404 Life and Letters of Francis (1 alt on 



at the time and we are in consequence unable to offer hospitality. You have however many 

 friends in Oxford, and there will be, I know, no difficulty in this matter. I can say nothing 

 more until in accordance with our standing orders your acceptance has been ratified in council. 



Believe me, Yours very truly, Bartholomew Price. 



The sole statements I have found about the conferment of the Oxford 

 degree are the following: 



Sophy Bree* reported on June 21, 1894: 



The candidates for D.C.L. all followed up in their turn. Uncle Prank came last. He was very 

 much clapped and then the R.P.C.L. (Professor Goudy) stated that Mr Galton was a cousin of the 

 celebrated Charles Darwin (shouts and claps), while still a young man he made a long and dan- 

 gerous journey of exploration up the White Nile and afterwards undertook a similar expedition 

 in Southern Africa, obtaining the medal of the Royal Geographical Society in respect of the 

 latter journey. He was also described as a distinguished meteorologist and anthropologist. In 

 recent years he had devoted his attention to the study of natural selection and the descent of 

 man — having propounded a theory of heredity which is now becoming recognised as of the first 

 importance. All that of course was in Latin. The newly made D.C.L. 's were in their Doctor 

 of Law gowns. After that the Public Orator made his Oration in Latin. 



And again: 



"At the dinner," Frank said, " Lord Rosebery made an effective speech. Lord Justice Fry, 

 having to return thanks for the new Doctors, was funny about my composite portraits." L. G. 



The degree was conferred at the same time on the Earl of Kimberley, 

 Bishop Mandell Creighton, Sir Horace Davey, Sir Edward Fry (Galton's old 

 foe : see above, p. 122), Captain Mahan of the U.S. Navy, Emile Boutiny, Prof. 

 Mendeleef, Prof W. M. Ramsay the archaeologist, John Henry Middleton 

 and the Latin scholar Arthur Palmer, an all-round noteworthy batch. 



The Oxford Gazette contains no report of the speeches. 



The Cambridge Honorary Degree. 



(From Trinity Lodge, Cambridoe.) 

 42, Rutland Gate, S.W. May 16, 1895. 

 Dearest Emma, The ceremony went off this afternoon and Grace, who was there, will 

 I daresay write about it. The Public Orator made some amusing hits in his speech. He will send 

 me printed copies (2 or 3) in Latin, which I daresay Archdeacon Bree, or some other friend, will 

 translate to you. It was all very nice — quite a quiet ceremony and several old friends present. 

 We are on the point of returning to London after a very pleasant stay at this most hospit- 

 able house. Excuse more now. Bessy will be on her way to Alnwick t, so I send no message 

 to her. Ever affectionately yours, Francis Galton. 



Frank bore his part bravely and looked very well, the red gown very hecoming. It is so cold 

 to-day, I hope Bessy will not suffer on her journey. 



Much love, Ever affectionately, L. Galton. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. May 21, 1895. 

 Dearest Emma, Here is a copy of the speech in the Senate House, of which the Public 

 Orator has sent me a dozen. One is being forwarded to Archdeacon Bree — the ingenious 

 Latinity of it will amuse him — and I said that when he next happened to be with you in Leam- 

 ington you would probably be glad if he translated it to you. I will send a copy to Bessy also, 

 very likely she will soon come across a translator. 



Ever affectionately yours, Francis Galton. 



* Sophy Adele, a daughter of Lucy Amelia Moilliet and therefore Galton's great-niece ; she 

 is sister of Lucy Evelyne Biggs, Galton's companion in later years, and married the Ven. William 

 Bree, Archdeacon of Coventry and Rector of Allesley. 



f At that time the home of her son, Edward Galton Wheler (later Wheler-Galton), now 

 of Claverdon Leys. 



