Memory Systems New and Old/Latest Memory Systems
PART II.
THE LATEST MEMORY SYSTEMS AND THEIR CRITICS.
WITH BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MNEMONICS,
1325-1888.
By G. S. FELLOWS, M.A.
At the present time there are but two memory systems in America worthy of serious consideration, viz. Those of "Loisette" and White; while in England, one, Dr. Pick's, stands pre-eminent, and these, therefore, will claim our chief attention. It is learned that a new memory system is about to enter the field, to be known as "Shedd's Natural Memory Method."
While other systems have come and gone, none has stood the test of time as that of the venerable Dr. Pick. The testimonials of 1851 are only surpassed by those of 1888, from the highest educational authorities in England, while in earlier years his reputation was not less in France and Germany. His modest claims, in striking contrast to the preposterous pretensions of others, no doubt contributed largely to his unwavering success through more than forty years. To-day the Westminster Review, August, 1888, on the subject of memory, says:
"Original ideas generally pass, during their struggle for existence, through three phases: (1) their value is ignored; (2) their originality is disputed, and attempts, more or less successful, are made to misappropriate them; and (3) their value and originality are alike recognized and are duly ascribed to their real authors. Dr. Pick's have already passed through the second phase, and now at length he has the satisfaction of seeing them enter the third."
Prof. White's Natural Method of Memorizing and Memory Training, the name of which correctly characterizes it, is pre-eminently the work of a scholar. As a System none of its predecessors is more worthy of careful attention, and none has been more appreciatively received.
This system embraces most if not all the valuable features contained in the "Loisette" System, with none of its rubbish. Presenting no absurd claims, and quite content to be judged by its results, the success of this latest candidate for public patronage is certainly remarkable.
Prof. White's classes at Chautauqua were more successful than those of "Loisette" at the same place the previous year.
As to the merits of the "Loisette" System, opinions vary greatly, from the unqualified commendation of Prof. Procter, to the sweeping condemnation by Prest. Seelye, of Amherst College, who does not hesitate to express the opinion that "the entire 'Loisette' System is absolutely worthless." The latter opinion cannot be e lightly passe over, as Prest. Seelye is a recognized authority on the subject, and the author of the articles Memory and Mnemonics in Johnson's Cyclopædia, and as he has been for more than thirty years a teacher of mental science, it may be presumed that he does not speak without knowledge, while his own marvellous memory, so well known to generations of college students, will not detract from the weight of his opinion.
"Mark Twain" and several other eminent men first heartily endorsed the "Loisette" system, and later, for reasons best known to themselves, peremptorily recalled their testimonials.
Of students in the same classes some declare themselves to have been "humbugged," while others are equally sincere in the belief that their five dollars was well invested. What is the meaning of such conflicting testimony? The explanation usually given by "Prof. Loisette" is that the dissatisfied ones have failed to follow his directions. But there is another, and more probable explanation, and a study of the character and previous training of the malcontents reveals the fact that they are those who are already familiar with the subject, and have no new ideas presented for their consideration; while to others these ideas come as a new revelation, and are, accordingly, of inestimable value.
Had "Prof. Loisette" been a little less arrogant in his pretensions, he would have built on a more enduring foundation, and his continued success would have been assured, while to-day his star is no longer in the ascendant.
In 1886 a pamphlet appeared in England, by F. Appleby, entitled "Loisette's Art of Never Forgetting compared with Mnemonics." Just at this time "Loisette" decided to try his fortune in America, where he hoped to encounter less criticism, and all went well until he reached Washington. Some one has suggested a correlation between Washington and Waterloo. The New York World of June 29th, under the heading "His Former Pupils Rebel," shows what the Washington pupils thought of him, and gave some of his personal history. While the same enterprising sheet on July 26th, under the caption, "Loisette Gives It Up," gave some still more startling facts in his career. A brief but trenchant editorial appeared in The Independent July 5th. Last of all, the staid and conservative Westminster Review (Aug. 1888) enters the list in a comparison of "Loisette" and Pick, with a page and a half devoted to "Loisette" Exposed. No one interested in the "Loisette" system, or the "Loisette"-Fellows controversy, should fail to read this article.
The following clever hit on the Loisette System is worthy of reproduction.
A MEMORY LESSON.
Some of the Beauties of a Scientific Modern System.
(Luke Sharp, in Detroit Free Press.)
I was sitting in my room in the Free Press building the other day, working hard, with my feet on the desk, when the doorway darkened and I looked up. There stood, with a hand on each of the door-posts, a most disreputable-looking specimen of a man. I sized him up instantly as a drunkard, and made up my mind that he wanted to work me for twenty-five cents.
In this I was wrong, and it shows how a person should be slow in coming to an opinion about an unknown fellow-creature. He wanted only ten cents.
"Say, mister," he said, "you don't happen to have ten cents you could spare?"
"You have struck it the first time. I don't."
"Say, mister, I haven't had anything to eat for twenty-four hours."
"Then why in the old Harry don't you go and have dinner?
They set up some good meals at the first-class hotels in this town.
"Ah! do they? Now commercial travellers have told me that they can't get a decent meal in the city. I'll halve the difference with you. Make it five cents, boss."
"I can't keep myself in lager and so don't intend to try to supply with beer any tramp that comes along."
The fellow coolly came in and sat down.
"I see you are mistaken in my character. I have never tasted a drop of liquor in my life. I was at one time in one of the best wholesale houses in this town, but was ruined by my desire for improvement. I was often warned that I was taking the wrong course; but, alas! I did not see my error until it was too late. Most of my comrades used to take a glass of beer now and then, and go to the baseball games, and be out nights, but I stuck to study, and you see what I am."
I was a little bewildered at this. It seemed to be reversing the preconceived ideas I had on the subject, and I weakly allowed the fellow to proceed.
"Yes, I am now an awful example of the terrible folly of taking a wrong course. My beer-drinking companions are pointed to as model citizens, while I am practically a tramp."
"How did it happen?"
"Well, the finishing stroke was the memory lessons. I had naturally a good memory, and my firm told me that if I learned to speak French they would send me to Paris as their agent there. I pitched into French and was advised to take memory lessons, as that was a great help in acquiring a language."
"And was it?" "In a way—yes. You know how they strengthen the memory, I suppose?"
"No. Never heard it could be done."
"Well, the first thing they do they make you swear an awful oath you will never divulge any of the methods, and then you will have to sign a bond to that effect with a heavy penalty attached."
"Then if I were you I would not tell anything about it. I don't care to know."
"Oh, that's all right. I can plead that I have forgotten all about the oath. That is one of the benefits of the memory system. You can forget anything so easily. Yes, sir. Now if you were to lend me five dollars I would very likely forget all about it before tomorrow." "You astonish me."
"It's quite true. In that way the system is very valuable. Now to show you how the thing works. My girl's name———"
"Oh, you have a girl, then?"
"Had, my dear fellow; had"
"Excuse me, if I have brought up sad recollections,"
"It don't matter in the least, I assure you. You see I can forget it right away."
"Well, about the system?"
"Oh, yes; I had forgotten. What were we talking about?"
"You said your girls name was———"
"Exactly. My girl's name was———"
Here his brows wrinkled up and he said to himself audibly:
"Girl—dress—dressmaker—thread—spool—cotton—cotton-mill—spinner—bobbin—bob—Robert—Robert—Roberta. That's it. Her name was Roberta—nice girl, too."
"What was her last name?"
"Her last name? Let me see." Here he fell into the same sort of an audible brown study and murmured: "Roberta—Robert—Bob—bobbin—cotton—factory—mill—mills. That's it again. Mills is the name—Miss Mills. Let's see what did I say her first name was? Girl—dress—dressmaker———"
"Never mind going over that again. You said her name was Roberta."
"That's it. Roberta—Ro———"
"Mills?"
"You're right, Roberta Mills; awfully nice girl, too. She lives in Windsor. Know her?"
"No, I don't."
"Well, she's lost to me forever. I don't know that it matters now. I have rarely the money to pay the ferry fare, and if I had it I might wish to spend it otherwise."
"I don't doubt it. How did the separation come about?"
"Memory system did it. I suppose you understand the system now?"
"I can't say that I do."
"Well, you see, you corral any word you want to remember."
"I have heard of corralling an animal, but———"
"Same thing, my boy, same thing. You get a word up in a corner, so that it can't escape you. That is where the system comes in so good in learning French. Now, for instance, supposing you want the French for water. You corral the two words together. Water makes you think of whiskey, doesn't it?"
"Natural combination."
"Of course it is. Now whiskey makes you think of drunk. A man who is addicted to drink naturally neglects his business and runs in debt."
"Quite correct."
"Then drunk recalls debt, see? Well, a man who is in debt owes everybody, doesn't he?"
"If they are foolish enough to trust him—yes."
"Very well, then, there you have it. Water—whiskey—drunk—debt—owe—eau, the French for water. Easy as rolling off a log. Now, to put the system to everyday use, supposing your wife gave you a letter to post."
"You may as well suppose something probable while you're at it. She wouldn't do it. She knows I'd forget it."
"Well, I'm just supposing a case. You remember that you have forgotten what your wife told you to do. You say wife—that reminds you of expense—expense recalls cash—cash means money—time is money. So you think of time, makes you think of a slugging match———"
"What's that?"
"Why a fight where they call time. The match suggests betting. There you are at bet. Betting is against the law, so you have 'law.' But betting is only against the letter of the law, the statute is not enforced, so you have letter and then you go and post it."
"Wonderful. Still, it seems to me that it would be easier to remember the letter itself than go through all that."
"So it would if you were not a victim of this system; but once that gets a hold on you you can't remember anything unless you corral the words. That's how I came to lose my situation."
"Oh! How did that happen?"
"Well, a man by the name of—of—" here he murmured a lot of words to himself, and then brightening up said, "Smith-by the name of Smith, telephoned me to tell my boss as soon as he came in to call him up. There is the telephone That suggested 'ring;' ring naturally brought to mind 'alderman'———"
"How is that? I don't see that,"
"Why the aldermen always form rings and the fellow who wants to get anything has to pay the ring."
"You don't tell me?"
"Fact. Well, ring shows that a man is a fool who expects things to be otherwise; fool suggests idiot; idiot suggests asylum; asylum, prison; a prison is a workshop; a workshop must have a blacksmith shop; such a shop must have a smith, and there you are. Well, when the boss came in I went up to him working on the corral and said: 'Ring—alderman—fool—idiot'—but before I got to 'prison' I was kicked into the street."
"That was unfortunate. Why didn't you go back and explain?"
"I have often started out to do so, but I always forgot it before I could get there."
"And I suppose that because you lost your situation you lost your girl."
"Oh, no. I had forgotten about that. Glad you reminded me. No, that was a case of a good corral going wrong. It sometimes does that. I went over to see her, and was working the corral for all it was worth. When I got there I ran on in this way: 'Girl—dress—dressmaker—sewing—thread—needle—pins—pinafore—Josephine."
"I don't see how you get that last word."
"Why Josephine is the principal character in 'Pinafore', you know. Well, when I met her I said, 'Hello, Josephine,' and she thought I was thinking of another girl, and then it was all day with me. You see I should have gone on 'spools' from 'thread,' and instead of that I went on needles, and then, of course, when a man gets on 'needles' you can't tell at which girl you will bring up."
"Well, I am sorry for you. I have been very much interested in your case. I never knew there was any memory system in existence. Here is half a dollar for your trouble."
"I am very much obliged to you, I assure you. Won't you come out and have something?"
"No, thank you. I never drink."
"Oh, that's so. Neither do I. I had forgotten. You see I forget everything."
"That's all right; good-by."
I noticed on looking out of the window that he didn't forget to go into the saloon on the corner.
One who prates too conspicuously of his own originality is apt to have his claims called in question. Those "Loisette" students who are fond of tracing resemblances may find something of interest in the following pages to compare with the teachings of the "sole originator, proprietor, and teacher thereof."
Laws of Memory.
"Aristotle (384-322 b.c.), the earliest writer who attempts any classification of the laws of suggestion distinctly includes under the law of co-adjacence whatever stands as parts of the same whole; as, e.g., parts of the same building, traits of the same character, species of the same genus, the sign and the thing signified, different wholes of the same part, correlate terms, as the abstract and concrete," etc.—Haven: Mental Philosophy. 1857.
"The earliest known attempt to lay down the laws whereby thought succeeds to thought, is that contained in Aristotle's treatise on memory. He enumerates three different principles of mental resuscitation, viz., similarity [inclusion], contrariety [exclusion], and co adjacency [concurrence]. He has been followed by most other philosophers as regards all the three principles."—Chambers's Cyclopædia, Article Association of Ideas.
"The Laws of Association.— . . . Accordingly it has been established that thoughts are associated, that is, are able to excite each other: 1st, If co-existent [concurrent), or immediately successive, in time; 2d, if their objects are conterminous or adjoining in space; 3d, if they hold dependence to each other of cause and effect, or of mean and end, or of whole and part; 4th, if they stand in relation either in contrast [exclusion] or of similarity [inclusion]; 5th, if they are the operations of the same power, or of different powers conversant about the same object; 6th, if their objects are the sign and the signified; or 7th, even if their objects are accidentally denoted by the same sound."—Bowen. 1861.
"Laws Governing the Reproduction of Ideas.
"The most ancient philosophers, including Aristotle, have laid down laws and principles respecting the reproduction of ideas. These laws and principles are based upon experience and observation, and are the following: . . .
Analogous ideas reproduce each other.
Analogous ideas are those which have one or more qualities in common; for example, tree and branch. If these be analyzed, it will be found that all the qualities or attributes of the latter are contained in [inclusion] the former.
Opposite ideas recall each other.
Those ideas are termed opposite which have one or more qualities in common, but which at the same time contain qualities,
. . . which exclude [exclusion] or oppose each other.
. . ."With a view of showing how a true association of ideas assisted the memory, he [Dr. Pick] applied a test to his audience, and asked them to associate the following ideas: Memory or remembrance, history, wars, revolutions, gunpowder, explosions, steam, railways, celerity, electric telegraph, Atlantic cable, America cotton industry, England, progress, civilization, Chinese missionaries, church, Reformation, Germany, Guttenberg, printing, and newspapers. Having only once enumerated these ideas, he requested the audience to repeat them in their consecutive order, then backwards, and afterwards indiscriminately. This was done successfully, and the audience seemed to be surprised with their own proficiency."—From Report of Dr. Pick's Lecture at Oxford University, Morning Post, London, November 25, 1859.
Of a series of words similar to the above, Dr. Pick says:
"Here, then, is a chain of ideas to be associated link by link so as to be capable of being recalled to the mind whenever it is desired to do so. Now, if we have taken care, in going through the list, always to compare only two ideas together, or at the same time, without for the moment paying any attention to the rest, the reader is requested to try whether he knows the list sufficiently well to go through it in the above order. If he has paid sufficient attention to, and distinctly understood, the simple principle and method of practice which has been laid down, he will be able to do so. When the first word or idea is taken, it will immediately reproduce the second, the second will reproduce the third, and so on, with astonishing facility, through the series, which, with diligence and intelligence, may be extended to almost any length. But this is not all. Not only can all the ideas be recalled by going on consecutively from the beginning; but if any one of them be taken, all the others can be recalled when one has adequate experience in this practical system of mnemonics. Again, if, instead of beginning with the first word, the student begins with the last, and thus proceeds inversely, he will find that he can remember and recite the words or ideas with equal facility. The cause of this facility and certainty of result is, that no more than two words have been compared in the mind at the same moment. And thus, as the first can only recall the second, and the second the third, and so on, none can fail. And again inversely, the thirtieth will recall the twenty-ninth, the twenty-ninth will recall the twenty-eighth, until all the ideas have been recalled.—On Memory.
So like Dr. Pick is "Prof. Loisette" in the essential principle of his system and in his method of applying it, that some one has propounded this conundrum: "What is the difference between Dr. Pick's system and 'Loisette's'? One is Dr. Pick's and the other is a Picked up system."
Interrogative Analysis.
"Our national resources are developed by an earnest culture of the arts of peace."
Concerning what is an assertion here made?
Concerning "resources."
What is asserted of "resources"?
"National" resources.
What national resources?
"Our" national resources.
How are our national resources developed?
"By an earnest culture of the arts of peace."
By what culture?
By "earnest" culture.
What earnest culture?
"An" earnest culture.
What special culture?
Culture "of the arts of peace."
Of what arts?
"The" arts "of peace."
S. W. Clarke's Practical Grammar. Subj. Analysis. New York, 1864.
Any Book at One Reading.
"When we read a book on a subject already familiar to us, we can reproduce the entire work, at the expense of the labor requisite to remember the additions it makes to our previous stock of knowledge."—Bain: "Senses and the Intellect," p. 538. London, 1855.
"To aid the retention of the contents of a book, the chapters must be associated together by selecting the primary or leading ideas of each; and to each of the latter, again, a few further suggestive ideas in the chapters may be joined. The number of ideas that should be selected from each chapter will depend on the nature of the subject, the degree of sequence or relationship between the parts, and the completeness with which it is desired to be remembered."—Lyon Williams, "Science of Memory," 1866, pp. 130, 131.
How to Remember Names.
Associate the name to be remembered with the looks of the person, or any peculiarity he may possess. Form a connection between these . . . and on seeing him again, his features will recall the name. The names of places may be remembered by associating anything striking or peculiar in connection with them, with the name.—Haney: "Art of Memory," 1866, page 45.
In defence of "Loisette's" originality, it should be said that he rarely uses less than three exclamation points at a time, where the average intellect contents itself with one. In grammatical construction he is also a law unto himself, distinctively "Loisettian," here at least he is truly "unique and original." He is also the first to apply his method of advertising to purposes of Education, a method hitherto looked down upon and monopolized by patent medicine venders.
But valuable space must not be used to enlarge upon the merits of the "Loisette" system, because that information is so easily accessible elsewhere. Let every reader of this book send to "Professor Loisette," 237 Fifth Ave., New York, for his prospectus, and let him carefully read what "Loisette" has to say of himself, his system, and other peoples' systems. The first and last subjects are handled with commendable vigor and originality; the last is prosecuted with a zeal worthy of imitation by the proverbial lawyer pleading a bad case.
The "Loisette" system is undoubtedly of great, even inestimable, value. Besides the six lesson papers, one has other lessons thrown in, which are not even hinted at in the prospectus, and not the least valuable part is the prospectus itself. For those ambitious to learn "any book in one reading," this is commended. It is small, and better yet, it is "unique." "The worst case of mind-wandering" can be cured thereby; it is also guaranteed a "perfect cure for discontinuity," and best of all, "the system itself is no longer required." Thus the faithful student can make his "two farewells" at trifling expense. Besides the "lost memory restored" any one who faithfully carries out this valuable exercise will be rewarded with a copy of Memory Systems, New and Old.
There follows a brief sketch of "Loisette's" career as obtained from published records. As revealed in Loisette Exposed, his real name is Marcus Dwight Larrowe, and this fact is corroborated by President Dwight, of Yale College.
Statistics of the Class of 1854 of Yale College. Collected by M. N. Whitmore, Class Secretary. Published by order of the Class. New Haven: Thos. J. Stafford, Printer. 1858.
"Marcus Dwight Larrowe, born in Cohocton, Steuben County, New York, May 5, 1832.
"Entered Sophomore from class of 1853, a resident of Cohocton, September, 1851. Student in Yale Law School, 1854—56. Admitted to the bar of Conn., Feb., 1856.
"Settled as a lawyer in New York City, May, 1856.
(Office at 15 Centre Street.)
"Married to Miss Emily Thompson, of New Haven, Conn., Dec. 11th, 1855."
A Record of the Class of 1854—Yale. Personal Statistics of thirteen years published by order of the Class.
Albany, N. Y., J. Munsell, 82 State Street. 1867.
"MARCUS DWIGHT LARROWE, New York City, son of John and Elizabeth (Holmes) Larrowe, was born at Cohocton, Steuben County, N. Y., May 5, 1832. He entered our class at the beginning of Sophomore year.
"After graduation he was a student in the Yale Law School until February, 1856, when he was admitted to the Connecticut bar. In May, 1856, he settled as a lawyer in New York City, and continued his residence there until the fall of 1859, when he was absent for some months in the West on business. In the spring of 1861, Larrowe moved to Nevada, and was there engaged in the practice of his profession.
"In the spring of 1863 he was appointed District Attorney of the Territory, residing at Carson City. In August, 1863, he was elected a member of the constitutional convention, and under the constitution then made, Judge of the Supreme Court.
"He never held the position, however, as the Court failed to receive the ratification of the people.
"In the fall of 1864, Nevada having been admitted into the Union, he was elected a member of the State Senate for four years.
"His residence was at Austin, Reese River. In the fall of 1865 he came to New York on a visit, and has now, November, 1866, made up his mind to remain, and has sent for his family. He married Miss Mina Churchman, daughter of James Churchman, Esq., of Austin, Nevada, August 16, 1864."
Appendix to Personal Statistics of the Class of 1854 of Yale College. Prepared by the Secretary, and printed by order of this class.
New Haven: Tuttle, Moorehouse and Taylor, Printers. 1875.
"Marcus Dwight Larrowe. He is a lawyer, making mining claims a specialty. He is sometimes in New York, sometimes in Nevada."
From Trow's New York City Directory:
1857-58 Larrowe M. D., Lawyer, 15 Centre, h St. Felix, Brooklyn.
1858-59 Larrowe Marcus D., Lawyer, N. Y. Times Bldg., 41 Park Row.
1859-60 Larrowe Marcus D., Lawyer, 40 Park Row, h 16 Abingdon pl.
1867-68 Larroue Marcus D., Lawyer, 57 Exchange pl. h St. Nicholas h.
These published records and the fact that "Professor Loisette" himself has never been able to produce a testimonial previous to 1882, are interesting, by the side of his repeated public statements that he had taught his Memory System for thirty years in England.
Let "Loisette" be judged by his own testimony. An interesting comparison may be made between the claims of his prospectus and his statements under oath in the case "Loisette vs. Fellows" before the N. Y. Supreme Court, July 26, 1888.
| "Loisette's" Prospectus. | "Loisette's" Affidavits. |
| "The first and only system that really rests on nature." p. 4.
"It is a unique and original device, or method of fixing in mind the things to be remembered." p. 7. "It is wholly unlike mnemonics in conception, process, development and results.". Ap., p. 1. "Uses none of the Localities, ' 'Keys, 'Pegs,' 'Links,' or 'Associations' of mnemonics." Cover. "I discovered the Laws of the natural memory, finding out for myself, by my own original investigations, how the natural memory does operate. I am not aware that these laws had been made known before their discovery by me, nor have I heard of anyone making claim to their discovery since." p. 20. "Forward the preliminary fee of $25.57, which I must receive before I can give you the exposition of these New and Original Principles and explain how they differ Fundamentally in character and result from all other systems." p. 14. |
"Many years ago [1882] [deponent] originated and subsequently composed systematic body of methods for training and developing the memory and attention. Said system was, as an entirety, in its conception and practical working, fundamentally new." . . . . . . . [Deponent] did not borrow or copy said system of memory from the author known as Dr. Pick, or any other author. [But how about the principles underlying the system! Pick says of his own book: Here we have only been able to give the principles. . . . The practical application of which they are capable, we explain in oral lectures.] As such system was worked out and elaborated, as aforesaid, the same is new and original." Dated New York, July 3rd, 1888. A.Loisette. |
| "Many years ago when doing a feat of memory by means of 'mnemonics' or 'artificial memory,' I was on the point of failure. . . . Oft-times the so-called 'association' does not recall the object, word, or phrase it was framed to recall, as happened to me then, a practiced mnemоnist." pp. 3 and 4.
"In short, my Discovery and the Scientific Development which Study and years of Teaching have enabled me to impart to it, afford a Unique Culture of the Natural Memory, adding to its original capacity an Endowment, that can only be compared to the New Scope and Efficiency bestowed on the ordinary eyesight by the most powerful microscope and telescope." р. 14. |
"[Deponent] discovered the fundamental principles of his system of memory training, mentioned in the Complaint, as early as about [sic] the year 1849 [then 17 years of age. In September, 1849, entered Yale College as a Freshman] and then clearly saw the universal applicability of it, ["precocious youth."] As early as about [sic] 1854 he commenced the composition of the system, and at intervals thereafter continued his work thereupon, and in or about the first of 1870 had completed its composition in respect to all subjects whatsoever, and in 1878 commenced to teach it in its application to learning foreign languages. About the year 1881 [How does this tally with "Loisette's" public statements that he had taught the system for thirty years in England!] he commenced the business of teaching it in its application to all subjects, as a business, profession and means of livelihood, and has been engaged in the business of teaching said system as his regular and sole occupation ever since that time." Dated July 19, 1888. A. Loisette. |
| "Never Forgetting" has been my copyright title for the past fifteen years." Ap., p. 1.
N. B. Since the memorable case of "Loisette vs. Fellows," this paragraph has been suppressed, His lesson papers bear the words "Copyright 1886 by Alphonse Loisette," and "Entered at Stationer's Hall." While at the latter place appears this record of copyright granted December 31st, 1883: "Loisettian School of Instantaneous Memory, 2nd Edition, published, December 29th, 1883." |
[Deponent] has never published his said system or any part of it. [Deponent] has never copyrighted his said system in Great Britain or in the United States. Dated July 19, 1888. A, Loisette. |
Significant extracts from the affidavits presented by the plaintiff "Loisette."
"It presents no material analogies to that of Dr. Pick."—Dr. William A. Hammond, July 11, 1888.
. . . "Said System is fully and fairly entitled to be called novel and original."—Daniel Greenleaf Thompson, New York, July 11, 1888.
But on the day before the hearing he makes haste to modify his previous statement thus:
. . . "Fairly and fully entitled to be called, as an entirety, a novel and original system."—Daniel Greenleaf Thompson, July 24, 1888.
. . . "Undoubtedly the plaintiff here and there makes use of particular devices and methods which are analogous to those employed by others."—Daniel Greenleaf Thompson, New York, July 11, 1888.
"The plaintiff's system of memory teaching, in its entirety, is fundamentally different from that of any other system of memory training that deponent has ever studied or heard of."—J. A. Fenton, New York, July 11, 1888.
. . . "The plaintiff's system of memory teaching, in its entirety, is fundamentally different from that of Dr. Pick, or any system of memory training that deponent has ever studied or ever heard of." —M. L. Holbrook, New York, July 3, 1888.
. . . "The plaintiff differs from Dr. Pick in this—that plaintiff combines the figure alphabet with his correlations and applies it to remembering names, dates, etc. . . . while Pick simply uses it to compare one word with another."—M. L. Holbrook, New York, July 19, 1888.
Extracts from affidavits presented by the defendant Fellows:
. . . "There is no doubt that the principles of the systems of the said Dr. Pick and the plaintiff are essentially the same. That the said Loisette is not the original discoverer of the principles set forth in the book referred to in the complaint is evident when we know that from the time of Aristotle they have been variously stated and applied."—W. W. White, July 13, 1888. Teacher of Natural Method of Memorizing and Memory Training, New Haven, Ct.
. . . "This affiant has since discovered that said system was neither new nor original, but that its principles and many of its illustrations are given substantially or literally in Chambers' Encyclopædia, or works on memory by Edward Pick, Fauvel, Gouraud and others, while this affiant had himself many years previously employed the system of 'interrogative analysis taught by Prof. Loisette, in learning the contents of books, and had himself taught the same method to others."—Thos. II. McKee, Assistant Librarian, U. S. Senate. Washington, D. C., July 9, 1888.
. . . "Loisette's alleged system is simply and only the application of Dr. Pick's system to various subjects. Of this anyone of ordinary intelligence ought to be able to convince himself."—De Witt C. Taylor, New York, July 14, 1888, Banker and Broker, 18 Wall Street.
. . . "Upon receiving these lessons [deponent] found them in some ways like, and in some points identical with, those taught by Prof. Boyd, a teacher of mnemonics, from whom he had received instruction years before, notably the Figure Alphabet, for the conversion of figures into words, and to be applied to fixing events, dates, etc., in the memory; that much of what remains of Loisette's system, so-called, independent and apart from Prof. Boyd's instruction, is substantially in Chambers' Encyclopædia under the head of Memory; that this affiant had anticipated, at least in part, Loisette's so-called Interrogative Analysis,' and called the attention of others to the possibility of memorizing by such a system."—F. I. Willis, Paymaster-General's Office, U. S. A., Washington, D. C., July 9th, 1888.
. . . "About the year 1859 this affiant was instructed in what Prof. Loisette claims as his original system of Interrogative Analysis,' by Prof. J. C. Parks, at Belleville, Illinois; the said system being used by Prof. Parks in teaching grammar and mathematics; that Prof. Loisette, in his lectures and books has presented to affiant no new principle or idea on Interrogative Analysis, having been completely anticipated, SO far as this affiant is concerned, by said Prof. Parks."—Charles W. Johnson, Chief Clerk of the Senate, Washington, D. C., July 11th, 1888.
. . . '[Deponent] has paid a great deal of attention to the subject of memory culture, and in this connection has examined the so-called Prof. Alphonse Loisette's 'Loisettian School of Physiological Memory; or Instantaneous Art of Never Forgetting.' In this work he has found no idea except such as had become familiar to him many years previously, both through his own practice and by perusal of works bearing upon the subject of memory; that in the year 1843 he was instructed in Centreville, Indiana, by a professor of mnemonics in the leading features of what Prof. Loisette's System claims as his; that by him he was made familiar with the art of remembering one idea or word by its being suggested by another idea or word; that this suggestiveness depended on similarity or dissimilarity in sound or meaning, or upon the principle of antithesis, and that the teaching of such professor in 1843 embraced what Prof. Loisette now calls Inclusion, Exclusion, and Concurrence; that this affiant, in reply to correspondence, has within the past three years examined a large number of books upon the subject of memory at the Library of Congress, making himself familiar with the history of the subject and the various theories of memory, and after such examination says that the Art of Never Forgetting of Prof. Loisette is destitute of originality in principle or idea."—W. L. Woods, Washington, D. C., July 10, 1888.
The author of "Loisette Exposed" staked more than $2,000.00 for the purpose of showing "Loisette" and his Memory System in their their true light to the world. The author assumed all the risks and gave his own time and labor as a free gift to the cause, pledging from the inception of the enterprise every dollar of profit to a public reading-room in the city of Washington. This movement received the moral and enthusiastic support of many of the leading citizens of Washington, and the finance committee appointed to audit accounts were General Rosecrans, Register of the U. S. Treasury; C. W. Johnson, Chief Clerk of the Senate; and E. Frank Riggs, of Riggs & Co., Bankers.
On the first appearance of "Loisette Exposed," Larrowe, better known as "Loisette," through his attorney, Nelson Smith, as a "feeler," offered $6,000 for the withdrawal of the book from the market; but this offer was met by a prompt refusal and the declaration that as a legitimate enterprise and not a blackmailing scheme, the book was in the market to stay.
Then threats were freely indulged in, but to no effect. Finally came the injunction from the New York Supreme Court, restraining the author from the further publication or sale of the book on the ground that the plaintiff's "manuscript" had been appropriated.
The Injunction.
"Supreme Court of the State of New York.
"Alphonse Loisette agst. George S. Fellows.
"It appearing from the complaint in this action, duly verified, and from the affidavits of the plaintiff and of Dr. M. L. Holbrook, dated respectively July 3, 1888, that the plaintiff demands and is entitled to a judgment against the defendant restraining him from printing, publishing, selling, giving away or delivering a printed or other copy of any part of the plaintiff's system of teaching memory mentioned in the complaint, to any person or persons whomsoever, and from advertising the same for sale, and that the commission of such act during the pendency of this action would produce injury to the plaintiff; and the plaintiff having given the undertaking required by law, it is hereby
"Ordered, That the said defendant, George S. Fellows, and his agents, attorneys, servants, and all others acting in aid or assistance of him, and each and every of them, be and they are hereby restrained, prohibited, and enjoined, under the penalties by law prescribed, from printing, publishing, selling, or giving away or delivering a printed or other copy of any part of the plaintiff's system of teaching memory mentioned in the complaint, and from printing, publishing, selling or giving away, or advertising for sale the book mentioned in the complaint, published by the defendant, entitled Loisette Exposed, and from removing any of said books from the premises 25 Bond Street, in the City of New York.
"This injunction is granted on the ground that the plaintiff has a right of property, as the author of his system mentioned in the complaint for teaching memory, and that the defendant has got possession of the plaintiff's manuscript, as one of his pupils, under a contract not to disclose any part of the same, and that in violation of the plaintiff's rights the defendant is publishing, and threatens to continue to publish and disclose his said system, to the great injury of the plaintiff, notwithstanding he had obtained possession of a copy under an agreement that he would not communicate the same or any part thereof.
"And it is further ordered, That the defendant show cause before this Court, at a Special Term to be held at Chambers, in the County Court-house, in the City of New York, on the 12th day of July, 1888, at the opening of the Court or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard, why this injunction should not be continued during the pendency of this action, and until the trial and determination thereof. "Dated New York, July 3, 1888. M. J. O'Brien, J. S. C."
Never for one moment did the author falter in his determination to fight it out to the bitter end. But his attorneys advised that an interminable and expensive legal contest would be the only outcome. Therefore a compromise was assented to which returned all the money invested and enabled the author to more effectually accomplish his original purpose. And the end is not yet!
The compromise was a purely business transaction. "Loisette" paid over the money and he received in return the books and plates, and no doubt they were worth to him all he paid for them.
No one appeared to show cause why the injunction should not be made permanent, and thus "literary piracy" was "condemned."
The author signed no agreement nor did he authorize his attorneys to do so. He gave neither promise nor assurance, and hence can be guilty of no breach of faith nor lack of honor. Throughout he has been actuated solely by one purpose.
The terms of a compromise out of court are usually regarded as confidential, but as "Loisette" chose to advertise "literary piracy," "condemned," etc., the author of "Loisette Exposed" felt quite justified in publishing a card stating just how the "literary piracy" came to be "condemned," and propounding the query: "If 'Loisette' had so strong a case, why did he not save his money and await the issue of the hearing?" Evidently, he was not over-anxious to be heard.
Though the defendant signed no agreement, the plaintiff did, and here it is. The terms are significant and speak for themselves. At the time this agreement was made and the money paid over, it was expressly stated by defendant's attorneys that they could not be answerable for defendant's future action as he declined to bind himself by any agreement whatsoever.
Memorandum Agreement, made between Alphonse Loisette, of the part, and George S. Fellows, of the second part.
"In consideration of one dollar, the said party of the first agrees that he will not bring any action other than the one already pending in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, against party of the second part, for publishing his system of memory training, nor bring any action against the party of the second part libel, in consequence of anything contained in the book published by the party of the second part embracing said system, and will waive all damages claimed in said action now pending, without prejudice however, to the right of the party of the first part to prosecute action to final judgment for an injunction therein.
"But it is expressly understood, however, that said party of the second part shall not hereafter in any way interfere with the said party of the first part in respect to his business of memory teaching, either by publishing or attempting the publication of his system, or thing derogatory thereto, or by communicating any part thereof, or by himself doing any act to the annoyance of said party of the part, or by instigating any other person to do any act injurious to party of the first part, or his business of teaching memory; and he will abide by and obey the injunction in the said action.
"This instrument is made on this express condition: that it shall be void in case the said party of the second part shall do any act or thing which, according to the terms hereof he is not to do, or shall fail to keep and obey the injunction in said action. Dated July 25, 1888.
Alphonse Loisette,
by Nelson Smith, Atty"
"I hereby authorize Nelson Smith, Esq., as my attorney, to execute an agreement on my part between me and George S. Fellows, in such form as he in his discretion may think fit; that I will not prosecute my action against said Fellows for divulging my System of Memory, by publishing the same, or for libel in connection therewith. Such agreement must contain a proviso that it shall be void if said Fellows violates any provision of it.
"July 22, 1888.
A. Loisette."
Supreme Court.
Alphonse Loisette vs. George S. Fellows.
The plaintiff hereby stipulates that he will not claim costs in this action under the offer of judgment, and will not enter any judgment for costs, unless he is required to, and in that case he will immediately execute and deliver a satisfaction-piece of all such costs to the defendant's attorney.
Dated New York, July 25, 1888.
Nelson Smith, Pltff's Att'y.
property to respond to a judgment to-day, he might have some that would have to satisfy it hereafter) thought he could communicate an "idea" of my System, in violation of his contract with me, and, as he supposed, without any risk to himself!! But I think he will "never forget" to keep similar engagements hereafter; for he found, to his bitter sorrow, that there was more in his contract with me than he dreamed of. Both briber and bribed got their deserts, as they always do in such cases. My treacherous pupil found that in taking money for what he had no right to sell, he was, in this respect, guilty of getting money under a double false pretence.—Loisette. Pt. I., p. 17.
👉🏻 Another acute youth, intending to practise a fraud on me, signed my contract, not with his own name, but with a false name, and thus rendered himself liable to a prosecution for forging another man's name, with a view to injure me, without, as he hoped, risk to himself. He will never forget the penalty that always awaits on rascality.—Loisette. Pt. L, p. 17.
👉🏻 A third pupil now awaits with perfect equanimity his "deserts."—Loisette Exposed. p. 9.
Later.
BALANCE SHEET.
June 25th to July 25th.
| Dr. | Cr. | ||
| To printing, advertising, etc. | $1,851.04 | By cash from Loisette for 8500 "Loisette Exposed" and plates of the same
|
$4,000.00 |
| To office expense and incidentals. | 396.83 | ||
| To legal expense | 1,232.75 | ||
| Balance for reading-room, known as "Loisette Exposed Fund" | 519.38 | ||
| $4,000.00 | $4,000.00 | ||
NEXT!
The author of "Loisette Exposed" is free to acknowledge his defeat in the great legal contest, "Loisette vs. Fellows," and he takes this opportunity to give public notice that he is open to engagement to accept defeat on the same terms three times a day for the rest of his natural life.
The settlement of the case is very like the story of the man who threatened to whip another man, and then judiciously paid him something to keep out of his way.
Hundreds of letters have poured in from every quarter of the continent, from Canada to Mexico, largely from "Loisette" students, who did not fail to express their opinions of "Loisette," more than corroborating the revelations of "Loisette Exposed." These letters and the affidavits behind them are now ready for business.
A CASE OF MEMORY.
Dr. M. L. Holbrook's Affidavits on behalf of Plaintiff.
Deponent is the author and publisher of a book entitled "How to Strengthen the Memory." He has a scientific knowledge upon the subject of teaching memory. He studied the system of memory under the plaintiff in this action as one of his pupils, and acquired a thorough knowledge of the plaintiff's system. He has studied several other systems of memory, and made the subject of memory training a study for some years, and has a practical knowledge of the subject. Deponent has studied the system of memory known as Dr. Pick's system, and understands it. . . . Deponent has been present at the said premises of the defendant, No. 25 Bond Street, and there saw a large number of books which the defendant had in his possession entitled "Loisette Exposed." That deponent has examined some of the copies of such books, and found the plaintiff's system embraced in full therein. That the defendant, upon different occasions within the past week, speaking of his sales of the said book so published by him, has stated to this deponent that he was making sales right along of the book; that he had sent fifteen hundred copies to Washington, and that they were being sold very fast, or words to that effect; that he had sold several books to Baker & Pratt.—M. L. Holbrook, New York, July 3, 1888.
Being familiar with the systems of memory training of the plaintiff and of Dr. Pick, respectively, he is enabled to state that they are substantially different, one from the other. That the plaintiff differs from Dr. Pick in this: that plaintiff combines his figure alphabet with his correlations, and applies it to remembering names, dates, height of mountains, the length of rivers, the date of a man's birth and death, or any event that happened at any time in the history of the world, who was connected with it, etc.
In other words, plaintiff applies it to all conditions, while Pick simply uses it to compare one word with another. That Professor Loisette's system is much more extensive than that of Dr. Pick in its elaborations and in its methods and applications,—N. L. Holbrook, New York, July 19, 1888.
M. L. Holbrook's Letters to Defendant.
May 5, 1888.—" I studied Loisette's system from his London lessons years ago, and when he came to New York I called and he explained to me how Pick got his method, but it was a 'whopper' he told. He always praised my books to my face, but behind my back told people I had no right to publish the extract from Pick I did, and pretended he would prosecute me. I only hoped he would."
May 9,—I inclose one of Pick's letters, I think you can use the facts all you like, or you certainly can anything in the books [Middleton's and Appleby's "Loisette's Art of Never Forgetting Compared with Mnemonics"] I sent you. You can, no doubt, write to Pick himself and get a return letter, and perhaps a copy of his book before your meeting comes off. He is evidently an oldish man now, but he still teaches, and writes me he should visit America and lecture here.
"Loisette is an American, probably from New Orleans, and of French descent. He has coined a lot of money, no doubt. The only way I could get Pick's book would be to take it from the Mercantile Library here and mail it to you, taking the risk of its loss."
May 16.—"I mailed you yesterday Pick on Memory. It was the first hint I got of Loisette's source of ideas. I hope you are safe in publishing. Go sure. I have Prof. Loisette's Whist Memory in French and English, but it is worthless. I learn that it is a copy from an old Spanish book of 1880."
May 19.—"I think Loisette has elaborated some on Pick, but no doubt got all his first points from him."
May 23.—"I learn that very few of Loisette's pupils ever do anything with his lessons, but some master the ideas and use it."
May 19."—I suppose my publication of the extract from Pick in my work has made him more trouble than little. He has spoken of it often, and insisted to me that he should soon publish a defence of himself, and show that he long antedated Pick. He even explained to me how Pick got hold of his ideas. When I told him Pick had been in the field since 1856 he rather cooled off. If you can have a little notice of my book in your exposé it may do no harm, though I leave that to you."
The effect of "How to Strengthen the Memory" upon its author has been such that it ought to be in great demand. Price, $1.00. Sent, post-paid, by the publishers of Memory Systems, New and Old.
ADDENDA.
A recent advertisement announces a new book on Memory and a new System. The author, William L. Evans, has been "Loisette's" right-hand man at 237 Fifth Avenue ever since the latter began his career in this country, and, judging from his first advertisement, one would say that the well-known modesty of his master and teacher had not been lost upon him. Though a young man of but "thirty summers," and only four years out of college, Mr. Evans modestly says of himself and his own work:
"Here is a book written by a scholar and a practical teacher. It is just what men have been seeking for centuries. We admire Mr. Evans' efforts to raise the tone of the subject and to present it in a manner which cannot fail to secure confidence. His methods are based upon sound psychological principles clearly explained.
"Mr. Evans is a man of thirty summers, agreeable in manner, and a fluent speaker. At an early age he won a Queen's scholarship at Borough Road Normal College, London, and distinguished himself as a teacher. In his subsequent four years' course at the University of Glasgow he proved himself a thinker of no mean calibre, being a prize man in mental philosophy and taking his degree in three departments in 1884."
Whether this is the Loisette System in disguise or a new and independent method of greater or less merit remains to be seen. Perhaps it should not excite surprise that the disciple should ape the master in view of the phenomenal success of the latter.