386 Life and Letters of Francis Galton, 



sympathetic, I think, and very businesslike, as you know. Sir Philip Magnus is also worth 

 considering, besides Gregory Foster. I am prepared to pay in the £500 for next year's cost of 

 the Laboratory as soon as the Committee has met and done what it ought to do ! 



You have done unexpectedly well about the Eldertons' little book. If, as you suggest, it 

 is called a Primer, it ought to be of Biometry and Eugenics*. The two latter words are 

 important. 



I shall be very happy to write a few words of introduction, quoting from my lecture at 

 Oxford (the Indian Anarchist's Foundation), on the need of such a book. 



With you, I am very sorry at C. G. Darwin's ill fortune ; but I take it, he knows quite 

 enough maths, to make them his effective servant in future work, and I hope he will do so. 



How amusing about the Chinaman ! You will not I suppose extract pecuniary help through 

 Dr Woodward. Ever affectionately yours, Fkancis Galton. 



Please excuse bad writing. I am placed, on account of swelled legs, in an uncomfortable 

 position. 



Private. A letter came to me the day before yesterday from the Premier to the effect that 

 I was to be knighted on the "approaching" King's birthday (i.e. on Nov. 9). A precious bad 

 knight I should make now, with all my infirmities. Even seven years ago it required some 

 engineering to get me on the back of an Egyptian donkey ! and I have worsened steadily sincet. 



The Galton Eugenics Laboratory, University College. June 17, 1909. 



My dear Francis Galton, I am so pleased that among all the humbug of this world — and 

 science is no more free from it than politics — the work you have done should be officially 

 recognised. My Chinaman and Dr Woodward were only a trifle previous in their use of 

 " Sir Galton " last Monday. My memory of poetry is very misty, but has not Wordsworth a 

 poem " Who is the perfect Knight"? Certainly I don't think it was the man who could mount 

 his steed best. 



Will you let me have your views on the Galton Laboratory Report, if you are unable to be 

 present? Particularly as to how far you would wish us to proceed to the election of a new 

 fellow in or before next February, or are content with the staff remaining at present as it is. 

 Also what you think of appointing Miss Ryley at ,£45 a year to do the pedigree plates, 

 provided we do not exceed our funds. Of course, if you feel able to come to the meeting, 

 I need not trouble you to write. If there are any views you would like to have expressed, 

 please send them to Hartog or to me that they may be read to the meeting. The Senate met 

 yesterday and through an oversight I fear on my part in telling you to write to College, I did not 

 get your letter till dinner time. Meanwhile the Senate had put Cyril Jackson, Chairman of 

 the L.C.C. Education Committee, on the Galton Committee. I think this is really a good 

 appointment. The L.C.C. Committee has lent us 10,000 schedules of London children and if we 

 can get really into close touch with that body, we shall have the finest material accessible 

 anywhere. Affectionately, Karl Pearson. 



If you are not at the Committee on June 25, may I come in after the meeting and talk 

 over its doings with you ? It would be about 4 or 4.30 to 5 o'clock. 



7, Well Road, Hampstead, N.W. June 26, 1909. 



My dear Francis Galton, There was a point the Principal of the University asked me, 

 and whicli I forgot to mention to you yesterday. He said " Could you tell me whether Sir 

 Francis Galton would object to the University seeking for further funds to increase the activity 

 and possibilities of the Eugenics Laboratory?" I said that I would sound you on the matter 

 but that I thought I knew your answer would be : That anything that helps forward the cause 

 of Eugenics had your approval. I said to him that as far as I personally was concerned the 

 points I should emphasise strongly would be: (i) that if any further aid should come to the 



* (Or rather, "of Biometric and Eugenic Calculations." This would be the long title. F. G.) 

 The little book was finally called : A Primer of Statistics. 



t Another friend said to Galton: " Why they ought to have made you a K.C.B. years ago!" 

 and he replied with a twinkle in his eye — it was on his morning " trundle " — " Well, I am a 

 sort of K.C.B.— I am a Knight of the Chair of Bath." 



