Characterisation, especially by Letters 569 



suffering from incipient pneumonia. He became rapidly worse and was put by friends in a nursing- 

 home, his wife having no previous idea of it, and being then happy with the Pearsons, and he 

 was dead in a few hours, his wife reaching him while he was still conscious but very ill indeed. 

 He was one of the strongest of men constitutionally, but took liberties with his strength. It has 

 cast a gloom over this house. We go to Lucy Studdy to-morrow, Wednesday, and the plans are 

 to stay there over Friday night and to go to Claverdon Leys from Saturday to the ensuing 

 Thursday. The next Saturday— Monday I go to the Frank Butlers who have a charming little 

 house at Witham. He is now full Inspector of Schools and will probably before long be pro- 

 moted to London work. One effect of the tire at St Jean de Luz has been to show how much 

 fatter I have grown of late years. Certain clothes, left in my wardrobe of recent years, have 

 l>een tried on and found too tight, and are being sent to the tailors to alter up to date. I heard 

 of a man who said to his tailor, "I am now forty and never had occasion to be re-measured liy 

 you." The tailor smiled and said, "We generally ease the fit a little when our customers seem 

 growing stout, without troubling them about it." I can't now take enough exercise to keep 

 muscles fit; it is no good trying. It only fatigues and I have capital digestive health as it is. 

 Chamberlain never takes exercise, neither did the late Lord Salisbury. I have now got back 

 with proper appliances to my "Resemblance," but am less confident than I was of getting useful 

 results ; the theory is all right, which is something though not enough. You will have enjoyed 

 this weather. I hope that Dartmoor won't be set alight. Many moors are burning, I see. We 

 have had long sits in the Park, which is growing beautiful. Dear old England. She Ms merits. 

 Best loves. Ever affectionately yours, Francis Galton. 



Claverdon Leys, Warwick. Saturday, April 21, 1906. 

 (I go to Rutland Gate on Thursday.) 



Dearest Milly, On arriving here about lunch-time I found your letter. Guy's chill, Amy's 

 influenza, and the combined want of Cook and Parlour-Maid are a large tale of mishaps. The 

 bitterly cold weather of the last few days and the blackened moor fill your cup almost to over- 

 flowing. Claverdon gardens and shrubbery are greatly improved. All the former stuffiness from 

 overgrowth of trees is gone without any sign of bareness. The ground too is judiciously levelled 

 here and banked there, so it is becoming both pretty and interesting. Edward and M. L. look 

 very well. The voyage and change of scene had become a necessity, for they were overworked. 

 Lucy and Col. Studdy seemed quite well, though he is not so really, but he mends slowly. Their 

 house is very pretty. Lucy's embroideries, framed and hung on the walls, make a brave show. 

 I read through the typewritten copy of Bessy's memoir, which is very readable by any one and 

 full of interest to her own family. It wants "perspective," treating all occurrences too much 

 on the same scale. We are discussing how to treat it to the best advantage, by adding notes 

 and illustrations, and probably printing it for private circulation. Eva is quite done up, I fear, 

 and tit only for quiet at present. She has Gwen Chafy with her, otherwise the house for the 

 moment is almost shut up. 



The loss of Weldon is a severe one, from many different points of view. I attended the 

 funeral service at Merton College on Wednesday, but the weather was far too bitter for me to 

 go to the Cemetery. All was very sad, and through change of address I am temporarily out of 

 touch with the Pearsons, and through them with Mrs Weldon. His death will modify many of 

 our future plans and movements. It is very sad for us, and almost desolation to the Pearsons. 



I did not l;" yesterday to see Eva's stained window given over to the church at Ettington. 

 It was too cold, but Lucy went and brought back Constance Pearson for the night. I left her 

 with them. What a large scale she is on! I must leave off now as tea is coming in and it is 

 nearly post-time. Very best loves. Ever affectionately, Francis Galton. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. April 28, 1906. 



Dearest Milly, Yes, the window in Ettington new Church was put up by Eva and her 

 brothers and sisters to the memory of their Father, Eva taking all the trouble and bearing 

 nearly all the cost. She has lent Count Russell's book; you shall have it in time. There is 

 little in it bearing on the picturesqueness of the lower heights, but great lamentation over the 

 want of enterprise in not building hotels, etc., upon them, as in Switzerland. I will read the 



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