Characterisation, especialty by Letters 615 



Grayshott House, Haslemere, Surrey. November 29, 1910. 



Mr dear MlLLY, There is nothing to say, the ups and downs of invalidism interest none 

 except the persons concerned. I have been down and am up again, "le vieux (mieux) persiste." 

 To-morrow the Copley Medal is given. The papers are too full of politics for anything about 

 the Royal Society to be inserted beyond bare facts. It is very nice of Sir George Darwin to 

 receive it for me. This morning's post brought the neatly typed Kantsaywhere revised and 

 done up in book form. Methuen comes here if he can on Sunday or Monday afternoon, so 

 I must keep it for him. This is, I expect, just the most awkward time for new publications, 

 polities and Xmas both in front. I shall soon know more about all this. The Edward Whalers 

 come here for two or three days about Xmas, and 1 shall hear much I hope then about Claver- 

 i iciii and Loxton. This house proves quite a success, but I have been very little out of doors, 

 not at all of late. 



Excuse if you can this extra dull letter and believe me all the same, 



Ever affectionately yours, Francis Galton. 



Higher Comise, Haslemere, Surrey. December 2, 1910. 



M v dear Sir Francis, 1 very much enjoyed Professor Donoghue's account of Kantsayivhere 

 yesterday. I like the additions, particularly about the resemblance of the young women to 

 Guido's Hours. Wouldn't a reproduction of the engraving or a photogravure of the picture 

 make a pretty frontispiece to the book? I hope you didn't bother over my minute criticisms. 

 I can't recall the particular sentence verbatim where I boggled over the grammatical form, the 

 sense being plain enough. "Its absence etc...." I wonder if "Its freedom from..." or "immunity 

 from...'' would please me better. I am looking forward to my next visit, but I find on Tuesday, 

 Wednesday ami Thursday 1 have to be in London. So it must be Monday?? or Friday? Perhaps 

 Miss Biggs would kindly let me know if Friday suits. 



Yours affectionately, H. Graham Dakyns. 



Or that failing — Monday. You will have seen Methuen by that time. 



Grayshott House, Haslemere, Surrey. December 6, 1910. 



My dear Milly, Thanks many for all you say. The President of the Royal Society had 

 tea here yesterday. I don't think I told you his last story, viz. that at the recent University 

 celebrations in Liverpool, lie stayed at Knowsley (Lord Derby) where Lord Morley and Lord 

 Rosebery also were. He overheard this bit of conversation between them. Roaebery: Do you 

 play at cards? Morley: No, it has never been my taste. Rosebery: Rut your Cabinet is keen 

 upon a game, namely " Beggar your neighbour." Lord Morley tried to reply, but could not find 

 a rejoinder. What a storm in polities. There must arrive a time for compromise. If so, I hope 

 they will combine to diminish the Irish vote. The late Liberal candidate for this place, Methuen 

 the publisher, had tea here two days ago. He asserts that Lloyd George has an extraordinary 



charm of manner in conversation, and that Lord , at the Conference, who is a stubborn 



Tory and hates him politically like Satan, was quite won over by him socially after three 

 meetings. I doubt whether Methuen will take Knutxiyirhi re. I showed it to him and asked 

 him to submit it to his reader, which he said he would do and ultimately marched off with it, 

 but at first sight he was very dubious. He takes no interest in Eugenics. I have not ventured 

 out of doors for a whole fortnight and crave somewhat for fresh air. Much love to you all. 



Ever affectionately, Francis Galton. 



Eva is in bed, recovering fast from a sudden chill (of no real consequence). 



Grayshott House, Haslemere, Surrey. December 11, 1910. 



My dear Milly, Methuen came to tea on Monday and took Kantsaywhere with him to 

 submit it to his reader. He was not at all taken with the idea at first sight and may more 

 likely than not decline it. We shall shortly see. What an inconclusive pother this election has 

 stirred up. I wish both parties would agree to dock off the disproportionate number of Irish 

 electors. They are a nuisance to both sides in turn. Nothing has occurred this week worth 

 telling. I have not ventured out of doors for nearly a month. It trill be a month next 

 Tuesday. The Doctor inspects me and gossips once a week. I am grievously distressed at 



