The Great Taboo

The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Great Taboo, by Grant AllenThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: The Great TabooAuthor: Grant AllenRelease Date: October 26, 2004 [eBook #13876]Language: English***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT TABOO***E-text prepared by Mary Meehan and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading TeamTHE GREAT TABOObyGRANT ALLENPREFACEI desire to express my profound indebtedness, for the central mythological idea embodied in this tale, to Mr. J.G. Frazer'sadmirable and epoch-making work, "The Golden Bough," whose main contention I have endeavored incidentally topopularize in my present story. I wish also to express my obligations in other ways to Mr. Andrew Lang's "Myth, Ritual,and Religion," Mr. H.O. Forbes's "Naturalist's Wanderings," and Mr. Julian Thomas's "Cannibals and Convicts." If I haveomitted to mention any other author to whom I may have owed incidental hints, it will be some consolation to me to reflectthat I shall at least have afforded an opportunity for legitimate sport to the amateurs of the new and popular Britishpastime of badger-baiting or plagiary-hunting. It may also save critics some moments' search if I say at once that, aftercareful consideration, I have been unable to ...