Characterisation, especially by Letters 581 



Poor Milly Letli bridge has had nearly a fortnight in bed witli influenza; Dim* was again 

 sent to bed, I hope only for a short time. Their principal maid has been quite ill, etc., and is 

 gone away for a while to get strong again. I expect Eva back to-morrow, but have urged her 

 to stay on, if good for her head. 



This is a season of sad recollections for you. I can hardly think that it is only one year 

 since your Mother's death. Best love to M. L. Tell her that I have learnt one good cooking 

 receipt — viz. not to serve Whitings boiled with their tails through their eyes, but to spitchcock, 

 take out their bones, and fry them. They are quite good eating in this way. Very like soles 

 and, if possible, better. Ever affectionately, Francis Galton. 



3, Hoe Park Terrace, Plymouth. February 4, 1907. 



My dear Edward, What an escape! Don't let the Egyptian sun get into the head, which 

 may be tender for a while. I hope you will be able to go, and to enjoy and learn. Also that 

 you may not get too much of the March Khamsin hot winds. "Khamsin" means "50," = the 

 number of days during which that sometimes detestable wind is apt to blow. Thank you for 

 the newspaper slip which seems to give a fair account so far as it goes. 



The news that compound drenches are being well tried is good. In some future time, babies 

 will undergo "suction" at the same time as their baptism, to preserve them from all microbic 

 ills, and will repeat the same at about the age of confirmation. 



I am just now at some statistics that might interest you. They are those of a weight-judging 

 competition of the West of England Agricultural Society — 800 returns. They show the sort 

 of value possessed by the Vox Populi. The distribution of error is curious. Half of those who 

 judged below the average of the whole lot were more than 46 lbs. lower than that average; 

 on the other hand, half of those who judged above the average were more than 28 lbs. above it. 

 So the distribution of error is skew. Why it is so, and what the correction should be for skew- 

 licss, T cannot yet make out, but am busy at it. The average was 11 lbs. wrong. 



My "Eugenics" has started on a revised scheme very hopefully. The laboratory is now 

 attached to Karl Pearson's department in University College, and will be well looked after by 

 him and become in all probability important. The staff consists of a Fellow, a Scholar and a 

 Computer, and all statistical work will be rigorous and of the most recent kind. It, in fact, 

 constitutes a new department of Professor K. Pearson's excellent Biometric Laboratory. 



All goes on here comfortably though rather monotonously. Presumably you will start (if 

 you go) for Egypt from here. It would be nice if you were to stop a night or so at Plymouth 

 en route, but I am sure that you are unlikely to spare time for the purpose. Pray tell me the 

 date of your start that Eva may have a chance of accompanying you on board. / am wholly 

 confined to the house for most days. I expect Eva to go away (for a week) and Milly to take 

 her place, on the 14th. Best love to M. L. Ever affectionately, Francis Galton. 



Archdeacon Bree was very much better two days ago, and out of danger (at Bournemouth). 

 Edward Lethbridge's girl has been very dangerously ill with typhoid. The last news is 

 cheerful. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. March 30, 1907. 

 1 )k .\ it est Milly, Being alone, I was doubly glad of your letter. Karl Pearson simultaneously 

 sent me a copy of the paper. Seabrooke has written to me, with an added postscript from Eva, 

 to say that a longer letter from her is coming. Probably it will not arrive till after the last 

 outgoing post of to-day. All seems going mi favourably, but to what end who can foretell? 

 Pace to face as I now am with solitariness, it seems more endurable, even during illness, than 

 I had feared, so long as servants work happily together. Also it draws me back to old friends, 

 which is a moral gain. I have been busy with an old method of mine, adopted only at long 

 intervals, of stock-taking of my own character, and grieve to find it has somewhat deteriorated 

 in two particulars. The process may interest you, and if on this occasion I can elaborate it 

 further, it may be worth publishing. Its essence is (1) to catch oneself unawares and to consider 

 carefully the thoughts and moods that were at that moment in the mind, and (2) to note 

 them. The (1) is not difficult at first, but after a while it becomes very difficult without 

 independent aid such as a person calling out or a machine striking. (2) requires a good deal 



* Pet-name of Miss Amy Lethbridge. 



