27.07.1901. From A. C. H. (in Cambridge) to B. S. A. C. H. asks where B. S. is and how he is getting on. News of B. S. is eagerly awaited. Frazer’s “Golden Bough” has caused a commotion by its explanation of the crucifixion. News of Tylor and other academic colleagues.
My dear Spencer, I have often wondered where you and how you were getting on – I suppose you will very soon strike civilization again. All your English colleagues are eagerly looking for news of you and are anticipating grand results – that is if you have any luck at all. Let us hope that no disasters will destroy or diminish your collections or notes. The report from Expedition is being published, but it takes a long time When you come to England next you will see it early volumes published. I am having a trip in the U. States this autumn. I start on Sept. 21 & return by middle of December. I am
very desirous of studying the American Museums – courses of study & methods. I expect to return very dissatisfied with my own country. Frazer has made a commotion with the 2nd Edn. of his Golden Bough his explanation for the crucifixion has not unnaturally been strongly contested especially by Andrew Lang – who is posing as the apostle of orthodoxy & it is very amusing – but I am afraid that Frazer takes it rather badly & I fancy Mrs. Frazer makes far too much of it & aggravates Frazer’s sensitiveness. His eyes are bad and he has gone to Germany to consult a specialist – his wife thinks it is very serious – but one can never trust her account of anything – It would be dreadful if it should prove to be serious. When you come to England to write your new book you should come to Cambridge to work at it. It would be very jolly to have you handy & to compare notes & to yarn about our experiences. I have now resigned my Dublin Chair in order to devote myself entirely to anthropology & to establishing the subject in Cambridge. It is slow and uphill work. Tylor has not been very well but he is much better now – he is getting old – Balfour too has been seedy – it is a great pity he is so delicate.
Do you know Prof Ridgeway – our Disney Prof. of Archaeology? He is a great man – you would be delighted with him. Please give my regards to Gillen I hope he will come to England too so that the British anthropologists may make his acquaintance & congratulate him in person on all he has done- With the best of wishes Believe me ever to be Yours very faithfully Alfred C. Haddon
