72 Life and Letters of Francis Gallon 



A month later Francis writes : 



BOULOGNE SUE MER, 



Nov. 30, 1830. 

 MY DEAR MAMMA, 



Thank you for your nice letters, but in your last letter you have no need to 

 praise me for mine, for I had put nothing in it hardly, for I had but a quarter of an 

 hour to write it in. When I said I was put in Robinson, I meant Robinson Crusoe, 

 which I like pretty well. I hope you will come over soon here for I should like to see 

 you, and to go out with you, for I miss dear Papa's greengages, which he used to give 



me when he was here Tell Papa to bring at least two bottles of caustic, for what 



you will hardly believe when I tell you that I have one hundred and forty-two little 

 warts. Unfortunately I have had a cold which kept me from going out yesterday, and 

 even I am now in the sick-room whilst I am writing this letter. I have been ill once 

 before, last Saturday I could hardly speak, and yesterday which was a going out 

 Sunday, I was kept in bed all day. I am getting on with my Latin pretty well, but 

 now I must end my letter for its getting very dark. Good bye and believe me always 



Your most affectionate son, 



FRANCIS GALTON. 



In the next letter, we learn that little Frank, as he was called at 

 home, had spent his Christmas vacation as he did the following Easter 

 holidays at Boulogne. Nor had there been a parental visit. After the 

 usual phrases about liking the school and the kindness of the boys, and 

 spending the holidays very happily, Frank continues : 



" Please to tell Emma and Bessy to take the greatest care of my carnations, and other 

 flowers, for when I come home, I shall expect to see about twenty roots and please 



take up all the weeds that you can All my warts are gone off except one that is 



remaining. Thank you for saying that you would keep a bit of caustic. My flannel 

 drawers and waistcoats are very comfortable. I am very glad that you have left off 

 being a Banker 1 , for you will have more time to yourself and better health. I must 

 now leave off', so good bye, and believe me 



Always your affectionate Son, 



FRANCIS GALTON." 



The next letter preserved follows the Easter holidays, and Francis 

 thanks his father for buying five shillings' worth of flower seeds for his 

 garden. He notes also that it now will not be more than three months 

 to the Midsummer holidays when the precious garden and all the 

 domestic pets from dogs to Alderney cows would again be actualities. 



1 The Galton Bank was closed on May 31, 1831, and Tertius Gal ton removed at the 

 end of this year from Birmingham to Leamington. 



