PRIMITIVE SUPERSTITIONS.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] Sin,—Your review, in the Spectator of March 21st, of " The Golden Bough : a Study in Comparative Religion," greatly interested me. In the last paragraph, you refer to a very curious account of the belief of the Nass River Indians (British Columbia), that " a doctor may swallow his patient's soul," &o. As an instance of a similar belief, permit me to draw your attention to an account in to-day's Times of some French travellers in Madagascar.
Dr. Catat and his two companions, MM. Maistre and Foucart, recently made a journey to that country for the purpose of exploring it. Whilst engaged in the exploration of the country of the "Bare," which is near the Western coast, they succeeded, after much opposition, in photographing the Royal family. The following day, to their surprise, war was declared against them. Upon inquiring the reason, they were accused of taking the souls of the natives, with the object of selling them when they reached their own country. This, of course, they denied ; but it was of no avail. The travellers were compelled (as is the custom of the country) to catch the souls, which were then placed in a great basket, and ordered by Dr. Catat to return to their respective domiciles. As an illustration of the religion of primitive races existing to-day, I thought the above particulars might interest your readers.— I am, Sir, &c., Eccles, March 24th. W. D. PITCAIRN, F.R.G.S.
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