Characterisation, especially by Letters 527 



Collins's revision of my paper. No boy's exercise at school could be more scrawled over. But 

 some of his suggestions are good. As soon as I have finished this letter, I will take it finally 

 in hand and post it to the printer. 



If you care for a bit of pumice-stone you shall have some. All good pumice-stone comes 

 from Lipari. There is a white mountain wholly composed of it, and convicts cut galleries into 

 its sides to get at the choicest bits. Kindest remembrances to Mrs Weldon and to the Pearsons. 



Ever sincerely yours, Francis Galton. 



Alas! since writing this he has gone to bed with a temperature of 101. I think he won't 

 go to Leamington to-morrow. It is, O, so cold — with snow in the wind. (E. B.)* 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. June 20, 1904. 



Dear Mrs Hertz, You ask me a difficult question about probable purchasers of Roger 

 Bacon's Magnum Opus. The combination of scientific tastes, history of science tastes, 

 purchasing power, and possession of library room, is rare. I have from time to time thought 

 who might be suggested, but always in vain, so much so that I do' not venture to send even 

 the five least unlikely names. The book seems to be more suitable to a public library than to 

 any but a few very exceptional book collectors. I am ashamed of being so helpless. The 

 physically scientific peers and baronets, who are Fellows of the Royal Society or of other 

 societies, might be circularised, but from what I know of them I should doubt much success. 

 It is too archaic a book for their wants, and they are hard pressed to keep their knowledge up 

 to date. Very faithfully yours, Francis Galton. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. July 5, 1904. 



Dearest Emma, You may like to have an authentic copy of my " Eugenic " lecture. I have 

 just received the usual few advance " Author's copies." The lecture and the long (wishy- 

 washy) discussion upon it, will be published in due time by the Sociological Society. It is well 

 printed, anyhow.... Ever affectionately, Francis Galton. 



Malthouse, Bibury, Fairford. Friday, August 25, 1904. 



My dear Be&SY, Your letter was very welcome, T feared you might not have shaken off 

 the illness. Milly and I have been corresponding about the inscription for dear Emma's 

 grave f. I enclose two, marked (A) and (B). The (A) was the one to which her letter refers, 

 I have just written out the shorter form (B) to see how it looks, but I prefer the (A) as being 

 more interesting to the reader. How do you like the wordsl We have made many trials. 

 You will see Millv's approval in her letter enclosed where I have marked the passage. Of course 

 the proportions would have to be carefully attended to. Would you care to leave the matter 

 at first quite in my hands, as Edward was disposed to do? If so, I will take much care to get 

 a really good design that in respect to appearance shall be as nice and simple as possible, and 

 I should be truly gratified if I might be allowed to defray the entire cost, in case my proposal 

 should in the end he accepted. To get the nicest and simplest result one must consult persons 

 of real taste. Very little changes of proportion make vast differences in effect. Then the 

 material has to be considered ; but I will not say more now, beyond that I wish to do every- 

 thing with all the best advice I can get, and that 1 see my way to get it. 



We went to the Cameron Qaltons to tea. It is a curious place, very large in some respects, 

 greatly cramped in others. The surroundings are mean, the gardens are very extensive, and 

 the place is curiously rambling. Its history accounts for it, it was in part a wool-merchant's 

 store, mid that part has been pulled down by previous owners and its place otherwise utilised. 

 My map (see p ~vl*) is 1 fear very incorrect. The house; has excellent rooms, but the place 

 gave me the idea that two persons could not pervade it; it has, however, great capabilities and 

 I date say they will settle happily. I hope Edward enjoyed Loxton J. I go there to-morrow (and 

 return here on Tuesday evening). Eva then goes to Adele Bree and returns also on Tuesday. We 

 made an expedition yesterday to join our two Professors at tea in a country town. I drove, they 



* Postscript by Gal ton's great-niece, Eva Biggs. 



f Galton's sister Emma died in 1904. 



} Loxton, the quaint home of Erasmus Galton: see our Vol. I, Plate XXIX. 



