458 



Life and Letters of Francis Galton 



It is difficult now to determine exactly what the temperatures signify ; 

 presumably the fall in temperature of the teapot in the intervening number 

 of minutes ; a plus sign seems to denote a tilling up or repeated experiment, 

 while j| signifies second cup. By the middle of March the' record is syste- 

 matised, but more cabbalistic : 



1st cup 2nd cup 



March 13 



March 16 



Gc . Be 



About March 27 the experiments appear to have been discontinued, but 

 were started afresh in November of the same year. Presumably the same 

 tea was used throughout. But no conclusions are drawn, and we are left in 

 doubt as to the meaning of the values recorded. We are not left in doubt 

 as to Galton's taste for a very strong cup. "Quite good, I think it would 

 bear strengthening. L. G. says not." "Admirable, strong and fresh and pure 

 (there was plenty of tea put in), excellent." There is evidence that visitors 

 were occasionally present during these experiments, and the mistress of the 

 house must have had some difficulties when the tea was weighed out and 

 the thermometer popped in and out of the teapot. 



I have not cited these experiments for any result that flowed, or indeed 

 was likely to flow, from them, but solely to indicate how strong was Galton's 

 passion for measurement, and that, already in 1859, he was giving full play 

 to his statistical tastes. These teapot data are indeed the "Puffing Billy" 

 stage of Galton's statistical career ! 



Cambridge. August 3, 1863. 



My dear Galton, In consequence of Phillips's* retirement from the Office of General 

 Secretary, which he has held temporarily for the last year, a Committee was recently appointed 

 by the Council of the Brit. Assoc, to recommend a successor to the Office. According to the 

 general rule of the Association there ought, as you are probably aware, to be two General 

 Secretaries, and one paid Assistant Secretary. Now Mr Griffith of Jesus Coll. Oxford, has 

 succeeded Phillips in that office, and during the past year Phillips has nominally held the office 

 of one of the General Secretaries in consequence of my illness last autumn. The purpose at 

 present is to elect a second permanent General Secretary as my coadjutor, Griffith taking the 

 labouring oar as Phillips had clone before him. Now comes the question — Will you accept the 

 office if offered to you? The Committee are Sir R. Murchison, Sabine, Vernon-Harcourt, Phillips 

 and myself, and I think I may venture to say that in proposing you there will be no dissentient 

 voice. The Office is a very pleasant and gentlemanly one, requiring of course attention and 

 courtesy, without much time or trouble. On account of my absence last year Phillips will act 

 with me at Newcastle this year. After that he will retire entirely, but I am now getting pretty 

 au fait at the work, and should of course take it as much as might be necessary on myself till 

 my future coadjutor should have gained the requisite experience. I need scarcely say, I hope, 

 how much I should rejoice if you could be installed as my partner. 



Believe me, Yours very truly, W. Hopkins t- 



* Professor John Phillips, the geologist. He was Assistant Secretary of the British 

 Association, 1832-1859. 



f Galton's instructor in mathematics, the famous Cambridge Coach. 



