THE ISLES OF THE BLEST.
BY W. J. PERRY.
The theme of this paper is familiar to members of the Folk-Lore Society. So many of its distinguished members have studied the literature of the Isles of the Blest and kindred themes that it would almost seem to have established a claim in this region of study. In view of the amount of research that has been lavished upon this topic, and of the ability and ingenuity thereby displayed, it is presumptive, not to say daring, of anyone who has not followed closely in their footsteps to offer any remarks in the hope of helping on the matter to its conclusion. As Miss Weston remarks in the current number of the Journal, "a little knowledge (of the literature of the Grail legend) is a dangerous thing." So is a little knowledge of the work that has been done on certain aspects of the Isles of the Blest. But it is in the hope that the presentation of another point of view may perhaps be of some use to specialists that I venture to offer these few remarks. Sometimes a student who approaches a well-known topic from a new angle may be able to add his small quota to the sum total of knowledge.
Whether or not you believe in the immense effect of climatic and other external natural conditions on the development of human society, it is certain that innate tendencies in man have led him to construct the complex organisation that we call civilisation; and it is the ultimate aim of all who study human society in any of its aspects
