280 Life and Letters of Francis Galton 



If Galton's character seemed to me at first to change between 1890 and 

 1910, it was only because with ever increasing intimacy I learnt to under- 

 stand him better and better. 



7, Well Road, Hampstead, N.W. Feb. 16, 1906. 



My dear Francis Galton, Very hearty thanks to Miss Biggs and yourself for your con- 

 soling words as to the plate of poppy petals. I feared you would be as disgusted with them as 

 I felt, but you have not the originals to place beside them. I think, however, we shall succeed 

 in getting something better in the final proof. Your paper reached me safely the day before 

 yesterday, and I have read it through thrice. It seems to me most suggestive and I want very 

 much to be making "isoscopes" and practically trying how it works. It would be most satisfactory 

 to find it giving a higher average degree of resemblance between relatives than between 

 strangers. You use I suppose one eye only to see both objects simultaneously? Would it not 

 be well to get a simple instrument made by Beck or Baker from your drawings with an ocular 

 micrometer, and test on photographs? or are you thinking of finger-prints? Would you like the 

 paper in Biometrika or do you want a wider audience? I need not say we shall be most pleased 

 to have it. Affectionately yours, Karl Pearson. 



Thus matters seemed to be slipping back into their old channels, with work 

 in the foremost place. Easter was to be spent by us at Longcot with the 

 Weldons near at hand in little Woolstone inn at the foot of the hill marked by 

 the White Horse (or rather "White Dragon"). There were the usual plans 

 for further work, visits to Oxford to see the mice and cycle-rides to make 

 lay studies of church architecture. Weldon was not in good health, he was 

 depressed and thought a visit to a picture gallery in London would be a relief. 

 He went, and from the gallery passed to a nursing home, and died within 

 twenty -four hours of double pneumonia. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. April 16, 1906. 



My dear Pearson, Weldon's death is a terrible and disastrous blow, so utterly unexpected. 

 Few if any men will feel it more deeply than you who were so intimately associated with him, not 

 many more than I do. We have lost a loved friend, and Biometry has lost one of its protagonists. 

 I feel intensely miserable about it and shall feel the void he has left for probably the rest of 

 my life. I should greatly have liked to pay the last tribute of friendship to his remains by 

 attending the funeral, but I dare not risk it. Among other things an incipient mild phlebitis 

 in a leg prevents my standing during many minutes and my doctor is strict on this. 



I do indeed pity Mrs Weldon from my heart. How deeply your Wife will feel it all, and 

 how helpful she is sure to be, as you are. Give my kindest remembrances to her. We go to 

 the country on Wednesday but letters will be forwarded from here. It will be a sad day. 



Affectionately yours, Francis Galton, 



The first part of the funeral service was in the chapel of Merton College, 

 and to my surprise I saw Galton there. 



The Avenue House, Bishopton, Stratford-on-Avon. April 19, 1906. 



My dear Karl Pearson, The card of invitation showed it was possible for me to attend 

 the first part of the funeral without harm, so as you saw I went, and came on here by a later 

 train. It is inexpressibly sad. I do not myself yet fully know all the circumstances, but the more 

 I know the more pity full * it seems. I should be very grateful for tidings about Mrs Weldon, 

 into whose sorrow I could not venture yesterday to intrude. If you or Mrs Pearson have the 



* So Galton wrote, and the words express more than " pitiful." 



