e to consult the dictionary
for the precise meaning of "Crystalline" [clear, unalloyed], "Runic"
[old-fashioned, mystical], "Tintinnabulation" [bell-ringing], "Monody"
[a monotonous sound], "Ghouls" [imaginary evil beings supposed to prey
upon human bodies], and "Paean" [a song of triumph]. The pupil should
understand that except in the rare cases where mere sound helps us, we
learn wholly through the _meaning_ of the words and their _relations_
between the meanings, and therefore if he fails to know the import of
any word or words in a selection, he cannot receive the full benefit of
the methods taught in this System.

3. The reader finds that there are four stanzas in this poem, each
dealing with a different kind of bell, _viz._: Silver, Golden, Brazen
and Iron bells.

4. It is always best to fix in memory the order of paragraphs or of
stanzas the moment the opportunity occurs for that purpose, and here,
before attempting to memorise the stanzas themselves, let the order of
them be fixed.

5. The order of the bells is first "silver," second "golden," third
"brazen," and fourth "iron." How establish this order in mind? Silver
and gold are the precious metals used for coins. They occur here in the
order of their value, "silver" being first and the cheaper, and "gold"
the second and the most valuable of all. Next we have "brazen," which
resembles "gold" in colour, and fourth and last we have "iron," the
cheapest of the four--silver, gold, brass and iron. If this analysis of
the order of the subject-matter of the stanzas is retained, the student
is ready to take account of other things which his first perusal of the
poem has taught him.

6. Before doing so, however, let us notice a method of the old
Mnemonics, which is still taught and which should never be resorted to.
It is their story-telling method. A story or narrative is invented for
the purpose of helping the student, as it is claimed, to memorise it. In
this poem we find there are four stanzas, each occupied with a different
kind of bell. To help remember that the order of the bells is silver,
gold, brass and iron, the old Mnemonics advises us to invent a
story--the following will answer: A couple of lovers once took a
sleigh-ride, the horses carrying _silver_ bells. After a time they
marry, when wedding or _golden_ bells are used. Later on their house is
on fire, when alarm or _brazen_ bells are brought into requisition, and
last of all, one of the couple di