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OCR Rendition - approximate
118 Life and Letters of Francis Galton. time and a coffin in process of being made. I am most grateful to him-and if I have children I'll make them amphibious. Now don't fancy that I am ill-once again. Just send an epistle soon-all about journey to Isle of Man and everything. N.B. The ducking has cured a cold. Yours, etc., FRANCIS GALTON. I have got a relic from the wood which saved my life. It stuck into my waistcoat pocket and broke off as I was getting into the boat, and I send you some enclosed'. My watch is much hurt. In the account- Sir Francis gives in his Memories (p. 46) of this event, the reason for his strong feeling about the watermen is manifest-the men in the first boat asked a sovereign to take him in, but being in comparative safety he was able to resist this extortion ! Ten days later Francis' examinations are over ; he feels he has done well, and, ready for his holiday, he sets out a free man to overtake his father in Paris BOULOGNE, HOTEL DE GIBRALTAR. DEAR PATER, Couldn't write before on account of the Examination in Anatomy and Chemistry. I will tell you why when I come, but I am too lazy now. Mr, one young Mr, and 3 Miss W (Civil Engineers), were in the Steam Packet with me from Dover to Boulogne. I came very "strong" with one of the Miss W-, who says that they are going to stay a week at Paris. I think that we shall travel together tomorrow at 9 o'clock. I being "dished" for this evening and they, I believe, ditto. Hang their Vin Ordinaire, it has diluted my gumption, till it is as weak as their vermacelli soup, which hang also. Travelled by night from London to Dover; got there at 6 a.m., walked without interruption for 5 hours up the cliffs and in every direction, set off at 12; got here at 3.• I have no particular news worth telling. Tell Emma that I have two views of Dover and one of Boulogne (having invested in a small board Sketching Book). There is nothing to be seen in Boulogne, so I am going to dress and promenade ! ! ! Good-bye. FRA. GALTON. N.B. It is the custom in France to write on thin paper and with a wafer, and not to direct epistles which are written on something very like mnillboard and sealed with a seal such as a Cardinal would affix to a Pope's Bull to London ; and thereby make the postage 2 shillings and 4 pence. Such was the case with a certain letter I received. N.B. to N.B. (or 1/NB'). I am not sure whether the letter was 1 shilling and 4 pence or 2 shillings and 4 pence. I think the latter. All mistakes to be referred to Vermacelli soup or Vin Ordinaire. ' I imagine this is the shaving of wood which has been preserved with a small triangular piece of lead in this bundle of letters.
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