Characterisation, especially by Letters 575 



Bridge End, Ockham, Surrey. August 12 (St Grouse of the Philistines), 1906. 



Dearest Milly, The four letters which I return are like the opening of an Etruscan tomb, 

 where all the contents appear just as they were deposited 2000 and more years back. How 

 human we all are ! I can quite understand your having felt just the same about your child and 

 grandchildren as your mother did about me. Erasmus might, or might not, greatly like to see 

 his own letter and others about Loxton. I have to write to him, and will mention their 

 existence, especially that of July 19, 1839, so he can apply to you if he wishes. I recollect so 

 clearly coming home — to Leamington — in 1840, and my sisters all in mourning array for my 

 grandfather ; Eva's gretit-grent-grandiaihev. It is pleasant to read of the strong affection that 

 your mother then had — even at that early date, I mean — for Aunt Brewin, or Aunt Sophia as 

 she then was. We were rated by outsiders as a most united family and the letters show that 

 we were so then. But after my Father's death the hoops that bound together the staves of the 

 family cask seem to have given way, and with independence we mostly flew off in different 

 directions. What good paper and ink they used in 1839-40. It is the bleaching and the 

 shoddy (short fibres) and other material than linen, that cause modern paper to be so weak 

 and perishable. But it is marvellously cheap. I suppose that paper is " pulped " over and over 

 again until it serves no other purpose than to give bulk. The strength, such as it is, being due 

 to a scanty intermixture of proper fibre. It is worth while to scrutinise paper through a 

 strong lens and to notice its curious structure. I have been busy with my machine, out of 

 doors, I sitting under an awning and the machine projecting out into the open, and now that 

 I can test the plan experimentally and for the first time with proper appliances, am more doubt- 

 ful than ever as to its real usefulness. But there are still some tests to be applied and some 

 variations of method. 



Yes, this August is a sad month to me, or rather a month that brings sad and solemn 

 recollections. Dear Emma, I feel the want of her more and more, but she fully lived out her 

 life. There were grounds for fear that her faculties would noticeably weaken before long. 

 There is a Greek phrase, I think, "he was still young and his tomb was not yet in sight.'' In 

 my fancies, I don't see a tomb but a greenery with some cypresses in it showing over a bit of 

 old brick wall on a hill about a mile off, where the peaceable cemetery lies. There are many 

 small, nice, old-fashioned churches hereabouts and, as Sir Lucius O'Trigger expressed himself, 

 nice quiet lying in the attached churchyards. We feel much at home here, having made many 

 friends last year. The weather continues lovely — no rain ; the trees don't show the want of it, 

 though the gardens do. Your rain is wanted here by the farmers. Best loves. 



Ever affectionately, Francis Galton. 



Try to excuse smears and blots. 



Lucy Cameron Galton comes here next Saturday for a week. I much look forward to going 

 to you on or about September 4. We leave this on Thursday, August 30, thence to town to 

 refit and to settle matters, and I should be free to come to you on September 3 or 4 (Monday 

 or Tuesday). Please let the exact date stand over for a bit. (You must of course consider 

 your own convenience first.) 



Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Ryde, I. of W. August 14, 1906. 



My dear Frank, Our friend Collins is quite wrong about the compass points as used by 

 en. No sailor would dream of saying N.N. West by West half North ; he would say N.N. 

 West half West. No doubt Collins had picked the term up among yachtsmen, who do make 

 ridiculous mistakes among themselves, and there is no one to correct them. In mercy to 

 Collins pray tell him. Many thanks about sister Allele's letter and F. Miller's address. I am 

 glad you like your quarters so well. What a cheerful companion Jenny would make for me; 

 how we would converse and understand each other — like yourself and the camel did some 

 40 years since at the Zoo, when the camel flopped down on its knees and toppled over a lot 

 of children and two ancient parties. I simply made a run for it — yourself ditto. 



I get afloat in steamers often, but not in sailing vessels. How curious it is how people keep 

 on using old terms, nou meaningless. The newspapers and others constantly say such and such 

 a company's steamers Sail on such a day in place of saying Leave. They carry no sails and have 

 no masts except for signal uses. 



I am as well as possible, but the toss by a cow three years since has spoilt my walking 

 powers and my sea legs. Rver very affectionately yours, Eras. Galton. 



P.S. Kindest remembrances to Eva. 



