Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/311

Rh each member of the household definite duties and observances, organised distinct family life. Mr. Gomme's most interesting chapters are those in which he traces many of our folk-customs to the ritual which in the early household hallowed hearth and threshold, roof-tree and wall. Indeed it is this second stage in the development of the village community which is chiefly illustrated from English beliefs and customs, and Mr. Gomme contents himself with tracing it thus far.

In anticipation of a second edition I would suggest the advisability of keeping to one plan in dealing with the facts. At times (e.g. in Ch. ) the author groups at the outset the fragments of English folk-belief, and then illustrates them from savage and primitive practice; at other times (e.g. in Ch. and ) he reverses this method. Uniformity would tend to greater clearness. I must own too that I am not convinced by Mr. Gomme's attempt (in Ch. ) to refer the many stories in which supernatural manifestations compel builders to choose a fresh site, to a foundation-sacrifice root. According to him the majority of these stories in their present shape have lost an important feature, viz. the omission of the preliminary sacrifice and the consequent anger of the earth-spirit. The theory is ingenious and taking, but it does not seem warranted by the evidence. Nor can I agree with him that English marriage-customs show any traces of endogamy and community of women as opposed to exogamy and marriage by capture. I make these remarks in the hope that he will deal more fully with both of these subjects.

Space will not allow my saying more of this brilliant and interesting work, nor need I assure members of the Society that it is marked by Mr. Gomme's usual width of knowledge and ingenuity of treatment. It only requires revision to become the standard work on the matter.

The story-list of this volume of Bengal tales is—Life's Secret, Phakir Chand, The Indigent Brahman, The Story of the Rakshasas, The Story of Swet-Basanta, The Evil Eye of Sani, The Boy whom seven Mothers suckled, The story of Prince Sobur, The Origin of