Eugenics as a Creed and the Last Decade of Galton's Life 433 



any period in the past five years. Indeed I had been more anxious in 1909 

 than I was in 1910. There was no thought in my mind that I should not 

 see him again, and that in another three weeks I should be standing at his 

 grave-side. 



Ghayshott House, Haslemere. December 31, 1910. 



Dear Professor Pearson, Uncle Frank has given me your letter. I don't believe the 

 devil leaves you Protestants and Agnostics alone, but he doesn't torture you as he does 

 Catholic communities.... Who but the devil prevented you from doing what I asked, namely 

 persuading Uncle Frank off that worrying Eugenics Education Society. You and your pupils 

 do not let your names appear among that tiresome crowd, so why should Uncle Frank's name 

 be put at the head of them 1 



The Doctor has been and keeps Uncle Frank in bed all day to rest, but this is the rule now 

 once a week. He did so enjoy your visit. I wish you came more often as it cheers him up. 



Ever sincerely yours, L. E. B. 



Grayshott House, Haslemere. January 2, 1911. 



Dear Professor Pearson, Uncle Frank is splendid again, and had a certain Dr Lyon Smith 

 to tea and talk an hour yesterday. I honestly believe your visit did him good, but the cold tried 

 him on Saturday [December 31st]. 



I daresay you are right about the E.E.S., but thought you might say in a quiet way some 

 time that you were sorry he left them such a free hand. I don't like him, at the end of his life, 

 being mixed up with such a set and who knows that some day he may not be made answerable 

 for their actions, for after all he invented Eugenics. 



I was joking about the devil, and shouldn't dream of taking notice of anything Luther either 

 said or did ! But its a great pity you folk blind yourselves to the existence of devils, and regard 

 their tricks as a twist in the brain or something hereditary ! A happy New Year to you 

 from L. E. B. 



Grayshott House, Haslemere. January 15, 1911. 

 Dear Professor Pearson, Uncle Frank is one degree better to-day but still in danger. He 

 is not the least worried about the Laboratory affairs. I only told him the teetotallers were 

 attacking you, and that a good leading article in the Times had snubbed them. He was much 

 interested. He is quite easy in his mind and very clear when he speaks, but too weak to speak 

 more than a word or two. My cousin Edward Wheler, a very dear nephew of his, is here — we 

 never leave him a minute. Will write again. Very sincerely, L. E. B. 



Grayshott House, Haslemere, Surrey. January 18, 1911. 



My dear Lady Pelly, I have the saddest news for you — dear Uncle Frank died last 

 night- — he had a sharp attack of bronchitis and died of heart failure, not having the strength to 

 fight against it — he suffered much discomfort but very little pain, and just at the last, he was 

 very peaceful. 



Edward Wheler and I were with him and, just before sinking, he looked and smiled as one of 

 us spoke, or Gifi came and looked at him. Up to the last few hours he was bright and keen, and 

 if strong enough to articulate would quote some poetry or make an amusing reply. He looked so 

 sweet when dead I could hardly believe he had gone. He is to be buried at Claverdon on 

 Saturday next (January 21st), the home of his father, a few miles from Warwick. He was truly 

 fond of you. He was ill just a week. With much love and great sorrow at having to give you 

 such sad news. Yours affectionately, L. E. Biggs. 



On January 18, three days after his niece's letter to me, a telegram reached 

 me that Francis Galton had passed quietly away on the previous night. Early 

 in the month he had caught a bronchial cold from one of his attendants, and 

 his strength was inadequate to carry him through the attack. I personally 

 had lost the master in whose footsteps I had trod since I met his Natural 

 Inheritance in 1889, and the man with whom my friendship had grown 



p G in 55 



