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OCR Rendition - approximate
430 Life and Letters of Francis Galton 42, RUTLAND GATE, S.W. August 4, 1910. MY DEAR KARL PEARSON, It is pleasant to hear that you are thriving in Yorkshire. I am still in London, not going to Grayshott until August 16. We have had much of very unenjoyable weather, but the last 3 days have been pleasant. Asthma has plagued me, but I stave off the worst bouts now, by smoking a cigarette of bhang (Indian hemp-hashish). It is curious to perceive the spreading of the narcotic effect over the lungs and everywhere. Q. and his elder brother have just bad tea here. He is simply a beautiful youth, of the very best Jewish type-simple and very intelligent. He thinks that there is a mine of information bearing on Eugenics that could easily be worked in Manchester, and said that he would like to write to you about it. I encouraged him to do so. So you will understand. I heard from him about his Russian and mystical Grandfather and the Kabbala (?spelling).-A good spiritualistic story is told of him. So Marshall is at you again now, and with reinforcements about to come on the scene ! Anyhow he is a worthy antagonist. What pleasure and health you must have given Miss Elderton. THE COURT, GRAYsHOTT, HASLEMERE. August 18, 1910. MY DEAR KARL PEARSON, At last I am most happily settled. Your letter reached me in London just before motoring here. I had to spend that afternoon and all yesterday in bed, but am now up and eager, having got over a horrid asthma ! It is pleasant to hear of your excellent weather and of much else. You know of course of the treatment bestowed on a big dog for sheep-chasing, viz. coupling him to an old ram, but Wee Ling's life would soon be pounded out of him in that way. It is too bad of Victor Horsley. Of course Crackanthorpe's letter justifies him, but I feel myself to be incidentally referred to. If ever I know of any such direct reference, I will certainly disavow it. You must be glad at feeling in sight of the end of Albinism-yet it suggests something more in respect to Melanism. I wonder whether the singular blackness in the R. family has been traced to a negro ancestor? I mean the present Lord R. and most of his sisters. His father also was very dark. You will like Q., I am sure, when you know him personally. He is as modest as he is capable. The tuberculous inquiry will not, I imagine, cause so great an outcry as the alcoholic. You have accustomed people to suspect the truth of current beliefs. I wonder what Sir Donald MacAlister thinks of all this? He is very favourably disposed towards Eugenics and is, as you know, a vigorous mathematician. Try and excuse this bad writing. It is performed on a board, while sitting in a wheel chair, and with a scratchy "pen, brought to me. Very best wishes to you all. Ever affectionately yours, FRANCIS GALTON. In October of this year the attacks on the work of the Eugenics Laboratory were in full progress and Galton wrote the letters to The Times and the British Journal of Inebriety cited on pp. 408-9 above. He was peculiarly moved by the half-hints made by certain writers to the press that he was out of sympathy with the work of the Eugenics Laboratory. All my letters to him directed to Haslemere in the last year of his life together with most of the letters he received during the same period appear to have been destroyed after his death, probably when Grayshott House was restored to its owners. Thus the correspondence for this last year must appear onesided. Kindest remembrances to you all. Ever most affectionately, FRANCIS GALTON.
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