Melbourne - A long 12 page letter: has been extremely busy at the University of Melbourne, recasting courses of study and instituting new ones, and arranging the Jubilee; describes a holiday on the Tasman glacier in New Zealand; [A. W.] Howitt is much exercised by [Andrew] Lang's publications and thinks him 'entirely unreliable and unscrupulous' in handling evidence; has looked at Howitt's papers and stands by what he sent to Frazer; thinks that Lang put [N. W.] Thomas in touch with [Carl] Strehlow the missionary so that he would quote him as a source, which he had not done, disapproves of Strehlow's use of 'altjira' for 'god'; will ignore for now the article by Lang in the [Journal of the Anthropological Institute] seems to be an attack on Spencer's address on totemism; discusses the ignorance of the cause of pregancy as noted in Frazer's articles in 'Fortnightly' ['The Beginnings of Religion and Totemism among the Australian Aborigines'?], pointing out that the 'savage' is a most logically minded individual and that it is natural to think that as not all sexual intercourse results in pregnancy, that they are not related matters; disagrees entirely with Lang's statement that encountering a group made up solely of women and children would astonish 'Australian savages'; Lang appears to especially dislike his and [Francis] Gillen's work; discusses Frazer's theory of conceptional totemism, and agrees with him that exogamy forms no part of totemism; wishes it were possible to call back to life extinct tribes and begin the study of them anew, 'the incompetent observer, such as [Samuel] Gason, does anthropology much harm'.
Corrected typescript, with corrections in Thomas's hand, describing rites connected with growing yams, including human sacrifice.
Postcard addressed to J. G. Frazer at 'St. Keyne', Grange Rd, Cambridge, but not sent through the post.
With caption on back in Thomas's hand describing the image, from Otria, S. Nigeria.
120 Gower Street, London, W.C.1. Dated 15.ii.19 - Has been reading his 'Folk-lore in the Old Testament' and offers his notes on deluge legends; discusses the Aguku and ultimogeniture; includes a transcription of a picture postcard of a Irua man making medicine to prevent rain.
120 Gower Street, W.C.1. Dated August 5th, 1919 - Sends a list of Wolof families and their totems from the 'Dictionnaire Volof français', and a note from a Serer Grammar listing the father's family, the totem, the mother's family, and totem or belief of the female line.
Lyowa, Benin City. Dated about November 15th, 1909 - Sends some additional notes [transcribed] about Ovia customs, about Eviatcoi and Lyowa customs and totems, and agricultural rites.
Benin City. Dated October 25th, 1909 - Has his letter, but fears even if he were to cable [H. R.] Palmer it would be too late; discusses difficulties of learning customs which are secret and held by one or two old men, difficulty obtaining translators, reports on totemism and exogamy he has encountered in different districts.
Original photograph dated July 13, 1909, from Otria, S. Nigeria.
Ohia, Ifon District. Dated 17.6.09 - Sends notes on Bini totemism [transcribed]; thanks Mrs Frazer for the blanks [of phonograph records], and for the pitch pipe.
Benin City. Dated 8.3.09 - Is sending some [phonograph] records, including one for which he has no counterfoil; shares a story about Bini; encloses a report on Bini totemism [transcribed].
Benin City. Dated 14.1.09 - Is sending some [phonograph] records 'which have not got into my book', including a flute record, '94, 95 follow next time, in the texts for 82-86'; instructs her to share some information on Bini totems with J. G.
Benin City. Dated 15.3.09 - Reports on a conference with the two oldest chiefs about taboo and totems.
Benin City. Dated 5.5.09 - Gives information on the taboos of animals and plants connected with burial customs, with specific examples for chief Agwoma.
Nzo Nkici ci, Buntingford. Dated 16.x.1908 - Sends some extracts of Colonial Office Papers submitted to him: information on the Fulahs of Gambia by W. B. Stanley, and the Angass of Kanna District, N. Nigeria by Capt. Foulkes, with a little information from the Gold Coast about a god-killing; thanks him for his 'powerful aid' in support of his [expedition], asks Mrs Frazer for advice on phonographs.
Buntingford. Undated [1908?] - [H. R.] Palmer has not yet published; arranges to meet.
Nzo Nkici Ci, Buntingford. Undated [1908?] - Cites Bluebook C, Lagos correspondence for an instance of father-son joint rule and suicide by son upon the death of father; H. R. Palmer is back in Africa but will publish on totemism soon.
7 Coptic St. W.C. 3 August, 1904 - Dennett's MS has yet to be revised as he is away; is puzzled by the Wilyaru Ceremony in [Spencer and Gillen's book 'The Northern Tribes of Central Australia']; encloses a transcript from an author who is now dead, 'Buléon, Sous le Ciel d'Afrique, Abbeville, 1896, 8. Refers referring to the Nkomis of Cape Lopez, Portuguese West Africa. p. 90' about an initiation ceremony in which the life of the initiate is linked to that of a wild animal.
7 Coptic St. W.C. Undated [1904?] - Cites an unpublished MS by R. L. [R. E.?] Dennett featuring a king who must fight all pretenders in the N. Province of Konjo.
3 Hanover St. Undated [1900?] - Suggests he contact Prof. Pandler about the 'Gehonnsbett' which is made on Midsummer Eve.
Melbourne. Dated June 29, 1906 - A long 12 page letter: has been extremely busy at the University of Melbourne, recasting courses of study and instituting new ones, and arranging the Jubilee; describes a holiday on the Tasman glacier in New Zealand; [A. W.] Howitt is much exercised by [Andrew] Lang's publications and thinks him 'entirely unreliable and unscrupulous' in handling evidence; has looked at Howitt's papers and stands by what he sent to Frazer; thinks that Lang put [N. W.] Thomas in touch with [Carl] Strehlow the missionary so that he would quote him as a source, which he had not done, disapproves of Strehlow's use of 'altjira' for 'god'; will ignore for now the article by Lang in the [Journal of the Anthropological Institute] seems to be an attack on Spencer's address on totemism; discusses the ignorance of the cause of pregancy as noted in Frazer's articles in 'Fortnightly' ['The Beginnings of Religion and Totemism among the Australian Aborigines'?], pointing out that the 'savage' is a most logically minded individual and that it is natural to think that as not all sexual intercourse results in pregnancy, that they are not related matters; disagrees entirely with Lang's statement that encountering a group made up solely of women and children would astonish 'Australian savages'; Lang appears to especially dislike his and [Francis] Gillen's work; discusses Frazer's theory of conceptional totemism, and agrees with him that exogamy forms no part of totemism; wishes it were possible to call back to life extinct tribes and begin the study of them anew, 'the incompetent observer, such as [Samuel] Gason, does anthropology much harm'.
Strafford House, Aldeburgh, Suffolk. Dated 10/7/10 - Describes his travels: particularly enjoyed Rothenberg, and cities in southern Spain; sent one of his copies of 'Totemism' to Sir Hugh Clifford; his review in the 'Nation' contained discussion of the sub-incision to stop procreation but was censored; hears [N. W.] Thomas will review the book in 'Folk-Lore'; promises to not send any more letters from [Andrew] Lang, but defends him as lacking malice; Clifford said he enjoyed 'Adonis, Attis' and would like them to meet.
1 Brick Court, Temple, London. E.C.4. Dated 12th October 1930 [recte 1920] - Wonders if he has received all the Bunyoro material, as he does not have anything on war, religion, and relationships; is glad to hear the Governor will consider a Government Ethnologist, Driberg, whom he knows nothing about, mentions Malinowski, but he is going to the Canary Islands to write his book, [W. H. R.] Rivers has a high opinion of Malinowski, Frazer mentions N. W. Thomas out of work, but he does not rate his anthropology highly; the papers are interested in the expedition.