Note 860 — Chapter IV · (continued 2)

T. Bateman, Ten Years’ Diggings, pp. 78-9; W. Greenwell, Brit. Barrows, pp. 120, 164-5, 177, 243-4. Cf. O. Schrader, Prehist. Ant. of the Aryan Peoples, pp. 390-1. Mr. E. Sidney Hartland (Folk-Lore, xi, 1900, p. 91), criticizing Sir A. Lyall’s remark (Asiatic Studies, 2nd ser., 1899, p. 247) that ‘a Calabar chief explained to Miss Kingsley that the custom [of sacrificing wives at their husbands’ funerals] was also a salutary check upon husband-poisoning’, says that this does not explain the origin of the custom. Sir Alfred did not quote it in this sense; but it may explain the persistence of the custom even among certain ancient tribes. Cf. Caesar, B. G., vi, 19, § 3.