The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-05-07
what Our A-ynn Auee.to-. Relieved.

We have an important and singularly in
teresting contribution to our knowledge of pre-
historic creeds in the Outlines Of nintitrc Belief
among the Ildo- European Races. by Mr.. G. L.
KEARY of the British Museum (Scribnersl No
contemporary essayist in the field Of compare
tive mythology-and we do not except Max
hnller-has known how to embellsh and illu-
mine work Of scientific aims and solid worth
with 80 much imaginative power and literary
charm. There arc chapters In this volume
which are rs persuasive IA n paper OF Matthew
hrnold's, as delightful as poem. The author
is not only n trained inquirer. but he presents
the fruits OF his research with tho skill and
felicity of an artist But mt this attractiveness.
which will assure to Mr.. kcary's book an audi
cnco much wider than can usually ba reached
by discussions Of primitive religions We can
but glance with note Of surprise ami admira-
ton, for the substantial merits OF the WORK
require distinct recognition.
What is it shat Mr. Keary has hero tried to
do2 There should be no IN stake upon this
point. and We observe with regret that some re-
viewers have assumed too hastily that II" has
undertaken IN invalidat. the teachings OF Mr.
Herbert Spencer touching tho genesis of r"lis-
iuus belief Ia the interest NJ orthodox theologi-
cal opinions 1t Is true that the author while
fully anprrclatins the SCUM nNss and fruitful
ness of Mr. Spcu"cr'S conclusions in other lines
OF Investigation. docs not accept his theory OF
tho i;n u religions: bat his own hypothesis
IL clurlly irrcouncilahlu with those notions or
the subject which we are wont 10 hear meal
Gated from tho pulpit. t. prevent msconccp-
ton. it may h. vol to quote Mr. Kcary's Ian
Eua-c: Nothing bat Mir. Spcnc-r's great
nam" and tho value Of his researches in other
fields. could have mndn his theory Of tho
n raj ian a
rs It has boon. But in truth Mr..
Spcnc"r's researches in other folds do
not give him tho weight of a special authority
IN this one There is but one key to psychology
Of the kind, AMI that Is phiooGy; but 10 THE
the philosopher has never turned any special
attention. Accordingly. "a he is trealin.: IN n
sphere which is unfamiliar Mr.. Spencer foot
steps are here fur less firm than in other
pjHc"s.' The author goes on 10 say that Mr.
SpHncrr upon any other subject would hardly
use the totem theory in tho way he does to
support his views. The totem. We are romind.
ed il the name Of the dead ancestor who ia suu-
posed n have b'tpmN tho rucr Of any special
part NJ nature. Mr. Spcnc. accounts for The
apparent fact that men 40 actually worship the
c'oni and seq and >Iy by supposin; that some
ancestor had reccyed Cs totem the name ~
cloud or sea or sky" From this Wow
Mr., Krary finds himself constrained Ivy hls own
stu lies in philolo-y 10 dissent. The object Of
his hook is 10 prove TINT So flr rs concerns tho
lnlo- European races, tho key TO their prrmi-
tive beliefs IS tu be sought not in nncc-to yy,r
ship hut IN nature wor-h,p-not IN to,rmf "a.
but in trtiahISm, the hitter word bvln4: used in
a carefully defined scu,c.
There are Of course ,wo WAYS ot approaching
those primal hryan holo,' viii h ar, hero ma lie
tho subject Of iNuuIrV. the St,u'lnn unl tl,n