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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. 0. 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, FRANCIS CALTON. 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 since t. 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 feet 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 which 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."
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