The true way to learn such lists as those of the Popes of Rome, the
Kings of England and of the American Presidents is to learn them in
their places in History, as parts of the Historical order of events to
which they belong, as facts in the chain of causes and effects.
Their Terms, Administrations, or Reigns are, however, used by historians
as landmarks, and to follow the historians to the best advantage, it may
be desirable to know the series as such, as a useful preparation for the
study of the Times and age. But whatever the advantages of knowing the
order of the American Presidents, I deal with it here _solely_ for the
_training_ effect in Analysis and as an example of a method of dealing
with any list of _mere_ names.
The mode of dealing with this Presidential series will show how all
similar Series may be handled during the period of the pupil's training.
I divide the series or list of the twenty-four American Presidents into
three Groups: the first Group containing _seven_ names, the second
having _eight_ names, and the third having _nine_ names. The number of
names in each Group is easily remembered: 7, 8 and 9.