Lehrjahrc and Wanderjalirc 181 



ferociously at present. First for ray degree and secondly on the 4 different subjects, 

 Anatomy, Practice of Medicine, Chemistry and Forensic Medicine. I did at one time 

 know these same subjects well enough, hut they slip in an extraordinary degreo out of 

 the mind. I am writing in the Union and waiting for some motions to come on that I 

 was pledged last term to open. I wrote you a note by this morning's post. My gown 

 was not among the number thrown down for the Queen to walk upon and caught up 

 before the maids of honor (bless their pretty feet) could do so, as I had no inclination to 

 assimilate my loyalty to that of the Aldermen of Southampton. 



Goodbye, Your affectionate son, 



FRAS. GALTON. 



The postscript of this letter contains a long description with 

 sketches of " the jolliest dodge imaginable to supersede the old plan 

 of holting the left door into which the right door locks " of any 

 two-door cupboard. The contrivance is one in which the shutting of 

 the right door automatically fastens the left. 



In November Galton found that he would have to stay in Cam- 

 bridge till June to complete his medical work. He proposes to go 

 to St George's Hospital to complete his medical education. He con- 

 siders that London would be the best place after leaving Cambridge 

 and before the winter medical session begins he could learn Botany 

 and Materia Medica, together with some degree of hospital practice. 

 " If not, I could dissect in Paris, though, after all, minute anatomy is 

 really useless to a practitioner who does not operate, and I think 

 I know quite enough of general anatomy." He thinks of taking rooms 

 in King's College as more suited to a medical student than lodgings. 

 A letter without date of January 1844 contains on the first page a 

 sketch of a handsome young bachelor. 



MY DEAR FATHER, 



Your affectionate son is B.A., the ceremony having taken place this morning 

 and I now wear a flowing gown with ribbons hung in front over either arm. I send 

 you a list. I am 44 th at which I highly pride myself, the Classics being below par 

 and Medicine etc. only allowed me a month to get my subjects up. I was third in 

 Mathematics but would have been first only for a misunderstanding in one question 

 which lost me fifteen marks. The place however in the Poll signifies nothing. 



I see Hopkins occasionally who often asks me out; he has asked me to dinner 

 tonight and again on Tuesday night. 



Thank you very much about the carriage to the Stratford ball. It will be most 

 convenient and capital for me. Please tell Emma that I fear my Schiller will not do 

 for her on account of the type, besides I think that I had rather keep it. Tell her I 

 was much obliged for her remembering my offer of selling it. 



Your affectionate son, FRAS. GALTON. 



