CHAPTER XXIV. Hospitality

HOSPITALITY

Instances of great kindness displayed by savages towards persons of a foreign race, pp. 570-572.--Hospitality a universal custom among the lower races and among the peoples of culture at the earlier stages of their civilisation, pp. 572-574.--The stranger treated with special marks of honour, and enjoying extraordinary privileges as a guest, pp. 574-576.--Custom may require that hospitality should be shown even to an enemy, p. 576 sq.--To protect a guest looked upon as a most stringent duty, p. 577 sq.--Hospitality in a remarkable degree associated with religion, pp. 578-580.--The rules of hospitality in the main based on egoistic considerations, p. 581.--The stranger, supposed to bring with him good luck or blessings, pp. 581-583.--The blessings of a stranger considered exceptionally powerful, p. 583 sq.--The visiting stranger regarded as a potential source of evil, p. 584.--His evil wishes and curses greatly feared, owing partly to his quasi-supernatural character, partly to the close contact in which he comes with the host and his belongings, pp. 584-590.--Precautions taken against the visiting stranger, pp. 590-593.--Why no payment is received from a guest, p. 593 sq.--The duty of hospitality limited by time, p. 594 sq.--The cause of this, p. 595 sq.--The decline of hospitality in progressive communities, p. 596.