Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/135

 Rh of many popular expressions lies in a tendency of the human mind to create myths out of what they do not quite understand; and this extremely important fact would, if properly examined and brought into the domain of scientific observation, do a great deal towards establishing some kind of rule by which fo test the genesis of myth. We all know that Professor Max Müller has popularised the suggestion that language passes through a mythic period from which has sprung the great bulk of Aryan mythology. It takes a vast and exceedingly intricate research to bring this to the test of absolute proof; but, if we narrow down our limits to that encompassed by Mr. Palmer's book, it would appear that folk-etymology has yet an important part to play in folk-lore which has not yet been touched upon. Leaving now the consideration of the place this book will occupy on our shelves, let us add that it is an extremely interesting book quite apart from its folk-lore value. Mr. Palmer has hunted far and near for his information, and he affords us many a reference to well-known sayings which go far to explain their origin and to entirely cut away existing notions. "Honeymoon" is popularly supposed to be connected with "honey," and it seems hard indeed to have to give this idea up for the far more prosaical derivation from Icelandic hjón, a wedded pair. There are numerous entries on the popular names of plants, of birds and of animals, there are children's games, superstitious ideas and practices, and indeed on every page Mr. Palmer's book abounds in interest; and revised as it has been by Mr. Skeat we cordially recommend it to our readers whether for amusement or study.

At Lisbon will be published Materiaes para a Historia da Litteratura Brazileira, por Sylvio Romero. The following are the titles of, the volumes:—"Estudos sobre a Poesia popular Brazileira," one volume; "Cantos Populares do Brazil, acompanhados de um estudo e notas comparativas," por Theophilo Braga, one volume; "Contos Populares do Brazil, acompanhados de um prologo critico e notas comparativas" por Theophilo Braga, one volume.

The President received the Members of the Society at his residence.