Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-16
A TEST OF MEMORY.
Curious Illustration of n Theory About
Mental Impressions.

Curious Illustration of n Theory About
Mental Impressions.
Rev. Cyrus Hamlin, who as a missionary
resided for more than forty years In Tur-
key, and was the founder and first presi-
dent of Robert College in Constantinople,
has collected number of interesting Incl
dents connected with his residence in that
country. Among them is one which has an
interesting bearing on the question OF mem
DRY.
1t Is a familiar contention among psy-
chologists that an incident once thorough
" presented to the human mind cannot be
effaced from memory. But for many years
DR.. Hamlin thought he had proof OF an ex-
ception to this law. After he graduated
from the theological seminary, and had de-
cided to devote his life to missionary work,
he visited Philadelphia on business con-
nectad with his work. and while there was
introduced to a gentleman, who being mucn
interested in missions, generously rendered
Dr. Hamlin financial assistance, which en-
abled him to carry on his work to much
better advantage than he could otherwise
have done.
1t was thirty years before he again visit
ed America, during which time he mad
married and family of children had
grown up around him. None of these ever
having visited the fathers native land.
they were naturally curious to learn all he
could tell them OF tnlS country, we've,
of course, especially interested in incidents
connected with his own life. Among other
stories he very often related the one con-
corning his patron, but curiousiy enough.
he found 1T impossible to recall the gentle,
mans name Every incident connected
with their Interviews even to the street
and the number of the house in which he
lived, was as plain to him as If 1t had been
but yesterday the events occurred. but to
save his life he could not think of the gen.
tleman'S name. AS time went on this lapse
of memory became so persistent as to
cause him serious annoyance, and ne adopt
ed all sorts of expedients to bring back the
name. He would take the letters OF the
alphabet one at a time and think over all
the surnameS he had ever heard, but to no
avail. Then in his imagination he would
start down the street where his KIND friend
had lived, enter his house, go through with
the ceremony of introduction and repeat
word for word, nearly as he could re-
member, the conversation which had taken
place between them, but still he could not
recall the name.
When after thirty years he returned to
his native land on visit. he took the
trouble to go to Philadelphia, In order to
settle the question which had oeen puz-
zlng him for long. He visited the
house, but found only strangers. who could
tell him nothing of the people who lived
there so many years before. so. fnally,
DR.. Hamlin abandoned the search, tnlnk-
ing that here at last was a case where
something had been thoroughly presented
to the human mind and as thoroughly eff
faced.
One night, when he had returned perma-
nently to this country. he attended large
dinner, where We're present several dis
tinguished psychologists. During the even
ing the conversation turned upon the sub
ject Of memory, and the well-knoWn SCI
entific principle was discussed. This was
too good an opportunity to be lost, and
Dr. Hamlin proceeded to relate his exper-
fence at length as an example of the OPP
posite view. namely, that incidents could
be thoroughly effaced from memory. He
was of course, listened to with great in
terest, and as he approached the end of his
story, he said with great impressiveness,
Gentlemen. there was an incident pre-
sented to my mind more than forty years
ago. and l have not been able to think of
the name of Capt Robinson from that day
to this"
When his climax was greeted by hearty
burst of laughter. the worthy doctor look
ed around in great establishment, for he
thought he had told a pretty good story,
and could see nothing in it to provoke
mirth 1t was Some time before he saw
that he had been CONDEMNED out of his
own mouth