but if the principles upon which a system is based agree with the natural laws of memory, there is no person who may not benefit from a study thereof. The result of a thorough course of exercises in mnemonics is a knowledge of the value of first impressions, which leads to the giving of greater attention; a knowledge of the powers of association, enabling ideas to be more readily recalled; and the gradual acquisition of a method in storing the mind. It also has the effect of curing mind wandering. This common defect is caused by a want of concentration and purpose. The will is weak and the mind wanders aimlessly from one idea to another without a why or a wherefore. A course of mnemonical exercises leads to the habit of arranging the ideas, condensing, analyzing, and classifying them; and this ensures a rivetting to and concentration of the powers of the mind on the subject under attention.
It is often urged that a system of mnemonics is useless for every-day life. This is to some extent true. The chief object of a good system is to direct how the natural powers may be used and developed, and those who thoroughly study such a system will find that this object is attained, whether or not the details of any particular system be applicable to matters of every-day life.
There are, however, few persons who have not, at some time or the other, used mnemonical aids. Who has not had to recite the rhyme "Thirty days hath September," &c., to find the number of days in a month? and every schoolboy will recollect—
Also the Latin prepositions:—
What is termed the "monthly letters" are represented by the initials of the very old lines:—
