(2) “Noah a (34) Mere (8) Waif,” (2) “Noah (3) May (48) Rove,” or (2) “Noah (3) May (48) Arrive,” are analytic sentences where all the sounded consonants are used. But a greater variety of sentences might be found, or one sentence be more readily found in the first instance if only the initial consonants are used: as, (2) Noah’s (3) Menagerie (4) Ark (8) Full, or (2) Noah (3) Made (4) Ararat‌ (8) Famous, or (2) Noah’s (3) Marvellous (4) Rainy (8) Flood, or (2) Noah’s (3) Mighty (4) Ark (8) Floated, or (2) Noah (3) Mounted (4) Ararat (8) Firmly. Other specific analytic phrases for this event may easily be found by the student.

The superiority of analytic phrases where all the sounded consonants are used, over the analytic sentences, where only the initial consonants are employed, may be seen in the case of the number of men who enlisted in behalf of the Federal Government in the late war. The number was two millions, three hundred and twenty thousand, eight hundred and fifty-four. By initial consonants we have, (2) Any (3) Man (2) now (0) is (8) a full (5) loyal (4) Hero. By all the sounded consonants we have—“Inhuman Civil War;” the latter shorter, more significant, and more easily remembered. And, on the principle that a condensed, brief statement, if clear and definite, makes a more vivid impression than a longer one, we shall find that a short analytic phrase is better for the memory than an analytic sentence, and an analytic single word than a phrase. But a short analytic phrase, or a short analytic sentence, is usually necessary, owing to our ignorance of the subject matter, the limitations which belong to all figure alphabets, and our neglect to act strictly on the lines of In., Ex., and Con.

  1. Is the analytic word or phrase self-connected to the event?
  2. Why will sentences sometimes be useful?
  3. What must be avoided?
  4. Can a greater variety of sentences be found if only the initial consonants are used?
  5. What does the phrase “Inhuman Civil War” represent?
  6. What does it show the superiority of?
  7. What are the characteristics which recommend it?
  8. Is a short analytic phrase better for the memory than an analytic sentence?
  9. On what principle?

(4) Cases where there is no direct relation between the person, fact, or event, and the date, or number word or words. In such cases, Synthesis, which is taught hereafter, develops an indirect relation. Synthesis is used in three cases: (1) Where there is no relation existing between the fact or event and its date word; (2) Where we are ignorant of all the facts which would give us significant or analytic date-words; and (3) where we know the needful pertinent facts with which analytic words could be formed, but we cannot‌ recall them for use. In these three cases Synthesis must be used. I will now give and illustrate the rules for the prompt finding of analytic date or number words.

The preparation for thus remembering numbers without effort is the only exertion required. When the method is mastered, the application of it is made with the greatest ease and pleasure.

There are four indispensable requisites to finding analytic date and number words promptly.

(1) Such a Mastery of the figure alphabet that the consonant equivalents of the cipher and nine digits are at instant command, and never have to be looked up when you have to deal with figures.

Pumps were invented in 1425. A student who thinks 2 is to be translated by “m” instead of “n,” translates the dates by these phrases, viz., “Drum a whale,” or “Trim oil,” or “To ram a wall.” As these phrases sustain the relation neither of In., Ex., or Con. to the fact, they are hard to be remembered; and if remembered, they mislead. The student who has mastered the Fig. Alphabet remembers that “n” stands for 2, and if he knows the object of pumps, he at once finds the analytic phrase, “Drain a well.” The formula would be: “The pump invented—Drain a well (1425),” or (1) Water (4) raised (2) in a (5) hollow. How could he forget the date?

Tea was first used in Europe in 1601. The unobserving student imagines that 6 is translated by ghard, k, chard, q, or ng, and so he translates 1601 into “Outcast,” (1701); a mistake of 100 years, and, besides, “Outcast” is wholly unconnected with the introduction of tea into Europe. The genuine student knows that 6 is represented by sh, j, ch, or gsoft, and so he at once finds the analytic formula: “Tea first introduced into Europe—Tea chest (1601).” The figure phrase bears the relation of In. and Con. to the event, and cannot be forgotten. Besides many people‌ believe that tea helps digestion, and such persons would find an analytic date-word thus: “Tea first used in Europe—Digest (1601).”

  1. What is sometimes necessary?
  2. In how many cases is Synthesis used?
  3. What are they?
  4. How many indispensable requisites are there to finding analytic date and number words promptly?
  5. Is draining a well the sole object of a pump?
  6. Was such its purpose originally?
  7. Explain the two phrases used to fix the date of the introduction of tea into Europe.
  8. Can a figure phrase that bears the relation of In., Ex., or Con. to the event be forgotten?