A New and Improved System of Mnemonics/Chapter 2

by George Jackson

Layout 2

CHAP II.

OF THE NUMERALS, &c.

In the Preface it has been observed that the Consonants composing the common Numerals were the initials of the first nine symbols, in their order in the alphabet.

1	2	3
B C	D F	G H
4	5	6	W or X		stands for 0.
J K	L	M N
7	8	9
P Q (Z)	R S	T V

Here B or C stands for 1, D or F for 2, and so continued to 9. Vowels are used only to cement Consonants, for the formation of words: as

No. 1	Bee	3389	Ghost
11	Cub	16662669	Commandment
2	Day	280	Draw
22	Deaf, &c.	10	Bow
33	Hog	108	Boxer, &c. &c.

The Great Numerals, or method of abbreviation, will be presently noticed. To treasure up in the memory a great number of Figures, is a pleasing exercise, in which pupils will strive to outvie each other. For instance: suppose it were required to remember the following—

138109956609569826

It would be found extremely difficult to fix them in the memory by the common method; but let two or more be taken at a time, and formed into words, one word being placed in a compartment, as follows:

1 2	3 4	5 6
Beg	Rob	Weave
7 8	9 10	11 12
Value	Man	Wit
13 14	15 16	17 18
Lion	Tree	Fan

The whole are then disposed of:—B and G standing for 1 and 3, R and B for 8 and 1, &c. a Vowel placed between will make the word beg, and so with respect to the rest.

The recollection may be assisted by forming the above into a sentence, as, " It is better to beg than to Rob," &c.

In order to shew which is the eighth figure, divide 8 by 2, or take the half, and you will find a 4. It must be observed, that the uneven numbers are the first, and the even are the last, consonants in each compartment. If more than two consonants are placed in a square, divide by the number in each.

Having advanced thus far with respect to place, it will be proper to proceed to what are termed the Great Numerals.

 

When not preceded by other Consonants.		W X or ST	stand for One Hundred
		TH or SH	One Thousand
		CH	Ten Thousand
		WH or NT	One Hundred Thousand
		Y	A Million

 

Example—We		. . . . . . . .	100
Example—Ox
Example—Owe

Stab	101
Star	108
Therefore	1828
Chicken	10,146
Yourself	1,008,852

Let not the inert or irresolute here make a stand, or start back at apparent difficulties, which, on a steady determination to pursue the science through all its windings and mazes, will vanish like phantoms that appear as lions in the way to the slothful and inactive; whilst the patience and perseverance of the diligent will be rewarded with a gradual increase of light and knowledge, till they have attained the summit of their desires.

Where two Great Numerals occur in the same word, the first only is to stand, as—Church, 10,813. But when preceded by other Consonants, they lose their character of One Hundred, One Thousand, &c. and W and X become each a cypher; TH and ST, Hundred only, not One Hundred; TH or SH, Thousand only, not One Thousand, &c. &c.

Example—Best .. 200	Last .. 500
Example—Best Mother	608
Example—Best Flash	25,000
Example—Best Dash	2000
Example—Best Dashing	3063	&c.
Example—Best You	1,000,000

Y may be used as a Vowel in all cases where it cannot be mistaken for a Consonant, as in Revenue, Astronomy, &c.

L. S. D.

For the remembering of Pounds, Shillings, and Pence, contrive, if possible, to have one word for each, thus—

(Words may do)£828..6..2

When there are no Shillings, but Pounds and Pence, or Pounds and Shillings, but no Pence, any word may be inserted of two Consonants, pro-vided the first be not either B, C, or W. Any of the Great Numerals will do, save the W. If nei-ther Shillings nor Pence, two words may supply their place in like mar manner. If no Pounds, take the character for Million, Hundred, Thousand, or the like, where it is certain it cannot be mistaken, as in the Common Transactions of Life.

If there are more Consonants in the Pounds than will constitute one word, they must be formed into more, care being taken that the two last words are the Shillings and Pence, if there be any.

Assimilations may be often found difficult to make, but the very act of endeavouring to associate (as may be seen in the next chapter) will tend to fix them permanently on the mind, and render them more familiar to the understanding. Thus the use of employing Consonants for Figures, and using Vowels for the forming of proper words, has, we hope, been clearly demonstrated.

Learners must recollect, that, by placing Vowels either before, between, or after the Consonants, they will have a never-ending variety of words at command, of which they may make their own choice.