Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 4 1886.djvu/104

96 spots, moon worship, moon superstitions, moon inhabitation. Mr. Harley has read widely and noted carefully; but it is not necessary to crowd in all and every quotation bearing however remotely upon the subject. But Mr. Harley does not profess to write scientifically: he says his "work is a contribution to light literature, and to the literature of light," a mode of expression which conveys a very good idea of the character of the book. We are far from desiring to suggest that there is nothing of value in this collection of moon-lore, because as the author is always careful to give chapter and verse for his quotation there is certainly a very interesting accumulation of material for subsequent scientific use, and in the meantime we have a readable and useful book. Some anecdotes, such, for instance, as that of the little girl at Dr. Bernardo's Home, who was a veritable modern moon worshipper in civilized England, are of some considerable value to folk-lorists, because they are obtained from sources not usually consulted.

This is a genuine contribution to those folk-lore collections from India which are always so welcome to students of nearly all sections of history; and Mr. Knowles has aided the student very learnedly and ably by his accumulation of folk-lore in illustration of the proverbial sayings. One cannot read these proverbs without at once detecting their primitive characteristics and extracting from them some notion of the life of the people who use them—a fact which shows how faithful has been Mr. Knowles's method of work. He tells us that he believes nearly all the proverbs are contained in this little book, and he has been at great pains to consult Hindu and Muhammadan friends as to the correct reading and explanations of each proverb. Mr. Knowles has spent two winters in the most invigorating air and sublime quiet of Kashmír, as a missionary, and amidst the happiness of his other labours he has turned to the people to teach him their lore. We congratulate him upon the result, and gladly give a welcome to his valuable book.