orld in particular. A
self-connected phrase would, however, express this date as follows:
"Creation of the World: (4) Ea{r}th (0) {S}tarted (0) {S}wiftly (4)
{R}otating."

_First Exception._--From A.D. 1000 to A.D. 1700 the last three figures
of the date should be expressed in the date words. {M}a{r}{s} expresses
340 and could be used to indicate the invention of cannon in (1) 340 by
one who knew that Mars was the name of the god of war in classic
mythology. The formula would be: "Invention of cannon: (1) 340
{M}a{r}{s}." But this term would have no mnemonic significance to one who
knows the word Mars as meaning only one of the planets. Hence the
danger--ever to be avoided--of using classical allusions in teaching the
average student. A (3) {m}artial (4) O{r}gan (0) {S}ways, or {m}urderous
a{r}tillery {s}tarted.

_Second Exception._--From A.D. 1700 to the present moment, the last two
figures must be expressed in the date words. Many examples will
hereafter illustrate this exception. In very rare cases, the expression
of the last figure in the date word will suffice. We know that Ralph
Waldo Emerson and Oliver Wendell Holmes [author of the Autocrat of the
Breakfast Table] were born towards the beginning of this century, the
former in 1803 and the latter in 1809. The following formulas would give
the date of their birth: Ralph Waldo (180)3 E{m}erson; Oliver Wendell
Holmes (180)9 "{B}reakfast."

_Third Exception._--In cases where there is no practical utility in
comparing one very large number with another, as in the case of the
distances of the planets from the sun, mere round numbers may suffice,
yet astronomers must know such numbers with exactness. But in regard to
all mundane affairs, the pupil must throw off the character of scholar
and assume the license of children, if he attempts to express large
numbers, as of populations, &c., by "guessing," or, what is the same
thing, by only giving round numbers. The Brooklyn Suspension Bridge is
5989 feet long, and the Forth Bridge, which crosses the Firth of Forth
in Scotland, is 8296 feet long. Now, instead of saying that the former
is _about_ 5000 feet long, why not say 5989 feet long? [(5) {L}ong (9)
{B}ridge (8) O{f} (9) {B}rooklyn.] And instead of saying that the latter
is _about or somewhere in the neighbourhood_ of 8000 feet long, why not
be exact and say 8296 feet long? [(8) {F}orth's (2) {N}ew (9) {B}ridge
(6) {Sh}own. It was completed in 1890.]

No one who has