A Review Test
Use the pictures of men given in this chapter, and review; as you read each name stop a moment and see the face as clearly as possible in your mind's eye.
| Mr. King | Mr. Smith | Mr. Grant |
| Mr. Perrett | Mr. Holland | Mr. White |
| Mr. Woodhead | Mr. Gillette |
Good Observation Necessary
While it seems easy to retain a picture of the face, yet the value of the impression for quick and accurate recognition will depend upon the observation of it. The games and exercises given in the first book will have developed this faculty in the child, but you should call his attention to the value of it here and urge the importance of making a special effort with the faces of the people whom he meets.
After the person, to whom the child has been introduced, has gone, see how much of a description he can give you of him. Help him to be systematic in his observation. First, estimate his height, weight, and general build. Second, tell the color of his hair, eyes and complexion; size and shape of his nose, chin, etc. Third, how did the child like him? Encourage him to form a definite conclusion as to just what kind of a person the visitor is. This is important and will be helpful later, but will need careful guidance in the formative years. Helps which you can give in reading character should be imparted to the child. Tell him all that you can of how you judge and estimate people, encourage him to study this important subject as he grows older. There are very helpful and scientific books available on this subject.
The ability to recognize and remember people, without regard to their name, is based upon just this kind of an observation and study of them. Observation is the resulting mental image after the removal of the object from view. Your ability to observe people is measured by what you can definitely recall about them when they are gone. Recognition of them will be based upon the memory of just these points mentioned and in turn the memory, of course, can be no more distinct than the impressions made upon the brain while the person was before you. Observation then is the basis for the recognition of people, and to improve it is of utmost importance.
Systematic Observation of Faces
There are three principal steps or points to be noticed. First, the size and general build. This can be done while the person is approaching as well as at the introduction. Because of the similarity of faces the size and build of a person will often be the point that will insure accuracy in recognition. You see a person at a meeting who looks very much like Mr. A whom you met yesterday, but Mr. A was a tall, slender man, this man is of medium build, and so the difference in size helps greatly in determining the identity. When meeting a stranger get a general outline picture of him. It will be helpful to make a mental comparison between the stranger and yourself, as to size, etc.