Characterisation, especially by Letters 605 



introducing more simplicity where needed. Eva will receive you here on Tuesday and goes to 

 Rome next day ; in the first instance through to Baveno, where she will meet friends. I am 

 rejoiced that she is now strong and very tit for travel. Miss Jones came here yesterday. She 

 will take much trouble about me off your hands, being very vigorous and serviceable. I trust 

 you will find all here as you want. The drawing-room is much improved, thanks to Lucy 

 Studdy's idea of a solid partition instead of a curtain. Did I tell you that the bust, or rather 

 a cast of it, is in the Royal Academy? Sir G. Frampton only sent one other exhibit, out of 

 the six he is entitled to as R.A. Best loves to you all. 



Ever affectionately, Francis Galton. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. May 21, 1910. 



My dear Eva, You will be so immersed in Italian feelings and atmosphere, that news 

 from here will seem petty and even profane, for a time at least, to you. The facts are: (1) 

 I miss you. (2) Edward and M. L. returned last night and spent an hour here, looking very 

 well and with much to say. (3) Grace Moilliet, by tact and enterprise, saw both the lying-in- 

 state and the funeral procession. Both Milly and I, each in our several ways, went to Hyde 

 Park to see the crowd. It was totally impossible to get near to the route. The crowd was 

 singularly orderly and quiet and all in black. (4) Sir G. Frampton comes to-morrow to see 

 where the bust is to stand and to fix for the pedestal accordingly. (5) The Times has 

 a favourable leading article and a long analysis of Miss Elderton's paper about the children 

 of drunkards, which will make Saleeby tear his hair. 



All well and happy. Our best loves, F. Galton. 



(6) Miss Jones returned last night. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. May 31, 1910. 



My dear Eva, I do most thoroughly enter into your happy feelings in this the crowning 

 epoch of your life. Everything seems to combine to enhance its happiness — the air and 

 climate of Italy and the sound of the language, the quiet affection in the convent, the 

 ceremonial at the Vatican, all combining with the great function itself of your entering the 

 church that your temperament most requires. I heartily congratulate you. It is pleasant to 

 me to hear how helpful dear Louisa's relations have proved to you. I have no particular news. 

 Sometimes more, now less of asthma — the usual round. A letter I wrote last night to the 

 Times joining issue with one of Ray Lankester, is published this morning in biggish type. 

 Miss Eldsrton and a sister of Miss Jones came yesterday to tea, 'and such-like events at present 

 complete the round of my daily life. I have now no tearing wants or ambitions. My race has 

 been run, and I have simply to await the close of life. 



Milly seems very well and happy. Dim comes towards the end of this week. Miss Jones 

 does all she can, and goes to-day for me to the Soutli Kensington Art Gallery to add something 

 to the tracings from Dance. Ever affectionately, Francis Galton. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. June 26, 1910. 

 My dear Milly, It is well that your stay here has not, after all, interfered with the 

 house-cleaning before your guests arrive. I miss the tapping of your tool for making the 

 papers for the blind, and I often lift up my eyes and, not seeing you on the sofa, wonder for 

 a moment if you are elsewhere in the room. Thank you again for coming. Eva has a 

 " clergyman's " sore throat, brought on she thinks by talking too loud and long to me in 

 eagerness to relate her story. She writes for me now what she wishes to say, but will probably 

 be quite right again in two or three days. Mrs Townsend* is here. She has (while here) three 

 big speeches to make, a masseuse to operate on her, and a weak heart. So she is in her room 

 and takes her meals there most days, quaffing champagne (in moderation) which is her usual 

 drink, and very grateful for the opportunity of being quiet. Beak's t wife was moved to 

 St Mary's Hospital on Thursday. He will be allowed to see her to-day. It appears that 

 a quantity of stale blood has to be drawn from the tumour on her wrist, and that she may get 

 well afterwards quickly. Karl Pearson had a large reception hist night at the Eugenics 

 Laboratory. I am curious to hear about it. The Academic Registrar of the University of 



* Well-known in relation to the " Girls' Friendly Society." 

 t At this time Galton's valet-nurse. 



