How's Your Memory?

Nothing has created more interest tunong the University people in sometime than Prof. Loisette's memory training. That gentleman is a great advertiser, h demands a pledge of secrecy of those wh take his instruction, and his claims for hi method are so great, that suspicions o quackery and fraud are aroussd ; but he comes so well recommended by distinguished men in all pa.-ts ihat it looks unreasonable to hold such suspicions. He has been very successful in Ann Arbor, starting off last Saturday evening with a class of nearly 300, includiag some of the leading professors in the University, and at $5 a ticket it means that he took in nearly $1,500. Oa Fridsy evening ot last week he gave a public lecture in University hall and Prof. Morris introduced him as the " distinguished specialist." Prof Loisette has a larga head which bulles out on all sides as though a prodigious memory had been cultivated to such an exient thatthere was hardly room ibr it and it was Rtruggling to escape. The subject of memory is an interesting one. A good memory adds to the pleasure of life beyond meas-ure. P sople ove to teil about the excellencies or de fects of their memories, making it almos a rival of the weather as a subject of con versation. Prof. Loisette's public lecíure is fascinating beyond description. He claims to have discovered bis method, and thus has the right to keep it secret. It is, he says merely a practical application of lawg o: memory, based upon the study of those who have made psychology wh:t it is. All the methods given by persons who have great memories in certain lines are not scientific. Cobbett learned the French language by writing the words, and he never forgot them ; but it will not do for others to rely upon that method. It is merely visual memory. Some have cultivated auditory memory. Thurlow Weed seldom forgot anything he heard: he had a phenomenal memory in that way, and he acquired it by rehearsing to his wife after retiricg at night everything he had done and heard durbg the day. Although that may be a commendable practice in itself, he would not recommend it as a system of memory training. His was an abnormal memory. Some can memorize by hearing the sound of their voice and thu9 they shout the worda which they wish to retain. What we want is scientific and sound development of the memory. He claims that no memory however poor is inferior to any ir scientifically trained. Prof. Loisette says that civilized man has lost the power of attention. Statistics show that students in ten hours of study really devote only one full hour to it. The power of application is not great. In a good memory two things are necessary : 1. A good iinpression ; and 2, power to revive. Somelack both; gome have weak impressions but great power of reviving impressions. It is hard for them to learn, but they keep what they get. Excitable people and novel readers have strong impressions but small reviving power. Some have both well developed, like Lord Macaulay, whose memory was perfect. It is fir.t necessary to secure the power of attention and thus get strong impressions. Prof. Loisette lectured to his class Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Ilis system is unquestionably of great value to those who will follow his instructions. The practioe and study neceRsary to gain the good effects of his systein can be done at intervals while walking tha streets, waiting for dinner, juet before retiring, or on rising in the morning. We would hke to tell our readers all about it, but so far have been unable to find one of his pupils who will give it away. Prof. Loisette was born n New Orleans. His f ai her was a Frenohman and hig mother an American. He has taught his system mosily in E:igland, and now has an office in London. About a year ago he carne to New York aud establiahed an office, where he has an immense correspondence, for his system can be studied by corresoondence. Probably after the holidays he will have a clasg in Johns Hopkms University, and Cornell is ready to welcome him. Pi of. Loisette gave his closing lecture lsst eveuing, whea there were at least 400 present. This means that he has taken in nearly $2,000 in Ann Arbor. Of course his expenses are large, for he had three bright young clerks or secretarles here, whose Memories probably will not permit them to work for small salaries.