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in a great deal which was not in the original, but which comes
from landscape pictures which you have seen somewhere else.
While we generally speak of Representation picturing the
recollected percepts, still, we must not make the mistake of
supposing that it is concerned with, or limited to, only mental
pictures. We are able to represent not only visual percepts but
also sounds, smells, tastes or feelings, often so vividly that they
appear as almost actually existent. We may also even represent,
symbolically the processes of reasoning, mathematical
operations, etc. In short nearly, if not all experiences which are
possible in Presentation are also possible in Representation.
The phase of Representation, in the processes of Memory, is of
course subject to the general laws of the Cultivation of Memory
which we have stated in detail in our previous volume on that
subject. But there are some special points of development and
cultivation which may be considered briefly in this place. In the
first place the importance of Attention and clear Perception,
as necessary precedents for clear Representation, may be
emphasized. In order to form clear mental images of a thing
we must have perceived it clearly in the first place. The advice
regarding the use of the Attention and Perception given in
preceding chapters need not be repeated here, but special
attention should be directed toward them in connection
with the processes of Representation. If we wish to cultivate
the Representative faculties, we must begin by cultivating the
Presentative faculties.
Then again we must remember what we have said elsewhere
about the facts of development through (1) Use; and (2)
Nourishment, in all mental faculties. We must begin to use the
faculties of Representation in order to exercise them. We must
give them nourishment in the shape of objects of mental food.
That is to say we must furnish these faculties with materials with
which they may grow and develop, and with exercise in order to
strengthen the mental-muscle and also to give the faculties the
opportunity to acquire the knack. The exercises and methods
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recommended in our chapter on Perception will furnish good
material for the Representative faculties growing requirements.
By perceiving the details of things, one is able to reproduce clear
mental images of them. In studying an object, always carry in
your mind the fact that you wish to reproduce it in your mind
later. In fact, if you have the opportunity, let your mind repeat
it to itself as soon as possible after the actual occurrence and
experience. Just as you often murmur to yourself, or else write
down, the name of a person or place which you have just heard,
in order that you may recollect it the better thereafter, so it will
be well for you to mentally repeat to yourself the experiences
upon which you wish to exercise your Representative faculties.
As to the matter of development and cultivation by Use,
we would advise that you begin gradually to train your mind
to reproduce the experiences of the day or week or month, at
intervals, until you feel that you are developing a new power
in that direction. Tonight, if you try you will find that you can
reproduce but a very small part of today s happenings with
any degree of clearness. How clearly can you image the places
you have been, the appearances of the people you have met,
the various details of persons and things which you perceived

during the experiences, of the day? Not very clearly, we dare

say. Try again, and you will find that you will be able to add new
details. Keep it up until you feel tired or think that you have
exhausted all the possibilities of the task. Tomorrow, try it again,
and you will find that the second day s experiences are more
clearly reproduced in your mind. Each day should find you a
little more advanced, until you get to a place where the normal
degree of power is attained, when the advance will be slower.
Then, at the end of the week, review its experiences. Do the
same the following week. At the end of the month, take a hasty
mental trip over the month s experiences. And so on. Exercise,
in moderation, along these lines will work wonders for you.
Not only will it develop the Representation, but your powers
of observation and your general memory will be found to be
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improved. And, moreover, in chewing the mental cud you will
think of many things of interest and importance in connection
with your work, etc., and your general mental efficiency will be
increased for the faculties of the mind are interdependent and
share benefits with each other.
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