216 SUPERSTITION. [ix. 



of dreaming than that the soul left the body, and 

 wandered free, we cannot condemn the savage for his 

 theory. 



Now, I submit that in these simple facts we have a 

 group of " true causes " which are the roots of all the 

 superstitions of the world. 



And if any one shall complain that I am talking 

 materialism : I shall answer, that I am doing exactly 

 the opposite. I am trying to eliminate and get rid of 

 that which is material, animal, and base ; in order that 

 that which is truly spiritual may stand out, distinct 

 and clear, in its divine and eternal beauty. 



To explain, and at the same time, as I think, to 

 verify my hypothesis, let me give you an example 

 fictitious, it is true, but probable fact nevertheless ; 

 because it is patched up of many fragments of actual 

 fact : and let us see how, in following it out, we 

 shall pass through almost every possible form of 

 superstition. 



Suppose a great hollow tree, in which the formidable 

 wasps of the tropics have built for ages. The average 

 savage hurries past the spot in mere bodily fear ; for 

 if they come out against him, they will sting him to 

 death ; till at last there comes by a savage wiser than 

 the rest, with more observation, reflection, imagination, 

 independence of will the genius of his tribe. 



The awful shade of the great tree, added to his 

 terror of the wasps, weighs on him, and excites his 

 brain. Perhaps, too, he has had a wife or a child stung 

 to death by these same wasps. These wasps, so small, 

 yet so wise, far wiser than he : they fly, and they 

 sting. Ah, if he could fly and sting ; how he would 

 kill and eat, and live right merrily. They build great 



