Lehrjahre and Wanderjahre 127 



will necessarily be much pleased with one of his class, more especially his prizeman, 

 following up so good an opportunity of working at practical chemistry ; he will of 

 course give me introductions to Liebig and will take more interest in me. Liebig's 

 season begins next week and ends Sept. 8th nearly, all which time I shall be with him. 

 My going there will not interfere with my Forensic Medicine Examination. I am sure 

 that it is the best thing that I can do. T shall not gain refinement most certainly — but 

 will have evei-y advantage possible for obtaining Chem. Knowledge, and will return as 

 dirty and as clever as can reasonably be expected. 



Your affectionate Son, 



Fras. Galton. 



Glad very, about asthma. 



In Captain Donellan's case you used to tell a story of a Mr Somebody who lent 

 Capt. Donellan some book or other containing a description of the manufacture of laurel 

 water, this book after the Capt.'s execution was found always to open in the place where 

 the process was described. Please give me the names. 



Attached to the neat account which followed next day, duly 

 headed by the receipt for the last cheque, are a few lines in which 

 Francis states that he should not have time to write to Liebig and 

 wait for an answer, and that if Liebig cannot take him, what is he to 

 do — " Go to Paris or to Switzerland ? " 



The next letter from Spring Gardens acknowledges the receipt 

 of a credit on Barclay and Co. for £100. Hodgson approved of the 

 visit to Liebig. Francis is in his holiday mood : 



July 16, 1840. 



...You enjoin me not to smoke cigars. I will not, but I will buy a meerschaum 

 with a pipe 4 feet and a half long, and with a bowl that will contain an ounce of 

 Tobacco at a time. Shall I get one for you ? 



I have got my money changed into circular notes at Herries, Farquahar & Co. 

 I land at Ostend, railroad Liege, diligence Aix and Cologne, steam Coblenz ; diligence 

 or voiturier, if I must, to Giessen. Doe.s not Bessy return to-day ? How is his worship 

 the farmer at Claverdon getting on ? 



Good bye. Affectionate Son, 



Fkas. Galton. 

 I will write again. Loves and all that sort of thing. 



The last letter from the old environment is written on July 22, 

 just before the start for Giessen : 



Tuesday. 

 My dear Father, 



I am 2nd in Forensic Medicine. There is only 1 prize and so I get a 

 Certificate of Honour. I am much vexed at not being first, but there was more 

 comj)etition than usual. One of the men (I am above him) got a Certificate of Honour 



I 



