Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 7, 1896.djvu/431

Rh tions of the dead king to men and gods are described in terms of the crudest and most savage realism. Similarly an early realisation of what we now imply when we use the word "God" is deduced from texts described as far older than others which present a view of the divine hierarchy wholly at variance with such a conception as our "God." The unprejudiced outsider can hardly resist the conclusion either that the exegesis of the most eminent Egyptologists is at fault when they deal with texts containing the word "Neter" translated "God," or else that Egyptian religion has suffered from revolutionary changes which have left no trace upon the monumental history. If we bear in mind the success of modern criticism in detecting a revolution (Khuen Aten's substitution of the worship of the sun for that of Ra) slight in comparison with the apparent emergence and disappearance of a pure and lofty monotheism, the second explanation does not commend itself, and the critical outsider is moved to question interpretations which the most eminent experts have accepted without hesitation.

To say this is merely to say that Dr. Budge has not written the last word upon Egyptian mythology and eschatology. But the materials are there, as also the official view of them presented soberly and fairly. The student of general anthropology and mythology has at least something to work upon.

The production of the book reflects the highest credit upon the Museum authorities, and the extremely low price (£1 10s.) places it within reach of all who really wish to investigate for themselves man's oldest speculations respecting his destiny after this life.

previous writings on the traditions of Provence and of Senegambia bespeak him a favourable hearing when he abandons for a time the work of collection for that of comparison and exposition. And the reader will find in the volumes now published (apparently an instalment of a longer work) much to stimulate his thought. The total effect, however,