Childhood and Boyhood 



83 



Bridge, the maids escaping but the butler being injured. The family 

 usually posted, sometimes in their own carriage '. 



It is worth recording that the first mechanical design of Francis 

 that has been preserved dates from July 17, during this Aberystwith 

 stay. It is entitled: "Francis Galton's Aerostatic Project, 17 July, 

 1835." It represents a flying machine with five passengers, a pilot 

 and (?) an engineer. It was apparently designed to work by rather 

 large flapping wings, with a sort of oscillating steam-engine. The 

 mechanism of the flapping indicated in two additional rough sketches 

 is not very clear. I do not know how far it was suggested by his 

 Grandfather Erasmus' lines on air-ships". 



The only record of the autumn of this year is a letter from Dr Jeun^ 

 of August 26, reporting the marked throw-back in Francis' educational 

 progress due to his illness. He reports him, however, in excellent 

 health and spirits with a good appetite, and notes that his vigour 

 in cricket and football promise well for the continuance of his health. 

 From the beginning of 1836, however, we have a small pocket diary. It 

 is fuU of the frank outpourings of a very healthy boy, who has clearly 

 no one to guide his tastes and sympathies. I shall give a few extracts : 



Saturday, Jan. 2. Took Pincher with a cord and Crab and Game a walk. Darwin 



came back from Brum. I went to the Younge's party, pretty good tuck. 

 Monday, Jan. 4. "Went to shoot at Claverdon, killed a partridge. Went to Wood's party. 

 Friday, Jan. 7. Invited to Mrs Proby, did not go. Went hunting, pony fell over me 



and hurt my leg ; they had a run of an hour and 10 minutes. 

 Wednesday, Jan. 13. Thawed. Went to Mr Curtis who gave uie some feathers, and 



taught me a good deal about artificial flie.s. 

 Thursday, Jan. 14. Had a dinner party ; the Dr' came here, much against my liking. 

 Wednesday, Jan. 20. The old Dr went away with Dar to Brum. I walked out with 



Jones to fire my cannon. 



' Earlier when Grandfather Galton took his family to Tenby, in Wales, he used to 

 hire the only two hackney carriages in Birmingham to take part of his party. 

 * " Or on wide-waving wings expanded bear 



The flying-chariot through the fields of air. 



Fair crews triumphant, leaning from above. 



Shall wave their fluttering kerchiefs as they move ; 



Or warrior-bands alarm the gaping crowd, 



And armies shrink beneath the shadowy cloud." 



The Botanic Garden, Canto i, 1. 291. 

 "There seems no probable method of flying conveniently but by steam or some other 

 explosive material, which another half century may probably discover." Note to 1. 254. 

 ' Dr Jeune. 



11—2 



