Eugenics as a Creed and the Last Decade of Galton's Life 339 



of what he held to be unnecessary mathematics into discussions where he 

 felt certain elementary theory could have provided a solution. 



Galton's physical strength was indeed waning, he was seriously unwell 

 during the Easter of 1908. His mind still remained as fertile as ever in ideas, 

 he was continually planning new projects, but the mental energy needed to 

 carry through serious investigation was failing him. 



42, Rutland Gate, S.W. May 18, 1908. 



My dear Karl Pearson, At length, I am to be allowed an hour's drive — after quite a 

 long bout of bronchitis and asthma. It began here in Easter week and has kept me for 10 days 

 or so mostly in bed, and quite invalided. I have contrived twice to get people here to dine, half 

 on business, but though leaving them early it rather overtaxed me. The doctor declares that 

 I am fast getting well at last. You may judge how incompetent I have been by the fact that 

 even yet I have not tackled the last part of Biometrika. But I have nearly got my " Memories " 

 off my hands. 



A letter of yours, April 28, has only come into my hands this morning. The housemaid 

 had dropped it, and so it lay unopened behind a box in the hall. 



That Eugenics Education Society promises better than I could have hoped. Crackanthorpe 

 is serious about it, and Professor Inge has joined it ! I can't find that Crichton-Browne has 

 as yet done much. A. acts as a restrainer, but is very eager, and they have got a particularly 

 bright lady Secretary who acts and works hard for the love of the thing. I have not yet ventured 

 to join it, but as soon as I am assured it is in safe management, shall do so. 



I hope you are all the better for Hindhead. I am eager to get (in half an hour) my first 

 out-of-doors view of this May time. Ever affectionately, Francis Galton. 



The appearance of the Eugenics Education Society — another child of 

 Galton's fertile mind — in these letters may be best explained by printing 

 here the rough draft of a letter of Galton to Montague Crackanthorpe, dated 

 so far back as December 16, 1906. Having established his Research Institute, 

 Galton now turned, as he had done in the case of Finger Prints, to the 

 popularisation of the principles of Eugenics. 



May I consult with you on the following? 



Is not the time ripe for some association of capable men who are really interested in 

 Eugenics, and might not the existing Eugenics Office of the London University serve as a 

 centre ? If you think so and cared to suggest the outline of a working plan and a few good names, 

 I should be grateful. I am too much of an invalid to push forward any undertaking except by 

 letter. Still I think something useful might be done even in that manner. I do not yet see 

 the way clearly and am desirous of fresh ideas. 



Edgar Schuster has resigned his Research Fellowship, the future of the Office is just 

 now uncertain. One idea is to have a " Fellow " at £250 a year, a Student at £100 in addition 

 to the very capable Secretary, of good actuarial blood, who is already there and is familiar with 

 the ways of the Office. Do you know of any capable man who would be a likely candidate for 

 the vacant Fellowship? Hitherto it has been an annually renewable post. The Office is in 

 Gower St, in rooms rented by University College and near to the Biometric Laboratory of 

 Prof. Karl Pearson, who is a pillar of strength. 



43—2 



