Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 15.djvu/819

 INFLUENCE OF SUPERSTITION ON PROPERTY RIGHTS 805

Similar evidence for this widespread superstition is found in the New World. Thus an old writer tells us that the Caribs inclosed their plots of land "onely with a little cotton line and they account it a matter of sacriledge if any passe over the corde and treade on the possession of his neighbour, and holde it for certayne that whoso violateth this sacred thing shall shortly perish."^^

From this rapid survey of a very little of the evidence it appears that in primitive society the aid of religion or magic is often called in to buttress a system, previously existing, of indi- vidual ownership. To the operation of such widespread practices we may confidently assign some influence in developing a sense of the sacredness of private property. Superstition, as well as reasoned custom and organic law, has helped to sustain the un- stable foundations of property-rights among mankind. It has done this, to quote the eloquent words of Professor Frazer, "by furnishing the ignorant, the weak, and the foolish with a motive, bad though it be, for good conduct. It is a reed, a broken reed, which has yet supported the steps of many a poor erring brother, who but for it might have stumbled and fallen."

^ Hakluyt, Historie of the West Indies, Decade VIII, chap, vi; cited by Jevons, Introduction to the History of Religion*, p. 72.