Ip 



The Reaioakenlufi : Scientific Exploration 'lAX 



I should very much like to heiir something about your brothers Darwin and 

 Erasmus : I very distinctly remember a pleasant visit at the Larches, Heaven knows, 

 how many years ago, and having many rides with them on ponies, without stirrups. 

 The only member of your family whom I have seen for years, is Emma, who gave 

 myself and wife a very cordial greeting at the British Association at Birmingham, some 

 few years ago. 



T do not know, whether I ought not to apologise for troubling you with this note, 

 but the spirit wliich makes me write, must be my excuse. Pray believe me, 



Yours sincerely, 



C. Darwin. 



In the summer of* 1852 (June 14) Galton wrote a letter to the 

 Royal Geographical Society urging the want of proper instruments for 

 travellers, and we note therein the development of his interest in the 

 study of the art of travel, to which we must return later. But he needed 

 rest and he appears to have suffered from low fever, which was not com- 

 pletely dispelled by a yachting tour with Sir Hyde Parker to Scotland 

 and Norway. The winter was therefore spent at Dover, his mother 

 and si-ster Emma nursing him. Here at a Twelfth Night party in 1853 

 Galton met for the first time Miss Louisa Butler. Early in March 

 Miss Emily Butler writing to her brother A. G. Butler reports that 

 " the lion-killer certainly seems smitten." Galton returned in March 

 and Miss Butler in April to London, where they again met, went 

 togethei- to the Crystal Palace, and returned engaged. On the day — 

 April 27 — of Miss Butler's return to Peterborough, Galton finished his 

 Tropical South AjHca ; three days later the Dean, her father, died 

 suddenly at luncheon, and Francis Galton arrived the same evening to 

 look only on the dead face of the man, who should have welcomed his 

 daughter's future husband. There is little doubt that this sad initiation 

 bound with unusual closeness the links between Galton and his wife's 

 family. 



Only one other characteristic picture of the Galton of these days has 

 reached my hands. It is again in a letter of Miss Emily Butler to her 

 brother of May, 1853. 



■' Mr (talton's book is fery jolly, and gives one a high idea of his resolve and 

 prudence ; the latter quality is so strongly <feveloped that he has to have hats made 

 for him ! He has got such a line medal from the Ji. G. iS. When it was given him, 

 the President said very fine things of him, but regretted that so spirited an adven- 

 turer was going to be spoilt and married. Mr G. says it was very well put or he 

 would hnvv thrown the «lecanter at the worthy President. 



I-. (i. 31 



