Item 16 - Letter from E. Sidney Hartland to J. G. Frazer

1 item

Highgarth, Gloucester - Doesn't feel they have enough evidence to say what the origin of totemism is; doesn't see a clear line between magic and religion; mentions Baldwin Spencer's letter which points in favour of Frazer's theory; asks if he has read [Jesse] Fewkes' article on the Owakülti Altar at Sichomovi Pueblo; agrees with Frazer about [Andrew] Lang's use of [Alfred] Howitt and [Henry] Roth; is surprised to hear the story about [E. B.] Tylor wishing to supress a chapter in Spencer and Gillen's book; agrees with Frazer about [Frank] Jevons' difficulty because he generalized too soon; will write to [George] Theal.

A typescript copy of this letter is housed as Add.Ms.b.36.43.

Published in Ackerman, Robert, ed. 'Selected Letters of Sir J. G. Frazer'. Oxford: Oxford University Press, [2005].