4") -2 Life and Letters of Francis Galton 



•Sowed to sit up after bed time, only for a little time, as I have not 20 minutes to myself at 

 any other time. Good bye and believe me ever your brother, F. Galton. P.S. I have lately got 

 another hand in writing as I find I can do it much quicker. Give my love to all. I am very 

 well, indeed much better. Mrs Ridges is an odd craft. I like Dr J. very much, we always 

 touch our hats to him. They say that the P.S. is the most important part of a letter, at least 

 it is here for I just want somebody to remember that Monday 16th is my birthday, a little 

 grubbing is very accepttible [sic] here. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. June 2, 1906. 



My dear Lucy*, The letter, which I return as you wish, is an amusing reminder. I see it 

 was written according to the post mark in IS.iS, and according 

 to its contents on Feb. 12th, and from Dr Jeune's School. His 

 house, where I and a dozen other boarders lived, was at the 

 Five- Ways, Edgbaston. Its garden (a rather large one) is wedge- 

 shaped and its wall forms the angle of one of the 5 blocks. It 

 was a daily walk of one mile, to and fro from the Free School 

 as it was then called. It is now commonly called King Edward's 



School. The present buildings did not then exist but the school was held where the Theatre 

 is, in a big room just opposite to Bennet's Hill and in New Street. 



I had quite forgotten the incident about X. He was such an ass, and was a butt of ridicule. 

 But he improved as he grew older and when he had married. 



The letter testifies to the influence of your Mother over my social and historical creeds. 

 I wonder where I got the nautical language from. Mrs Ridges was the housekeeper, a good 

 and kind-hearted old soul with peculiarities, some of which struck us as funny. 



I am getting well of a sharp sort of feverish attack which kept me from going to Claverdon 

 last Monday, and at the last moment. The Doctor was peremptory and I felt myself fit for 

 nothing but bed. So we telegraphed, and to bed I went, and was rather bad for a time. We 

 look forward much to seeing you. Affectionately yours, Francis Galton. 



This pen scratches abominably. Heartiest congratulations on your embroideries. 



Birmingham Hospital. August 16, 1839. 



Dear Bessy, Beg pardon, full of 'trition — May go of course — took that for granted before 

 asking — thought you did ditto. Ready on Monday, the 2nd (I think). Hodgson was most 

 amiable — thought it would do me good. Uncommon clever man to have found that 'ere out. 

 Tell the Governor that I have got to be examined before I can enter at Cambridge by a Trinity 

 M. A., but Lea is out, so that won't do. However as there is nothing like two strings to one's bow 

 I have got both Mr Gedge and Dr J. Johnstone, separately and individually, to promise to get 

 me examined at the time of the Association. I should have written before, only I thought that 

 I could have been examined here by any Cambridge M. A., but I was dished. Poor old Mr Corrie 

 died suddenly this morning — Hodgson told me so. 



Now then about our travelling. First comes the Tin. I propose that you carry the fund, and 

 give me some sum, say £2, every morning, and every evening balance accounts, thus making 

 you the banker and me the paymaster. The route I leave to your "superior judgement." I will 

 come to Leamington on the Saturday before our departure and go with you to Coventry on 

 Monday morning. Please write to me pretty soon about your arrangements. 



Bye the bye how often on an average daily are we expected to cry over the different affecting 

 places, because it will make a considerable difference in the number of my pocket handkerchiefs. 

 I must however give warning that when I come to Leamington neither Mamma, Emma, nor 

 Stone are in any way to help, alias incommode, me in my packing up — neither are they to 

 inspect nor give their judgement thereupon without, of course, my sovereign will and pleasure. 

 I have got nothing else to say. Bye Bye, loves right and left, Fras. Galton. 



* Lucy was Mrs Studdy, the daughter of Mrs Wheler (Sister Bessie). She obtained prizes 

 for her very beautiful embroidery. 



