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Lehrjahre and Wanderjahre   181


ferociously at present. First for my degree and secondly on the 4 different subjects, Anatomy, Practice of Medicine, Chemistry and Forensic Medicine. I did at one time know these same subjects well enough, but they slip in an extraordinary degree out of the mind. I am writing in the Union and waiting for-some motions to come on that I was pledged last term to open. I wrote you a note by this morning's post. My gown was not among the number thrown down for the Queen to walk upon and caught up before the maids of honor (bless their pretty feet) could do so, as I had no inclination to assimilate my loyalty to that of the Aldermen of Southampton.

Goodbye, Your affectionate son,

FRAS. GALTON.

The postscript of this letter contains a long description with sketches of "the jolliest dodge imaginable to supersede the old plan of bolting the left door into which the right door locks of any two-door cupboard. The contrivance is one in which the shutting of the right door automatically fastens the left.

In November Galton found that he would have to stay in Cambridge till June to complete his medical work. He proposes to go to St George's Hospital to complete his medical' education. He considers that London would be the best place after leaving Cambridgee and before the winter medical session begins he could learn Botany and Materia Medica, together with some degree of hospital practice. " If not, I could dissect in Paris, though, after all, minute anatomy is really useless to a practitioner who does not operate, and I think I know quite enough of general anatomy." He thinks of taking rooms in King's College as more suited to a medical student than lodgings. A letter without date of January 1844 contains on the first page a sketch of a handsome young bachelor.

MY DEAR FATHER,

Your affectionate son is B.A., the ceremony having taken place this morning and I now wear a flowing gown with ribbons hung in front over either arm. I send you a list. I am 44th at which I highly pride myself, the Classics being below par and Medicine etc. only allowed me a month to get my subjects up. I was third in Mathematics but would have been first only for a misunderstanding in one question which lost me fifteen marks. The place however in the Poll signifies nothing.

I see Hopkins occasionally who often asks me out; he has asked me to dinner tonight and again on Tuesday night.

Thank you very much about the carriage to the Stratford ball. It will be most convenient and capital for me. Please tell Emma that I fear my Schiller will not do for her on account of the type, besides I think that I had rather keep it. Tell her I was much obliged for her remembering my offer of selling it.

Your affectionate son,   FRAS. GALTON.


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