The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume XII, No. 2 [‎285r] (72/154)

MR. FRAZER’S PAUSANIAS.
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scholars and classical archaeologists, but the greatness of the task has
hitherto discouraged the boldest spirits from attempting it. For
Fausanias’ book is in its way unique in literature. Nowhere else can
we find so complete an account of an ancient country, especially in
respect of the buildings and works of art which it contained. And the
period at which it was composed was eminently suitable for such a task,
for at no time, in all probability, had the monuments of Greece been so
mimerous and in so good preservation as they were in the middle of the
second century of our era when Pausanias wrote. In places, indeed,
decay had then already begun, but this was comjoensated by the work
of restoration which shortly before that date had been promoted by the
Emperor Hadrian. But, in addition to remarkable industry in observing
these objects, and carefulness in noting down their details, Pausanias
was possessed by an extraordinary curiosity concerning the legends and
superstitious beliefs which were attached both to the sacred relics pre
served in the temples and to natural features of the ground, such as
fountains and groves; and stories connected with these are of constant
occurrence in his narrative. Now, in respect of both the subjects by
which the old archaeologist was thus attracted, an extraordinary advance
in knowledge has been made during the last half-century. This has
been pre-eminently the age of excavation in Greece, so that, in the
course of it, one after another of the most famous ancient sites in that
country have been exposed to view, and it has thus been possible to
verify the statements of Pausanias on the spot, through the discovery
of the buildings and statues which he saw, or of inscriptions relating to
them. Again, during this period there has been a remarkable develop
ment of the study of folklore, and of the branches of anthropology
which are akin to it; so that in numerous instances the portents and
marvellous stories which Pausanias records can be paralleled by tales and
customs which have been discovered in distant parts of the world, and,
instead of being regarded as mere curiosities, can, to some extent, be
classified. It is clear that the competent editor of Pausanias should
be one who is well versed in both the studies which have just been
mentioned.
Such an editor has been found in Mr. Frazer, and the six handsome
volumes which compose the present edition furnish ample evidence of
his competency for the task. The first of these contains Mr. Frazer’s
introduction, and his translation of Pausanias’ work, by means of which
it is brought within the reach of other than classical students; and
with the same object in view Mr. Frazer has avoided the use of technical
phraseology in his notes, as far as is compatible with a scientific treat
ment of his subject. The English of the translation is clear and good,
and, when the style of Pausauias admits of it—as, for instance, in the
history of the Messenian wars—it rises to more than average excellence.
The last volume comprises the two indexes, the larger of which, a very