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the table d'hote. He was a great phrenologist and I got him to paw my head, he gave me I think a very true character (self-esteem was remarkably full). I have not now the bump of constructiveness very large though be says it is large. Mary's bump is firmness, I described her character and he immediately said that he had observed equally well developed cases'. I have just descended from Skiddaw, it is a very seedy mountain to go up, there being no difficulty whatever, the view is very extensive including the Isle of Man and Ben Lomond. It was very hot and we pitched into much whisky, and on the strength of it cheered 3 times 3 for God save the Queen, Trinity, etc. Whatever Father Mathew may say there is nothing like vast quantities of whisky on a mountain top, it would be a splendid way to subject a convert to temptation.-Please address in future Browtop as an oblique-eyed intimate of our skullion having nothing else to do brings up the letters. Love to all and each ; may the critical spirit of Bessy smile on this epistle.

The Keswick letters show such joy in life, such healthy vigour and a nature bubbling over with such fun that those who read them must feel at once on terms of intimacy with Galton's genial personality. I have allowed his criticisms of Whewell to remain, for they are only the opinions of a boyish undergraduate on the Master of his college2and most of us remember what fair game the Master must ever be to the world of junior members of his college !

BROW Top, KEswicx.

July 18, Sunday, 1841.

MY DEAR FATHER,

Thank you for your letter. I am very glad that you talk of coming towards the lakes, as they are well worth seeing, and as a long course of fine weather almost


1 Galton's interest in phrenology was a precursor of his later system of headmeasurements. While Francis was a boy at King Edward School, Birmingham, a Cambridge examiner fond of phrenology asked to be allowed to inspect the boys' beads to test his phrenological opinion against the results actually found in the following day's examination. He went into the school-room and was much struck with Francis' head and sent for him for a second inspection. He then said to Dr Jeune, a This boy has the largest organ of causality I ever saw in any head but one, and that is the bust of Dr Erasmus Darwin." "Why," said Dr Jeune, "this boy is Dr Darwin's grandson." Owen, the Lanark Utopian, also noted Galton's head when an infant and predicted from its peculiarity that he would not be a common character. The large organs of causality, i.e. a good temporal development in ordinary parlance were noted by the professional phrenologist, Donovan, who gave in 1849 an amusing estimate of Francis Galton's character as wonderfully correct in some respects as it was absurdly incorrect in others. I shall cite some part of it later.

2 Whewell was made Master this very autumn.

Good Bye, Your affectionate son,

FRAs. GALTON.


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