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Abstract

ON April 14 Sir James G. Frazer, O.M., was officially invested by M. de Fleurian at the French Embassy in London with the most distinguished title of Commandeur de la Legion d'Honneur, which had recently been conferred on him by the French Government. This rank in the Legion of Honour is, we believe, the highest which is conferred upon a private individual, and is a fitting recognition of one who for many years has held an outstanding position in the field of thought and scientific investigation. It is a little more than a year ago that Sir James Frazer's contributions to the study of the development of human consciousness as manifested in the religious beliefs and social organisation of primitive and early man received the signal recognition of the Order of Merit. This testimony to his pre-eminence among scientific workers in Great Britain is now supplemented by an honour which will serve to remind his fellow-countrymen, should such reminder be needed, that his reputation stands equally high on the Continent, and that his lectures in France and translations of his works have made the name of the author of “The Golden Bough” almost equally familiar on both sides of the Channel. We offer Sir James Frazer our sincere congratulations on this latest honour.