600 Lifo ((ml Letters of Francis Galton 



Eva is not as strong as is her wont. An old strain, at least nine years old, has been too much 

 ignored of late, and she is ordered rest, and to get fat, if possible. I expect Lucy Cameron 

 Galton to-day for the inside of the week. She will tell me about Cameron, who is somewhere 

 in the Alps, and of Violet who was with a friend in Venice. Life goes on here much as usual; 

 quietly and contentedly. My man-nurse continues skilfully to snare rabbits, which we continue 

 to eat. Edward Wheler killed 131; they devour his corn. Loves to all under your hospitable 

 roof-tree. Ever affectionately, Fhancis Galton. 



Fox Holm, Cobham, Surrey. September 11, 1909. 

 My dear Milly, Yes, the c in the French " scepticisme " is "muet," which improves the 

 anecdote. What a difference of sense one letter makes ! I have no new ones to tell. To-day is 

 glorious and I have had a trundle in my bath-chair, very successfully. Galtonias are sensitive to 

 soil. Those hereabouts are very good. More than half of our stay here is over. I shall be glad 

 to be safe in Haslemere before wintry weather arrives. I have been won over by a piteous 

 appeal, in consequence of an offer from Karl Pearson, to accept a puppy. It is a pure albino of 

 pure albino descent, — a Chinese pug with the name of Wee Ling. Albinism has been a recent 

 study of Karl Pearson. This little creature may prove ancestor to a valuable breed of them; 

 valuable, I mean, from a scientific point of view. Eva will rejoice in the young pet, of whom 

 I have a photograph. Ever affectionately, Francis Galton. 



The Rectory, Haslemere. October 4, 1909. 

 My dear Milly, We are just arrived after a very easy 1 A hours' motoring. "We" includes 

 the puppy, who bewailed most of the way in an unknown dog-language, very like the self-made 

 noises in a bad telephone. This place seems very suitable, but I have only seen this one room, 

 the drawing-room, as yet. They are unpacking upstairs and in £ hour after tea I shall be carried 

 up to my bedroom. I am indeed grieved at poor Jimmy's renewed ear-trouble. It sounds so 

 very serious. It feels very nice to be again near to many old friends and to have again seen 

 familiar roads and scenery. The trees are just beginning to show autumn colouring, but some 

 cottage creepers that we passed on the way were fully turned into gorgeous reds. Eva is 

 distinctly better under her regimen of fattening food and rest. The latter will now, I hope, 

 be taken in full doses, as Violet* will be here to-morrow afternoon for her long stay. She, Eva, 

 has shown me your letter which was awaiting her. I learn now that the house is the "Rectory," 

 not "Vicarage," as I had been told. The latter address has however sufficed. I am so glad you 

 liked the Gibbon-Salomons. This is an ideal country parsonage, such as a cultured clergyman 

 would enjoy. Excuse more. Ever affectionately, with many loves, Francis Galton. 



The Rectory, Haslemere. October 19, 1909. 

 My dear Milly, Again I am unpunctual and blush (internally). All goes on steadily. 

 Eva is happy in bed, and Violet seems to enjoy her double occupation of nurse and housekeeper 

 and of companion to me when out of doors — twice yesterday, but often nil owing to bad weather. 

 I have had calls from two scientific friends, full of information and pleasant talk. You will have 

 received the Eugenics Review. Miigge's paper strikes me as very good. A substantial but com- 

 paratively thin book on Eugenics by the Whethams is just out. It is well written and well got 

 up. He is a Fellow and Tutor of Trinity College, Cambridge, and his wife and coadjutor is 

 zealous and able. He takes a broad and sensible view of the necessity for our Race Improve- 

 ment. It is so well written that it may win its way. The albino puppy grows in body and 

 mind. His tail curls tightly already, and he has had his first lesson in Sociology, through offending 

 the cat and receiving a wipe of her claws upon his little pink nose. Lucy Studdy comes to 

 Haslemere next Saturday. We can't take her in, but there is a fair hotel very near and sin: 

 can meal with us. Three invalids in one house would tax domestic resources too much. There will 

 be much "high fainting" in Birmingham this week. An extension of the University there 

 will be opened and their power of giving degrees will be exercised for (I think) the first time. 

 Oliver Lodge will be in his glory and will, I have no doubt, act his part exceedingly well. My 

 horizon is now so narrowed that I have little to tell that would interest you. Eva would send 

 her love if she knew I was writing. Ever affectionately, Francis Galton. 



* Violet Galton, a sister of Cameron Galton; both were Francis Galton's first cousins once 

 removed. 



