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Correspondence with Charles Darwin 195 |
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Questions. |
Replies. |
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13. Geometry. |
I do not think I have any power of the kind. |
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14. Numerals. |
When I think of any number, printed figures rise before my |
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mind; I can't remember for an hour 4 consecutive figures. |
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15. Card-playing. |
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Have not played for many years, but I am sure should not |
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remember. |
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16. Chess. |
Never played. |
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Other senses. |
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17. Tones of voices. |
Recollection indistinct, not comparable with vision. |
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18. Music. |
Extremely hazy. |
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19. Smells. |
No power of vivid recollection, yet sometimes call up associated |
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ideas. |
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20. Tastes. |
No vivid power of recalling. |
Signature of Sender and Address. CHARLES DARWIN, Down, Beckenham. (Born Feb. 12th, 1809.) April 7, 1880. DowN, BECKENHAM, KENT.
MY DEAR GALTON, The enclosed letter and circular may perhaps interest you, as it relates to a queer subject. You will perhaps say: hang his impudence. But seriously the letter might possibly be worth taking some day to the Anthropolog. Inst. for the chance of some one caring about it. I have written to Mr Faulds telling him I could give no help, but had forwarded the letter to you on the chance of its interesting you.
My dear Galton, Yours very sincerely, CH. DARWIN.
P.S. The more I think of your visualising inquiries, the more interesting they seem to me.
42, RUTLAND GATE, April 8/80.
MY DEAR DARWIN, I will take Faulds' letter to the Anthro. and see what can be done; indeed, I myself got several thumb impressions a couple of years ago, having heard of the Chinese plan with criminals, but failed, perhaps from want of sufficiently minute observation, to make out any large number of differences. It would I think be feasible in one or two public schools where the system is established of annually taking heights, weights etc., also to take thumb marks, by which one would in time learn if the markings were as persistent as is said. Anyhow I will do what I can to help Mr Faulds in getting these sort of facts and in having an extract from his letter printed. I am so glad that my `visualising' inquiries seem interesting to you. I get letters from all directions and the metaphysicians and mad-doctors have been very helpful.
Very sincerely yours, FRANCIS GALTON.
Our united kindest remembrances to you all.
Galton communicated Dr Faulds' letter to the Anthropological Institute; the original is now before me, and it is inscribed, "Addressed to Charles Darwin, Esq. and communicated by F. Galton." Apparently that body did not publish it as they certainly ought to have done. Many years afterwards it was discovered in their archives. Its non-publication, however, was not of such importance as it might have been, for on Oct. 28, 1880, a very full letter from Dr Faulds appeared in Nature covering the same ground. To this matter we shall return later.
42, RUTLAND GATE, July 5/80.
MY DEAR DARWIN, Best thanks for sending me Revue Scientifique with Vogt's curious paper, which I return with many thanks. The passage you marked for me makes me sure that he would give help of the kind I now want and I will write to him. (De Candolle and another Genevese, Achard by name, have already kindly done much.)
I send an advance copy of those ''Visualised Numerals" of mine, not to trouble you to re-read what you know the pith of already, but because of the illustrations at the end and also for the chance of your caring to see there the confirmation from other sources (I find that the editor has cut out all Bidder's remarks on this point-which I much regret) of.what Vogt says about the left hand executing with facility in reverse what is done by the right band. I made
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