Characterisation, especially by Letters 563 



I await with no ordinary anxiety. Another is that I have received a German translation of niy 

 Eugenics papers, printed in a first class periodical, which reads and looks extremely well. My 

 " Resemblance " dodge may turn out very useful in inquiries bearing on Eugenics, for it measures 

 among other things family likenesses, racial likenesses, etc., and is especially adapted to measure 

 those between composite photographs, respectively representing the features of different races. 

 But it has to be criticised, well tried, and then developed. You will have received one picture 

 card from Eva. We are collecting them by degrees, but are far from the parts you are likely 

 to go to. Argeles sounds promising. So Edward and M. L. go on March 1 for a five weeks' 

 cruise. It is sad for Guy not to be with them. But it is rather a blowy and cold time of the 

 \ tar, for Constantinople especially. Still they are sure to have many delightful days and to see 

 delightful places. I wonder if we shall by chance return via the Simplon tunnel when the time 

 comes. I know it is open, but do not know when trains will run. It is however a good deal out 

 of our way. The King of Spain has driven frequently in his motor through St Jean de Luz, 

 waving his handkerchief and looking very happy, as a friend who walked over from there this 

 afternoon told us. Ever very affectionately, Francis Galton. 



[In Evelyne Biggs' handwriting.] 



This is a duck of a place, so very simple and picturesque, and St Jean de Luz being four 

 miles off one can go there for books, shops, etc. The Basque churches are beautiful, quite unique, 

 and the people are very devout, the church here being quite full at every service; every man 

 and boy seem to go. I believe this would be quite cheap in the summer but I will inquire here 

 and at Sarre and all the little places; Argeles would be dear I am sure. How very sad that 

 Guy can't go with the Whelers. I do call it the most disappointing thing. They would all have 

 enjoyed it so. Much love to all from E. Biggs. 



Hotel de la Rhune, Ascain, Basses Pyrenees, France. February 9, 1906. 



My dear Edward, We are staying on at this cosy picturesque inn, for the weather has 

 been too bad of late for gadding about, so the above continues to be my address. 



Thank you much about the things that you have offered me. I endorse the list with a "yes" 

 in pencil on those I would gladly have, my Father's portrait especially. Few relatives now 

 living recollect him, none as I do. The trifles about my own early life I should be glad to keep, 

 with a few others of the same quality that I possess already. 



When you return, the garden and trees will have begun to be green, and vou will appreciate 

 the result of the clearings and improvements. I am so glad you are going, hut it will not be all 

 fair weather. If, when you are at Porto Empedocle, a party is made to go to the town and 

 cathedral of Girgenti, do go with them and manage to hear the wonderful acoustic properties of 

 the building. 



You sit at A where the confessional used to stand (before these properties were discovered) 

 and the slightest whispers are heard by a man at B who stands in a gallery hidden by a perforated 



\ 



" •«- lOO ii.\rds 



X - 



-B 



screen of wood and who repeats them. Eva and I sat on the same bench placed for the pur- 

 pose. She whispered numerals "venti tre," etc., so low that I myself, through my deafness, 

 could not properly hear them, and back came the loud repetition from the man at B. 



The feature of this hotel is a pet wild boar, 10 months old, with formidable tusks already, 

 lb- is kept in a pen and allowed an occasional run and frolic with friendly dogs. It is very 

 funny to watch his short gallops, sadden stops and twists, but above all to see the instinctive 

 way in which he twists his head as though to strike upwards with his tusk. I don't feel quite 

 easy when the animal runs to or past me, for he is as high as my knee and could do mischief. 



71—2 



