
thoughts. To do this look at an object in
tho room, close the eyes and keep that pic
iure rs vlyiuiy before the mind as possible.
The same exercise might afterWaTd b. per-
formed in a noisy place where the sounds
produced are not such as specially interest
the eXperimenterS; as, for example, on a
car The hnal step IN this course OF men
tai training Is 10 keep the pictures clear and
distinct from all other thoughts in room ia
which conversation Is going on in which one
IS interested. Such system of thought
training Will In short time cure the worst
form Of miud-waEdering.
THE SECRET OF SUCCESS.
1t Is by calling thoughts into conscious
ness again and again that the facility Of
their recall becomes enhanced. Review
and re-review is the secret of successful
memory culture.
In all bodily acts lack of confidence creates
lack OF skill. So IL is with the mental now
ers. Apprehension of inability to remember
creates it, ana one failure begets another.
Memory is only one of the tools of the mind
The r0cesses of thought NAV be compared
10 chemical action, IN which memory fur
nishes the material.