Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-10-26

IRON the pelceptlYe Faculties anu
their products-the percepts-we pass
To tn representative faculties of the
mind. As the derivation of the term
implies the representative (to present
agan) faculties are those which bring
up previous knowledge in some FORM
and depend on the memory. Without
memory there could be no representa-
ton. The simplest form Of represent
alive knowledge is
MEMORY.
An impression is made upon the mind
through one or several of the senses and
after the impression has passed away
the representation of the knowledge Is
called up by an effort OF the mind, or
by association and relation 70 some
similar or kindred percept which may
at the moment be the object of the mind $
activity. When past percepts are re-
produced it is act of simple memory.
There may be representations OF knowl-
edges gained through any or all OF the
senses; as the memory OF sight
sound, a smell, taste. feel. Inc
higher the order or rank of the sense
through which the knowledge comes
the more exact and vivid are the repre-
sensations of them IN the mind rs pro-
duced BY memory. For example, the
memory of a sight is usually more exact
and can be called up with greater WV
idness than one of sound; and, again,
the memory of sound is generally
more exact and vivid than one gained
through one of the lower senses.
VIvIDNEss.
is dependent on the present activity OF
the mind. the remoteness in time OF the
perception recalled, and, again, on the
degree of activity aroused when the
percept was first formed. To illustrate
these three elements which enter into
vividness, we recall with greater exact
ness and vividuess when we put forth
an effort to do so. or when we are ar
oused to extreme activity 10y some pres
ent condition or circumstance. We re-
member with greater exactness ana WV
idness those things which are recent IN
occurrence,than those which are fal
back in time. Lastly, some terrible
sight. accident, fright, incident, which
arouses the mind TO extreme activity
will be remembered all through oul
lives. when some passing event which
occupies our attention without arousing
great activity of the mind may not be
remembered more than few weeks
DAYS or hours. The power of the mine
TO retain percepts or any other knowl
edge is termed the
RETENTIvENEss
of memory. This power is dependen
on the activity of the mind when thu
impression is made and the complete
ness of the knowledge gained, as wei
as the number of times and force witt
which the knowledge. is impressed Of
the mind. The
CAPACITY
of the memory is often incre ased by tn
very superfciality with which know
edge is gained. 1t we gain a Sigh
knowledge of many. things and grou
them together Lby mere relations
proximity, resemblance or contrast an
iuxta-position, the capacity OF the men
orv may be increased, but 1t is at tn
expense of retentiveness, which is b
far the most desirable and useful power
In school work, the process general
known as ..cramming" is merely il
creasing the capcity of the memory
the expense of its retentiveness. a PIT
nil NAV drill himself to commit who
pages, by impressing the sound of tn
words. their relation to each other, thu
is. their order of sequence and payin
little attention to the sense. But II
break is made and he loses the order
succession, he cannot continue.
prompted by giving him IA cue of
few words, or a word perhaps, he ca
take up the line of succession and 60 o
But every teacher learns before he HI
been long in the work that superhci
memory is tleeting-often does not la
from morning to night. On the 9th
hand, where, language is perfectly u
derstood, and every word carries its II
meaning-brings up flood of kindr
ideas for assocjation-the memory mi
not be so exact in calling the eXa
word forms and their sequence yet I
chain of thought is preserved for Ion
period of time, perhaps through IN
gr, 49,. -, oIaS of tho memory ha