Howitt to Fison 11 October 1878

Transcription - Page 3

for the rest. It seems to me [that - crossed out] to
be an example in which the advance
in family has been exceptionally more
rapid as regards the language than elsewhere
in Australian tribes. It forms a complete
contrast to the Kamilaroi - in the former
the husband jealously keeps his wife to
himself while in the latter she is the
wife of a group. I have agian today asked
a lot of men - Brabrolung + Tatungolung
whether the Kurni ever lent his wife to a
friend - they all positively said "We would not
do it - we have heard of such things among
the Brajerak" Will it not be well when
a sweeping statement is made as at p. 30
as to marriage, to shew that there may be other
exceptions such as that of the Kurni. I shall
go on making enquiries as questions arise
but I do not expect to vary or contradict
what I have written but to confirm and
expand. I shall be anxious to hear what
[?items have?] struck you after reading my
contribution. I do not at present see
how the two parts can be interwoven
- I think we can amalgamate in the
general statements - that is if I can do so
without taking too much of your labours.
We shall see - things always work