CHAP. VI.] MAN. 



teachings of Spiritism as a new gospel. But how often 

 may not the highest signification lie hidden and latent under 

 a term which is apparently but sensuous in its meaning ? 

 The loftiest terms in use amongst us even now, whether in 

 Science, Religion, or Philosophy, are, when ultimately ana 

 lysed, but sensuous symbols, such being the necessary mate 

 rials of our whole language ; but this by no means prevents 

 our attaching to such subjects very different ideas. Who, 

 when speaking of the spirit of Shakespeare, thinks of the 

 pulmonary exhalation which that term primitively denoted? 

 Mr. Tylor objects * to the expression, &quot; an offering made by 

 fire of a sweet savour before the Lord,&quot; as being barbarous ; 

 but what words could have been used to express spiritual 

 acceptability which would not have had a primarily sensuous 

 meaning? Yet granted that many races have no higher 

 conceptions as to the preternatural than belief in demons, 

 dread of witchcraft, and belief in ghosts, is that any reason 

 why such races should not be descended from remote ances 

 tors with a much higher creed ? Such, indeed, does appear 

 to be the opinion of Sir John Lubbock, who says : t &quot;Religion 

 appeals so strongly to the hopes and fears of men, it takes so 

 deep a hold on most minds, in its higher forms it is so great 

 a consolation in times of sorrow and sickness, that I can 

 hardly think any nation would ever abandon it altogether.&quot; 

 Again, in reply to the Duke of Argyll, who had objected 

 existing phenomena, Sir John observes : \ &quot;If the Duke 

 means to say that men who are highly civilised, habitually 

 or frequently lose and scornfully disavow religion, I can only 

 say that I should adopt such an opinion with difficulty and 

 regret.&quot; The latter of these passages takes away any weight 

 which might attach to the former, for it is difficult to believe 

 that the passage last quoted can have been seriously meant 

 by its author when we reflect that he must be acquainted 

 with the views of Buchner, Vogt, and Strauss. It is in one 



* Primitive Culture, vol. ii. p. 350. 

 f The Origin of Civilisation, p. 331. 

 I Ibid. p. 348. 



