336 Li/c and Letters of Francis Galton 



In a note on the "Physical Powers" he suggests takuig three weights 

 A, B, Cof definite and increasing heaviness ana noting how many fail to lift 

 each, and so ranking the conuuunity. He suggests similar tests tor running 

 the same distance in specified times and for running three distances in a 

 specified time, etc., etc. He says that such methods 



"afforrl a complete and approximately correct picture of the distribution of the qualities tested, 

 and not merely general averages."' (p. 41.) 



There is also in this edition a note on testing sight (pp. 43-4). The distance 

 at which the tested can distinguish between two white squares on a black 

 ground, one with the side and the other with the diagonal vertical, is recorded 

 and used ns a nieasure of acuity of vision. 



"The t^fstinjr must l)e performed when the li^ht is perfectly good, hut not da/.zling. 

 Always test yourself when you are testing others, liecjiuse if your own elficiency conies up to 

 its normal Ktandarii, it is fair evidence that the conditions of light etc. are normal also, other- 

 wise very prol)ably they are not." 



Like Darwin's contribution, Galton 's were "revised" in later editions, and 

 ultin)ately they disiippeared, perhaps desirably as they had lieen deprived of 

 any characteristic value. 



Galtons anthro}X)metric projects were, however, far from l>eing confined 

 to travellers; he had much more comprehensive schemes in view. One of his 

 earliest propo-sals was the establishment of anthropometric laboratories in 

 schools', but here again he e.\hil)ited at first only the thinnest end of the 

 wedge. He had realised that statistical material for such fundamental 

 characters as height and weight did not exist for the Britrish jieople. 



"We do not know whether the general physique of the nation remains year afU-r year at 

 the same level, or whether it is distinctly deteriorating or advancing in any respects. Still less 

 are we able to ascertain how wo stand at tliis moment in eonijmrison with other nations, 

 because the necessary statistical facts are, speaking generally, as deficient with them as with 

 ourselves." (p. 308.) 



Galton's |)roposal was to take samples of reasonably homogeneous classes, 

 and then by aid of the census to combine the returns in the proper propor- 

 tions. He considered that homogeneous grf»ups of Iwys, girls and youths 

 already existed in several large schools, under conditions which offered extra- 

 ordinary facilities for obtaining anthropometric data. He proposed to measure 

 children in the grejit pviblic schools, middle class schools and others down to 

 those for pauper children (p. .Sll). Galton held that the mastera in such 

 scliools were " trustworthy and intelligent in no common degree," that they 

 knew their pupils well, and that the general organisation and discipline of the 

 school was favourable to collecting full and iiccurate statistics. He believed 

 that the school authorities might be induced in not a few instances to 

 cnopenite he<artily and with great intelligence. Once the system of anthro- 

 pometric measuiement was established in schools it would .sprciul elsewhere. 



"The boys when they grow up into men would retain favourable recollections of the whole 

 procedure, and application might then he made to Universities, Factoricis, and other large 

 ixxlies of adults, with great<T prolwibility than at j)resent of obtaining the required information.'' 

 (p. 309.) 



' "Proposal to apply for Anthropological .Statistics from Schools," Journal of thf Aiithropo- 

 lofficai ItuUluU, Vol. ni, pp. 308-11, 1874. Paper read in 1873, proposals drafted 1872. 



