It may be true that the books of the Rig Veda are chiefly family-books for the _soma_-cult, but even were it true it would in no wise impugn the poetic character of some of the hymns contained in these books.

The drag-net has scooped up old and new, good and bad, together.

The Rig Veda is not of one period or of one sort.

It is a 'Collection,' as says its name.

It is essentially impossible that any sweeping statement in regard to its character should be true if that character be regarded as uniform.