Lehrjahre and Wanderjalire 113 



moustacliios, evidently part and parcel of Capt. Sayers. However nobody spoke a word 

 and I fell fast asleep as usual, but before arriving at Coventry we found out that we 

 each had to wait till ^ past 12 for trains, he for tiie Birmingham and myself for the 

 London train. So there being no cofl'ee room we took the same sitting room and chatted 

 away, balls, etc., etc., he complimented yours very much. He is a great African 

 traveller ; wears a beard, which he showed me, down to his waist and which he hides 

 under his shirt and stock and sports it in travelling and in fancy dress balls. He 

 showed me how to make a turban of my plaid, etc., etc., and was most agreeable. 



Set off for London at 12|. Got there 5| — Victoria Hotel — and am now at 

 Partridge's. 



Good bye. Loves, etc., Fras. Galton. 



Writing on the 12th of January to his father, Francis says : 



"I cannot say that I agree in what Hodgson says', but as I have written so often 

 to you on this subject, giving my own reasons and those of others upon the question, 

 it is scarcely necessary to repeat them. I will work like a trooper whilst I am here, 

 and when T get to Cambridge and to Mathematics, which for the last three or four 

 years it has been my principal wish to study, I am confident that I shall not 

 lose time. 



Please thank Mater for sending my coat. Tell Pemmy that I thought of her 

 and the balls on Wednesday and Saturday." 



On January 2 1 Francis reports to his father the loss of his purse : 



" I am as angry with myself as possible ; the only thing that consoles me is that 

 everybody is served out similarly, even you, e.g. your gold watch at the Spread Eagle. 

 Catch me putting anything above 5 shillings in my coat tail pocket again. Hang the 

 rascals. I shall have to pay Cartwright's bill for a great coat and frock coat which 

 I ordered from Leamington and which together will be about £11. So could you send 

 me another cheque which I will take the same care of as a passport in Austria. 



Everything else going on prosperously. I have just received your letter, and will 

 certainly call on Lizzie Forster- as soon as I easily can (this week or so). Your Sliding 

 Rule is in continual use. Thank you very much for writing for my rooms at Cam- 

 bridge " 



The next letter is written three days later : 

 My dear Governor, 



Hurrah ! not been pickpocketted after all. Purse and Door key slipped 

 through a hole in pocket of my old Reading Coat into the lining, where I found them 

 last night. I expect a regular good rowing blowing-up letter from you to cross this 

 on the road, which will do me lots of good. 



Tar, Tar. Fras. Galton. 



Thanks innumerable to Delly for cardcase. 



' Presumably Hodgson was not in favour of the mathematical interlude in a 

 medical career. 



' Lizzie Forster was the Quaker lady who had been housekeeper at Duddeston after 

 the death of Mrs Samuel Galton (Lucy Barclay). 



p. o. 15 



