Characterisation, especially by Letters 595 



Forest Park Hotel, Brockenhurst, Hants. April 19, 1909. 



Dearest Milly, Tliauk you ever so much for translating that German imposter's letter 

 for me, asking for pecuniary assistance in return for communicating early news of a big secret. 

 I have sent him a card regretting that I cannot do what he asks. Yes, "Brennpunkt" is 

 certainly "focus." The Edward Whelers are still with us, but leave to-morrow for Claverdon 

 direct. He is busy planning small alterations to the house at Loxton, enough to make it 

 liveable-ill during occasional visits there of his wife and himself. It is a most difficult job, but 

 he now has evolved something that is both simple and effective. We have had some beautiful 

 weather here and the New Forest looks very attractive. But I get about with difficulty. 

 Though quite at ease when still, the cramps and rheumatics are sharp, when I change position. 

 I do hope your grandson will get over his present ear ailment. We go to Rutland Gate next 

 Wednesday, the 21st. The landlord begged us to do so rather than stay a day longer as intended, 

 on account of a customer in whose family there had been a death. So, as matters stand, we 

 shall stay a full week in London, and I hope to see some old friends there, before going on to 

 Cameron Galton's house at Eynsham. I occupy myself in muddling away at my hobbies. I am 

 glad you like the look of the Eugenics Review. Eva and M. L. are just back from croquet at 

 the Walter Biggs, five miles from here. Best loves. Ever affectionately, Francis Galton. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. April 25, 1909. 



Dearest Milly, We are back home and delighted that your home is on the point of 

 becoming home-like. How beautiful this April is ! We go next Thursday to Cameron Galton's 

 house, Newlands, Eynsham, for a month; then back here. My rheumatics were driven away 

 for one day by a wonderful medicine, some preparation of salicine (willow-bark), but it has 

 returned, all the same. These sudden and transient effects are curious. I don't see much notice 

 taken of the Eugenics Review, but it is noticed. It will, I trust, grow more solid. But how 

 many people are ready to talk, and how few to work. There is no news for me to tell you. 

 The parks here have already some beautiful bits of greenery and great patches of garden 

 flowers. I was trundled* in Hyde Park for an hour this morning, and the same yesterday. 

 Also I have been round Battersea Park in a taxi-cab. The old "growlers" and hansoms have 

 almost disappeared from the cab stands. Spencer and May Butler and their classical son, 

 Ralph, came to tea yesterday and Lady Isabel Richards (nee Butler) came with her four little 

 girls this morning. They don't look a bit as if they had ever been from England. She even 

 looks younger, and fresher if possible, than when she started for India five years ago. Her 

 husband returns next Sunday, "for good." 



Ever affectionately, and I fear ever rheumatically, yours, Francis Galton. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. May 3, 1909. 



Dearest .Milly, It would be very pleasant if you could come in June, when Eva would 

 enjoy a sketching, etc., holiday. But she says that if I am not better then she would not like to 

 leave me J. (But you will come all the same, I hope. I should anyhow stay the first week of June 

 to enjoy your visit, but if Uncle Frank is really himself again I would like to go off sketching 

 the three other weeks of June. At present he wants a great deal of care, and if left alone, quite 

 forgets he isn't 25. Eva. This isn't my blot!) Let me then defer reply until next weekly 

 letter. I am very helpless, and the swelling of one leg mends very slowly; still it mends, and 

 the other is normal. So far as appetite, spirits and sleep are concerned, I am as well as I ever 

 was, no>r\ but how long this may remain so is a quere, I feel sure that I shall never be able 

 to climb the stairs of this house again. I am carried up every night by Gifi and the man-nurse 

 (Charman), who find me heavy, but I walk downstairs in the morning. I am thinking of 

 parting with this house and of moving into a, flat. Also of looking out for a well-built bungalow 

 in some sunny place not far from London. Newlands, as I think I told you, has been quite 

 given up. I did not feel fit to go, and the Doctor confirmed me. Poor Lucy Cameron, she is unfit 

 to go to Aix, and I think may feel relieved that her house remains unoccupied while she is in 

 Folkestone, in case she wants "home." Of novels, read An Immortal Soul by Mallock. It is 



* This term now begins to appear in Galton's letters and signifies an airing in a bath-chair, 

 f The sentences in the brackets are in Evelyne Biggs' handwriting. 



75—2 



