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Letter from Francis Galton to Arthur [Keith]

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Letter in reply to Arthur's question about a geology book with a mention of Huxley's "Physiography". Also recommends Arthur read J. G. Frazer's 'Golde
Show moreLetter in reply to Arthur's question about a geology book with a mention of Huxley's "Physiography". Also recommends Arthur read J. G. Frazer's 'Golden bough' to estimate the "value, historically, of Hebrwe-Christian doctrines and rites" Transcription: "Jan 9 1901 My dear Arthur I am glad you appreciate Haxley's lift + character to my mind both are first-rate. you ask about a color book. color is not much in my way and the science seems to me to want such a text book as [might, I shd think, be more written, beginning with the making of deformations experimentally and with the measured forces of erosion, transportation of rocks by flowing water, + all the physical agencies with which geologists are concerned. Haxley's 'Phytiography' passes through many editions + is in full [] now! As you see you have [] with scientific methods and precision it strikes me that you would find a thorough study of [] Golden Bough" (3 vols) very [] in estimating the value, historically, of Hebret ow Christian doctrines + rites. He takes the Golden Bough [Lake of Nemi...."the priest who flew the Slayershall himself be slain"] as a text, to string together a most marvellously large collection of custom, beliefs, [] of all nations. I find the [expiratory] part most interesting. Frazer is as you may know, a first rate scholar with the strongest leaning towards the archaeological side. His 6 volume([big] ones) translation + comments on [] are a monumental work. His Golden Bough([], enlarged + uniformed in the recent 3 vol Edition) is also quite first class. He arrives [at] conclusions, except in the narrow sense of the meaning of the Golden Bough [], but indicate many of the highest importance. Of course one can [] understand that a man in his position at Cambridge, + with his antecendents would refrain as far as possible from [] feelings. He is a most good + thorough as well as a most learned + capable man. I know of very much to his credit. I trust you will pull well through the bitter months of the year. We, that is Eva + I, hope to go south in a fortnight perhaps, or in 3 weeks or so. Affectionately yours Francis Galton" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from 42, Rutland Gate.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Creator

Galton, Francis, Sir, 1822-1911

Permanent URL

http://hdl.handle.net/2186/ksl:ditalldar00106