When weak in trumps yourself, don't force your friend;
But always force the adverse strong trump hand.
For sequences, stern custom has decreed,
The lowest you must play if you don't lead.
When you discard, weak suits you ought to choose,
For strong ones are too valuable to lose.
Repeating Numbers
Divide a sheet of paper into 12 equal spaces, and number each space 1 to 12. Then ask one person to write 24 numbers as they are called out by any of the audience, two in each space, watching him do so. Let us suppose the numbers written are as follows:—
| 32 | 13 | 29 | 31 | 45 | 18 |
| 37 | 43 | 11 | 24 | 31 | 11 |
Immediately the spaces are filled up read them once, turn your back to the board and face the audience, and repeat them backwards and forwards, giving also any pair of numbers in any space that may be asked for. This is generally very astonishing, but it is ridiculously simple. As the numbers are filled in convert each pair into its equivalent keyword; link the first three pairs and mentally picture them on one side of a room most familiar to you, the next three pairs on the second side, and so on, three pairs to each side. Or the figures can be readily translated into easily remembered sentences, as "mend my nib," "meat really tough," "make room dad," "dear meat dad." Reading them once over will deepen the impression, and you can then repeat them without difficulty. With a little practice double or treble the number of figures can be repeated.
Repeating Thousands of Figures.
Although this partakes more of the character of a trick, it is a feat that always evokes wonder, and is an instance of the easy manner in which one may acquire the reputation of possessing a remarkable memory. Assuming that there are twenty persons in the room, the mnemonist takes
