Note 814 — Chapter IV · MAGIC AND RELIGION

The opposition of principle between magic and religion is well brought out by Sir A. C. Lyall in his Asiatic Studies, First Series (London, 1899), i. 99 sqq. It is also insisted on by Mr. F. B. Jevons in his Introduction to the History of Religion (London, 1896). The distinction is clearly apprehended and sharply maintained by Professor H. Oldenberg in his notable book Die Religion des Veda (Berlin, 1894); see especially pp. 58 sq., 311 sqq., 476 sqq. 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 (London, 1870), pp. 116, 164 sq., 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 was unaware that the view here taken has the support of his high authority. When I wrote this book originally I failed to realise the extent of the opposition between magic and religion, because I had not formed a clear general conception of the nature of religion, and was disposed to class magic loosely under it.