Characterisation, especially by Letters 597 



left to me like her. I can count one, but not more without some reservation. And in my own 

 family there are none of my generation, and very few of yours besides yourself. Sic transit. I am 

 just beginning Saleeby's new book, Parenthood and Race Culture. He dedicates it to me as "The 

 August Master of all Eugenists." I read it in proof and, though there is much I would myself 

 strike out, expect it will do good. Ho has eminently the art of popular writing with fluency. 

 Mrs Horace Darwin spent a night with us, and her nice daughter* came to luncheon. She, the 

 daughter, goes in for botany. Eva and I taxi-cabbed through Bushey and Richmond Parks 

 a few days ago. It was town the whole way to one end of Bushey Avenue, but still countrified 

 on the way back through Richmond Park. Love to you all three. 



Ever affectionately, Francis Galton. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. May 31, 1909. 



Dearest Milly, You send me three grateful bits of news. 1. Frank's new appointment; 

 L'. Guy's success in connection with the car trip; and 3. The new American grandson. Best 

 congratulations thereon. I look forward to next Saturday with much pleasure. But you will 

 find me a very helpless host. I can only walk a few paces and those totteringly and with pain, 

 but get out sometimes twice in the day in my bath-chair. Kensington Gardens have been, and 

 still are, lovely in parts, almost beyond expression. I am grateful to have lived to see this 

 Elysian spring. Good-bye till Saturday. 



Ever affectionately, with loves to you all, Francis Galton. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. June 15, 1909. 



My dear Eva, The exact breadth of the arm-chair is 28 inches. If the garden gate be 

 30 inches wide, it will do well. 29 would do, but it would be rather a shave. I am so glad you 

 have had an interesting day at Fox Holm. Curious that the Lawrence Jones's should have 

 been there. Yesterday a letter came by post with "Prime Minister" printed on the cover and 

 "Confidential" written inside. At first, I thought it must be some wine-merchant's circular, but 

 its contents were "Confident ial. My dear Sir, I have the pleasure with the King's approval of 

 proposing that you should receive the honour of Knighthood on his Majesty's approaching 

 birthday. Yours faithfully, (signed) H. H. Asquith." So I have to live till November 9f and 

 then shall blossom. Don't make any fuss about it. I told Giti and Mrs Simmonds, as they 

 would both like to know. I will keep this letter open till near post-time for news of the 

 Cambridge Mathematical Tripos, which was issued this morning. 



Tea-time. Charles G. Darwin is neither 1st, 2nd, 3rd nor 4th, but the 5th, 6th, 7th and 

 8th are bracketted equal, and he is one of these. Mrs Flack has been worse than useless. 

 The result has been that, with my approval, Mis Simmonds has got her 15-year-old sister to 

 act as tweeny until we leave London. She will arrive to-night. 



Affectionately yours, Francis Galton. 



42, Rutland Gate. June 29, 1909. 



My dear Eva, I was so tired yesterday that I did not write; Milly helps greatly with my 

 letters and I am at last nearly through with them, about 100. A letter came from the Home 

 ( office saying that I was to appear to receive Knighthood at a time to be fixed by H.M. I wrote 

 back a piteous appeal against going to the ceremony, being unfit for anything of the sort, and 

 to my joy a reply came this morning to the effect that I need not go, but that the patent of 

 Knighthood would be sent me. Had news for the tailors who sent circulars to fit me up for 

 £32 odd. It was fair this morning and I went out in the bath-chair, but a sharp thunder 

 shower suddenly came on, and Charman, I fear, got a little wet. Such nice letters come. I was 

 wrong in rather ridiculing the Salvation Army missive, which, to tell the truth, I had not 

 wholly read through. The last paragraph is very dignified and I respect their motives. So much 

 so, that I am half inclined to frame and hang it up. Things go on here much as usual. 

 Mc< tskie comes to-morrow. My legs are not one bit better, but I feel well in myself. 



Bateson has not sent his book. I will wait a little longer and then buy it if he does not. 



* Ruth Frances Darwin. 



f The actual, but not necessarily the official birthday of King Edward. 



