The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-03-13
A TRICK OF MEMORY.
After Forty Years Name Came Back
IN an Amusing Way.


Rev. Cyrus Hamlin, who as missionary
resided for more than 40 years in Turkey,
and was the founder and first president of
Robert College, in Constantinople, has col
lected number of interesting incidents
connected with his residence in that coun-
try Among them is one which has an
interesting bearing on the question of
memory, says the Washington Star.
1t is familiar contention among psy
biologists that an incident once Thoroughly
presented to the human mind cannot be
effaced from memory. But for many years
DR.. Hamln thought he had proof of an
exception to this law. After he graduated
from the theological seminary, and had
decided to devote his life to missionary
work, he visited Philadelphia business
connected with his work, and while there
was introduced to a gentleman, who, being
much interested in missions, generously
rendered DR.. Hamlin financial assistance,
which enabled him to carry on his work
to better advantage than he could other
wise have done.
1t was 30 years before he again visited
America, during which time he had mar
ried and a family of children had grown
up around him. None of these having
ever visited the fathers native land, they
were naturally curious to learn all he
could tell them of this country, and We're
of course, especially interested in incidents
connected with his own life. Among other
stories he often related the one concerning
his patron, but curiously enough, he found
1T impossible to recall the gentleman's
name. Every incident connected with their
interviews, even to the street and number
of the house in which he had lived, was as
plain to him as if it had been but yesterday
the events occurred, but to save his life
he could not think of the gentleman's
name AS time went on this lapse of
memory became so persistent as to cause
SQrin1lS o6 fo1
sorts of expedients to bring back the name
He would take the letters of the alphabet
one at time, and think over all the sur
names he had ever heard but to no avail
Then, in his imagination, he would start
down the street where his friend had lived,
enter his house, go through with the cere-
mony of introduction, and repeat word for
word, as nearly as he could remember, the
conversation which had taken place be-
TWEEN them, but still he could not recall
the name.
When after 30 years he returned to his
native land on a visit, he took the trouble
to go to Philadelphia, in order to settle the
question which had been puZzling him for
SO 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, finally. DR.. Hamlin
abandoned the search, thinking that here
at last was a case where something had
been thoroughly presented to the human
mind and as thoroughly effaced.
One night when he had returned per-
manently to this country, he attended
large dinner, where were present several
distinguished psychologist. During the
evening the conversation turned upon the
subject of memory, and the we'll known
scientific principle was discussed. This
was too good an opportunity to be lost, and
Dr. Hamlin proceeded to relate his expert
ence at length an example of the oppo-
site view, namely, that incidents could be
thoroughly effaced from meomry. He was,
of course, listened to with great interest,
and as he approached the end of his story,
he said with great impressiveness: Gen
tlemen, there is an incident presented to
my mind more than 40 years ago, and [
have not been able to think of the name
OF Capt. Robinson from that day to this.
When the climax was greeted by hearty
burst of laughter the worthy doctor looked
around in great establishment, for he
thought he had told 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,