XXXVI WORK IN THE UPPER HOUSE 189 



Trinity College, Cambridge, 

 18th December 1903. 



Dear Lord Avebury — In the new edition of my 

 book I propose to add the following to the note on 

 p. 63 of the first volume. As it concerns you, I submit 

 it to you for your approval : 



" Lord Avebury has courteously pointed out to me 

 that the fundamental difference between magic and 

 religion was dwelt on by him many years ago. See his 

 Origin of Civilisation, First Edition (London, 1870), 

 pp. 126, 332 seq., and the Preface to the Sixth Edition 

 of that work (London, 1902), p. vi. I am glad to find 

 myself in agreement with Lord Avebury on this subject, 

 and only regret that in preparing my second edition I 

 failed to notice that the view here taken has the support 

 of his high authority." 



If there is anything in this that you would wish 

 changed, please let me know. 



I have not heard further from Miss E. P. Hughes 

 as to the Chinese practice about which we have corre- 

 sponded. But Mr. Foxwell, who spent some time as 

 professor of political economy, I believe, in Japan, 

 told me that he quite believes the practice to exist. 

 The sum he had heard mentioned as the price of a 

 voluntary substitute for capital punishment was a 

 good deal higher than that mentioned to Miss Hughes, 

 viz. £10. The motive, he understands, is the one 

 stated by Mr. Eames, namely the desire to benefit the 

 family and raise it in the social scale. Thus viewed 

 the practice is really a high form of heroism. Mr. 

 Foxwell suggested that I should enquire direct of the 

 Chinese Minister in London, but I have not yet done 

 so. Has it occurred to you to apply to the Minister ? 

 He would be much more likely to answer you than me. 

 — Believe me, yours sincerely, J. G. Frazer. 



The " Chinese practice " referred to is the 

 convenient one of purchasing a substitute in 

 case of being condemned to the death penalty 

 for some offence against the law. Lord Avebury 

 received a very long communication on the 

 subject from Mr. Bromley Eames, who had 



