CAMBRIDGE 67 



line was by the study of living savage races, and of 

 such inferences regarding the past as might be drawn 

 from implements and bones preserved in prehistoric 

 graves and caverns. The horizon of the Antiquarians 

 was so narrow at about the date of my Cambridge 

 days, that the whole history of the early world was 

 literally believed, by many of the best informed men, 

 to be contained in the Pentateuch. It was also 

 practically supposed that nothing more of importance 

 could be learnt of the origins of civilisation during- 

 classical times than was to be found definitely stated 

 in classical authors. 



Sir H. Maine considerably extended this narrow 

 horizon through his close analysis of classical writings 

 in the light of his Indian experiences, but he was 

 always tempted to look on what was really a very 

 advanced form of civilisation as if it had been 

 primitive, and thereby laid himself open to violent 

 attack. Among his opponents, J. F. MacLennan 

 (182 7- 1 881), the author of Marriage by Capture, etc., 

 was eminently impetuous, and Maine, knowing that 

 I was well acquainted with him, begged me to do 

 what I could to moderate his controversial tone ; 

 I tried in vain. This, however, is travelling many 

 years ahead. I had often occasion to consult Sir H. 

 Maine on subjects that I had then in hand, and always 

 found him a most helpful adviser. 



It is difficult to select illustrative episodes of my 

 Cambridge days. William Johnson Cory, then known 

 as Johnson of King's (1823- 1892), " Poet, and Master 

 at Eton," was a remarkable character. He was 

 easily the first classic of his year, as tested by the 

 brilliancy of his performance in gaining the Craven 



