610 Mr. Charles Mercier [May 3, 



than the light of the candle exists except when it is burning. What 

 endures, when a conscious state is revivable but is not actually revived, 

 is not a conscious state at all, but a structural modification of tissue. 

 When this modified tissue becomes active, then the conscious state 

 recurs, just as, when the bell is struck, it sounds again. 



Entirely distinct from the four forms of memories that we have 

 considered is the Process of Kemernberinf?. Active memory is a pro- 

 cess, it is true, but a process different from the one that we are about 

 to consider. Active memory is the activity of a mechanism ; the pro- 

 cess of remembering is tbe starting of the mechanism into activity. 

 The one is the motion of the latbe, or the loom, or the printing press, 

 when it is connected with the engine ; the other is the process of 

 making the connection between the engine and the machine, so that 

 the structure may be put in motion. The memory is the appearance 

 that arises in the mind, the process of remembering is the process of 

 bringing this appearance into the mind. In short, what has to be 

 explained is, how do we remember things when we want to ? Sup- 

 posing that we have a structural memory which is capable of becoming 

 active, how can it be started into activity ? There are two totally 

 distinct ways in which this is done. 



The common and ordinary way, which is often considered the 

 only way, is by what is termed association, which is usually started 

 somewhat in this manner. When two mental states have once been 

 associated together in the mind, then the presence of one of them 

 tends to drag the other in after it. It is by the operation of this law 

 that when we see a friend we remember his name ; and that when we 

 hear the name of an object we remember its appearance. It is by 

 the operation of this law that when we see a flash we expect a report ; 

 that a thunder-cloud reminds us of rain ; that all things remind us, 

 not only of things they resemble, but very often of their opposites — 

 that black reminds us of white ; silence reminds us of noise ; heat of 

 cold ; and so forth. Many theories have been invented to account for 

 the undoubted fact that remembrance takes place very frequently, and 

 indeed usually, by association, theories with which I will not weary 

 you. But I wish to place before you the intimate and necessary part 

 which is played by Attention in the revival of memories. With 

 reference to the engagement of attention upon them, memories may 

 be divided into three classes. There are, first of all, those memories 

 which, so to speak, jump up and slap us in the face. If I toss this 

 glass tumbler into the air, you remember instantly and irresistibly 

 that when it falls to the ground there will be a crash, and the glass 

 will be broken. When you hear the word " cat," you have instantly 

 the image of that luxurious and self-indulgent quadruped brought 

 before your mental vision. You cannot help seeing momentarily the 

 mental picture. It breaks in upon you ; it captures you ; it forces 

 your attention will you nill you. " Cat ! " There it is. You see it. 

 You must see it. It will not be denied. Now bring before your 

 minds the four forms of memory that I have been dealing with 



