The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-29
Memory for Names and Faces.

In one of the big hotels at Old Point
Comfort there is employed a middle-aged
cOlored man who draws a good salary
because of his remarkable memory for
faces. He attends TO the hat rack that
stands in the hall at the entrace to the
big dining-rOOm. As the men pass IN 10
breakfast or lunch or dinner they hand
their hats TO George without any anxiety
as TO its fate If they have been at the
hotel for several days. If they happen
90 be newcomers they are apt TO hesitate
a moment before intrusting hat without
any check to a man who may have
hundred hats on the rack back Of him.
Their hesitation doesn't bother George.
He knows that they will get over 1t after
they have gone through the operation
several times and received their own hat
back each time.
Many of the hats are OF the same make.
and To an unframed person II would seem
almost impossible TO fit the hat to the man
correctly eacn time. George says that II
is a matter OF mere practice. lie places
the man who gives him hat by some
popularity in dress OF feature, and then
ne connects this popularity with the
make size and color of the hat, and with
the place in the rack where he puts IL.
When the man walks out of the dining
room George meets him with his hat.
Nearly all Of the large summer or winter
resort hotels employ such men for this
purpose, and, as rule, they are cOlored
men.
IF 1 had the memory for faces that
this colored man has" said well-known
politician several years ago" should
not have been defeated for Congress In
this last election. a memory for faces
and names is a most valuable gift to a
man in public life. and IL really IS gip
with some men, j have tried TO acquire
It and can't l have offended more con-
stituents whom / ought 10 have known
by being unable to recognize them than
l have by any act in Congress-
No man in public life of his time was
more famous for remembering names ana
faces than James G.. Blaine, and he well
knew the value OF this faculty. Probably
a good many OF the stories that are told
of Blaine's remarkable memory for names
and faces are exaggerated, but all men
who ever knew him can vOuch for two
or three stories, each from their own
experiences. They can tell OF men who
met Mr.. Blaine casually at receptions
and then met him several years after
ward when Mr.. Blaine not Oniy remem-
bered their names and faces, but recalled
the occasion on which he met them.
Nearly twelve years ago a young man
who had Just joined the STAFF of New
York newspaper was assigned TO inter-
view Mr.. Blaine, who had come 10 New
York for a few days. Mr. Blaine was al
ways an apprOachable man Tor reporters,
and his knowledge OF newspaper work
and wide acquaintance with newspaper
men helped him to estimate very justly
the results that were likely TO follow
any interview that he might give. He
looked over this young man (Mr. Blank,
for shorD as the new man that he was,
With the newspaper men whom he knew
Mr.. Blaine frequently talked cOnfiden-
TALLY. He once said that his confidence
on such occasions had never been violated.
With new men he was exceedingly eau
tious. Mr.. Blank was young man OF
sense, and he frankly told Mr.. Blaine
that his experience was limited, and then
he asked him If he wouldn't say some
thing about the weather or his vacation
plans or any other subject that ne thought
could be haudled by an inexperienced re-
porter without danger TO himself. The
young mans frankness interested Mr..
Blaine, but he was a busy man, and the
interview that he gave was short and
unimportant. IL was an event OF no small
consequence TO the young reporter, how
ever and he remembered IL with inter-
est. Five years later Mr.. Blaine was
again in New York. and he received half
a dozen newspaper men, among them
being Mr.. Blank. who had become one
OF the political reporters on his news
paper. They were introduced TO Mr..
Blaine 10y a newspaper man who had
known him for many years, but before
the introducer mentioned Mr.. Blanks
name Mr.. Blaine held out his hand ana
said:
How do you DO, Mr.. Blank You are
still in newspaper work, / see2"
Yes, but / wish that you would tell me
how you happen TO remember my manner
1t is five years since l made an attempt
TO interview you, and you havn't seen
me since"
II have always made IL a point 10 re-
member names and faces. and from
long practice l seldom forget" replied
Mr.. Blaine.
Simon Cameron owed no little share or
his political power In Pennsylvania 10
his memory of persons and their family
relations Like Mr.. Blaine, he always
paid close attention TO the name OF
person introduced and he fixed the per-
sons face and coupled II with the name.
Alexander the Great Is said 10 have
known the name OF every man In his
army. Napoleon did not know every man
i'm his army. but he did know nearly
every man who had distinguished himself
by any act OF bravery or had done some
thing to displease him. A good memory
for names and faces is not necessarily
an attribute of a broadly educated mind.
In the case OF the colored man at Old
Point Comfort II is natural gift that
has been developed by constant use.
With men Of broad intelligence. like MIR.
blaine IL was undoubtedly acquired. be-
cause he saw early in his political career
no immense service IL would be 70 him.
New York Sun.