it the
_extent_ of the repetitions. Instead of reading over the entire series
or a large part of it many times, the series is slowly read over once or
several times _by pairs_, only two words at a time, but the method of
_acquirement_ is precisely the same as in the former rote process. Let
us look at this last proceeding in detail. (1) It is usually applied
only where there is a _natural suggestiveness_ between each pair of
words. (2) But no previous study is prescribed in regard to what
_constitutes_ this suggestiveness, nor are the _varieties_ of it set
forth and required to be mastered. (3) But above all, no _study_ of the
_pairs of words themselves_ is insisted upon. On the contrary, all such
study is emphatically deprecated. The mind is not allowed to be
_directed_ to anything in _particular_ in reading over the pairs. It
must be _left_ without a _rudder_ or guide to float wherever it listeth.
It is not to be "interfered with" by our will. What is this but
intellectual dawdling? A method of Vacuity pure and simple--the exact
opposite of Mental Assimilation. (4) If in reading over many times an
entire series, only the ear and eye are mainly affected and the
_intellect is left to wander_, much more must it wander here. In running
over many words, the intellect might be arrested by chance. But here
the series consisting of two words only and all attempt to occupy or
engage the intellect being purposely avoided, and nothing being done to
enchain the attention to the consideration of the meaning or sounds of
the two words, or the _relation_ between them, the intellect wanders
away from want of occupation. If when we wish to retain in our memories
a paragraph of fine sentiment or lucid reasoning, we find our attention
wanders, so it must wander here where only a pair of words is before it,
and we are not only not furnished with any tests or guides or stimulus
or motive for examining the words or for _finding the relation_ between
them, but on the contrary we are forbidden to interfere with the
spontaneous action of the mind. The _intellect might be abolished_ so
far as its _participation_ in such an operation is concerned. What is
absorbed in such a case is absorbed intuitively and blindly. Hence we
see that what is accomplished by these two processes of _rote_ learning
is weak impressions upon the memory and a distinct cultivation of mind
wandering.

This method of _rote_ learning by pairs was invented and first taught