J. G. Frazer to Howitt 23 October 1906

Transcription - Page 8

amongst Lang's numerous
writings on the subject, did you
take account of his review of
you in the Quarterly Review [underlined]?
It followed shortly after then
publication of your book. I did
not read it, as his special
pleadings, [and - crossed out] his misapprehensions,
and his whole tone are to me insufferable. But if
you have the patience to go
through it, you might perhaps
extract from it some gems for
your collection.

I am very glad indeed
to hear from you that you incline
to agree with me in regarding
the reincarnation idea as probably
the root of totemism. Spencer
writes to me to the same
effect in a long letter, which
I was very glad indeed to
get. Our European dolts
practically disbelieve (though
they do not dare to say so
openly) in Spencer and Gillen's