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CHAPTER VI.
MNEMONICAL FEATS.
OBJECTION has been taken to various mnemonical systems on the ground that their propounders had more in view the exhibition of apparently difficult feats of memory than the application of the art to matters of real value and importance. Regarding such feats, Lord Bacon said he esteemed them no more than he did rope-dancing or acrobatic performances, and characterized one as being the abuse of the bodily, and the other of the mental powers. But just as acrobatic performances often have the effect of encouraging the practice of healthy gymnastic exercise, so does the performance of mnemonical feats have the effect of directing the attention to the powers of the memory, and leading to a profitable study of it. The world must be amused and entertained; and just as kindergarten teachers play to teach, so the mnemonist may amuse to instruct.
In the examples which follow, the object has been to give sufficient illustrations to allow the mnemonical student to suitably entertain an evening party, for example, with feats both varied and interesting. It must be premised, however, that before attempting to exhibit his "marvellous memory before a critical audience he should first thoroughly know the principles of the system he has adopted. He should note, also, that the key, without which little can be done, is to replace the numbers 1 to 100, and he should know it so
