t from memory any verse or chapter
called for in the whole Scripture. The habit had marvelously developed
her intelligence as well as memory.

Now I confidently declare that if this lady had submitted what she
learned to the suggestive-will process she could have spared herself
half the labor. And it is to be observed that as in time the labor of
reviewing and the faculty of promptly recalling becomes easier and
easier till it is simply mechanical, so the memorizing by suggestion
becomes more _facile_ until it is, so to speak, only a form. And as it
becomes easier the foresight strengthens till it wields an _absolute_
power.

If the reader is interested in this subject of developing the memory,
I would refer him to my work on Practical Education in which it is
discussed with reference to recalling objects through all the Senses.

No one who has made even a very slight trial of the process of
impressing on the mind before sleep something which must be
remembered, can fail to be convinced ere long of the truth that there
is in it a marvelous power which will with easy and continued practice
enable him to recall whatever he pleases. It follows as a matter of
course, that this would be of incredible value in education, but
notwithstanding the vast discussion of this subject which is ever
going on, it does not seem to occur to a living man that we should
develop and train the mental faculties, such as memory and quickness
of perception, as well as set them to hard work.

It is also safe to say that there is not a man living who was educated
from boyhood upon this principle, and yet I am confident that no
scientist in existence, knowing the facts on which my statement is
based, will deny that it is as easy to develop the mental factors
alluded to, as to learn a language or play on the piano. It is not a
matter of theory but of facts. Millions of men have in the past
acquired the faculty of being able to repeat and remember whatever
they heard, if they earnestly attended to it. Earnest attention in
this case means a strong exercise of forethought, or determination to
an end or given purpose. In Iceland, that which has since become the
English common law, was at an early date very fully developed, without
any books or writing. And there were lawyers who had by heart all the
laws, and incredible numbers of precedents, as appears from several
sagas, among others, that of The Burnt Njall.

Our present system of Education is