550 Life and Letters of Francis Galton 



dog and the looking-glass. Probably the little creature was terrified because the reflection did 

 not smrll. We shall be very sorry to leave; the people about are very nice and sociable and the 

 quiet country is delightful. My little book is as troublesome as an ague, I thought it was oil' 

 my hands but it has bothered me up to this instant, when I sealed up the MS. in a packet to 

 go by post to Murray. And still there are odds and ends left and revises to come, etc., etc. But 

 it is comparatively calm now. And it is such a small book after all. My friend F. H. Collins, 

 who is a prince among proof correctors but cannot now leave his arm-chair, has been giving all 

 his working time last week to putting Schuster's contribution into better shape. The material 

 was good but the arrangement too higgledy-piggledy. I started winter underclothing this 

 morning. Among the people we have met is that wonderful Arab-horsey lady, Lady Anne 

 Blunt. She had a great deal to tell. She and her husband go to Arabia to buy horses. She lives 

 by the Tombs of the Kings near Cairo where a stud is kept, and they have annual sales in England. 

 She is apt to appear in marvellous dresses, of some outlandish cut and colour, not necessarily 

 Arab. She came out on one occasion in bright scarlet from top to bottom, as I heard. She is 

 grand-daughter of Lord Byron, so may do mad things with propriety. Best loves. 



Ever affectionately, Francis Galton. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. October 27, 1905. 



Dear Mr Constable, I am flattered that you have thought my book worthy of attack, 

 hip and thigh. You have chipped off many bits of paint but I am so incurably self-conceited 

 that I do not yet feel any timber to be shaken. If I were to reply in print I should fix on the 

 second paragraph of p. 138 and follow out the conclusions to which it leads. 



You will be scandalised at a forthcoming volume, Noteworthy Families {Modern Science), but 

 if you see it, I think you will find the Chapter on " Success as a Statistical Measure of Ability " 

 worth reading. Now I not only take your scourging with a smiling face but have the impudence 

 to ask if you could get the enclosed forms suitably filled up for me? If you do, the reply will 

 probably arrive after I have left London (for Pau) for the winter. Therefore the address at the 

 bottom of the Circular is the best to use. Faithfully yours, Francis Galton. 



I send this via your publisher, being not sure of your present address. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. October 28, 1905. 



My dear Bessy, I more than fear that it would be very unwise for me to yield to the 

 pleasure and wish of seeing you, before we start for Pau next Thursday. I had a sharp attack 

 of shivering on Wednesday morning, and the doctor sent me to bed on fever diet all Thursday ; 

 yesterday the fever went, and to-day I may get downstairs a little while. He says I ought 

 to be fit to start next Thursday, and the sooner I get away the better. So I must reserve 

 every ounce of strength for the longish journey, and fear much that a long day to and from 

 Leamington beforehand is more than I can stand. As soon as I cross the channel, as a rule, 

 1 feel better in breathing and general fitness. I am very sorry indeed. I wanted so much to 

 see you and Erasmus before these many months of banishment. Louisa* will write her views 

 and she must represent me in person. 



You always take such interest in family matters, such as mine, that I send you a letter just 

 received from the Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. It is about a copy of the portrait 

 which Charles Furse painted of me. I heard unofficially that the Fellows of the College would be 

 very glad to have one, so I got an excellent copy of it made by Frank Carter, and sent it with 

 a suitable letter. You will see that they accept it both warmly and gratefully. It will be hung 

 according to the recommendation of their " Memorials Committee," probably in the Great Hall 

 alongside of many far more distinguished worthies. Anyhow, as a picture it would hold its own in 

 any collection. Don't destroy the letter. It ought to be preserved somewhere. If it can be copied 

 and returned it would be a good plan. I am very sorry that the rheumatism continues. Your 

 news of Lucy and the Colonel is not quite as good as we could wish. You will have been hearing 

 much of Lord Leigh's funeral. The death of a foremost man in a county must leave a large 

 void for a time. Before we go, I shall certainly write again and send my address, which cannot 

 be fixed until the reply of an hotel-keeper to my note arrives. It is due this evening or Monday 

 morning. Ever very affectionately, Francis Galton. 



* I believe this is a slip for Eva, Galton's great-niece and comrade. He used by accidental 

 habit the name of his dead wife. See the following letter. 



