THE ST. GEORGE, OR MUMMERS’, PLAYS: A STUDY 
IN THE PROTOLOGY OF THE DRAMA. 
ARTHUR BEATTY, 
University of Wisconsin. 
PREFATORY NOTE. 
Tlie scope of this paper is so- narrow that only a single as¬ 
pect of the ceremonies of primitive peoples is noticed. There 
is no opportunity to discuss the ritual and the hearing of the 
songs on the question of the origin of poetry and the drama. 
A volume on this important aspect of folk ceremonies is in 
preparation by the author. 
Perhaps a word is needed in justification of the new term 
“Protology.” The word is used simply because we have no 
name for the method herein employed. “Comparative Litera¬ 
ture” implies a study of the relations between literatures, but 
this essay does not follow this method. It rather goes outside 
the domain of literature, written or spoken, into the world of 
belief and ceremonial, where it is conceived the ultimate origin 
of the Mummers’ plays lies. Thus in all such studies as are 
largely extra-literarjq and are yet enquiries into literary orig¬ 
ins, a new term seems to be required, and so I venture to launch 
the word P'rotology . 1 
INTRODUCTION. 
In the study of Einglish literature we come into contact 
with certain forms which are not amenable to the ordinary 
literary laws. IWe are accustomed to associate definite author- 
1 7rpwTO? and Aoyos. 
