Characterisation, especially by Letters 509 



by (seven hours) steamer on Wednesday, and then plans are uncertain for a few days, but we 

 ultimately get from Morocco somehow to Malaga and thence on to Granada, which, as our time- 

 table now stands, we should leave on April 14; but I dare say we may find it wiser to give 

 more time to this forthcoming and most interesting bit of travel. It is perfect English summer 

 here. I began writing this letter at 6 a.m. this morning, with the windows wide open. The sky 

 has been cloudless for many days and we read with wonder about snow, not only with you, but 

 at Nice also. It is a grievous affair about the Earl of Warwick's property. I will give your 

 messages to Eva, but must close now for the post. With best loves to all. 



Ever affectionately yours, Francis Galton. 



Tell me about your own health when you write; please do. 



Address next to: Hotel de Rome, Madrid, Spain, but I shall not get there till about the 

 18th, and propose staying till the 25th, at least. 



Dearest Emma and Bessy, Your joint letters of April 1 reached me to-day at Tangiers, 

 Thursday, April 6th. We were called out of bed yesterday when in Cadiz at 4| a.m. and finally, 

 in such a bustle and clamour, landed here about 2 p.m. ; since when we have been busy 

 sightseeing. It is such a very Oriental-looking town with crowded streets of costumed natives; 

 a most complete change after Spain. We passed Cape Trafalgar, and Eva made sketches as we 

 did so, and has copied and will send herewith one for you, Bessy. What a historical part of 

 the world we are in! Cadiz is a flat Portland Island, connected with the mainland by a long 

 narrow strip of land, corresponding to the Chesil Bank. We had a breezy passage, calm sea at 

 first and then abundance of "white horses." Among other things here, we saw a snake charmer 

 who put out his tongue for the snake to bite, which it did very thoroughly, opening its mouth 

 very wide and fixing on to it. Then he put out his tongue for us to see and sure enough there 

 were the two bleeding punctures made by the two teeth. Then he chewed straw for a while, 

 and putting out his tongue again — hey presto — it was healed. 



I called to-day on the wife of the British Consul, Lady Nicholson, to whom Mrs Robb gave 

 me a letter. He is the son of an old acquaintance of mine, Admiral Sir Frederick N. (no relation 

 of Marianne's*) — such a beautiful situation and gardens. Sir William Dalby, the aurist, turned 

 up to-day, and gave me a full medical account of Douglas's last illness. The details were much as 

 I had heard from Marianne, but he did not think his sufferings had been so terribly great as 

 she seemed to think, when speaking to me about them. He, his son, Eva and I have been to 

 a Moorish coffee-house with singing, and in the middle of our cups were rushed out to see 

 a Moorish bridal procession. The paving of the narrow streets is atrocious, but I have not yet 

 had a tumble. My cough came on a very little in consequence of a draughty railway carriage 

 from Seville, and it was fortunate for me that it did, for I was hesitating about accepting 

 a very flattering invitation to the jubilee in July of a university in America. They wanted me 

 to give three lectures or conferences, said their usual fee was .£100 but begged me if I did not 

 think that enough to ask for more, and assured me of various honours. The writer is a man 

 I highly esteem, he is the President, but I am not strong enough ; my voice might fail and I should 

 disappoint. But I am sorry to refuse, having some new things to say that appear suitable for 

 the occasion. Anyhow I have refused. I must close the letter now for to-morrow morning's 

 post, and send Evelyne's sketch with her best love. The yellow in the sketch seemed to be pure 

 sand. There is of course much more to tell that has interested us greatly, but it is hard to explain 

 briefly. We are both in excellent health. Good- bye, best loves to all. 



Ever affectionately, Francis Galton. 



I am glad, dear Emma, of the fairly good account you give of yourself and hope you are 

 now regularly in Cor spring at last. It is too hot here in the middle of the day for out of doors 

 and we always have taken a long siesta then. It has been a very healthy life. You must not 

 risk measles, though the risk may be very small. 



* Marianne Nicholson, wife of Sir Douglas Galton. 



S 



