H.H. Risley to K. Pearson, 8th Aug. 1899.- External URL
- Correspondence Details
-
Sent From (Definite): Herbert Hope RisleySent To (Definite): Karl PearsonDate: 8 Aug 1899
- Current Holder(s)
-
Holder (Definite): University College London: Special Collections
- No links match your filters. Clear Filters
-
Sent fromHerbert Hope Risley
8 Aug 1899
Description:
‘My dear Sir,
Very many thanks for your long and interesting letter of 19th July which encourages me to hope that I may consult you hereafter on statistical questions which may arise in the course of the Census.
Your advice as to the anthropometric data will be of great value to me. It will enable me to sarisfy the Govt. of India, who had already asked for my opinion on the subject, on two main points.
1st that the measurements should be compiled.
2nd that they should be done apart from the Census.
And I may be able to induce them to have a few hundred measurements taken in order to get the data for a formula which would enable us to convert the nasal measurements into glabella measurements. But even if we cannot do this it may be worth while to compile the police measurements as they stand. For Garson told me when I saw him in London that Virchow had at one time gone in for the length to the root of the nose. I am writing to Virchow on this subject.
I am afraid no Census that it is possible to take in India would give the data for racial fertility which you want. No native knows his own age within 10 or 20 years & the age statistics which we collect are in my opinion perfectly worthless. However I will bear your requirements in mind & will see whether the records of the infanticide area (where we watch the proportion of girls) would be of use to you. Unfortunately I have a suspicion that the Rajputs have of late got to be smart enough to kill a few boys in order to adjust the balance of the sexes! Sat at least an old Rajput hinted to a friend of mine.
I fear I shall not be in London before I return to India.
Yrs very truly,
H.H. Risley.’
-
Sent toKarl Pearson
8 Aug 1899
Description:
‘My dear Sir,
Very many thanks for your long and interesting letter of 19th July which encourages me to hope that I may consult you hereafter on statistical questions which may arise in the course of the Census.
Your advice as to the anthropometric data will be of great value to me. It will enable me to sarisfy the Govt. of India, who had already asked for my opinion on the subject, on two main points.
1st that the measurements should be compiled.
2nd that they should be done apart from the Census.
And I may be able to induce them to have a few hundred measurements taken in order to get the data for a formula which would enable us to convert the nasal measurements into glabella measurements. But even if we cannot do this it may be worth while to compile the police measurements as they stand. For Garson told me when I saw him in London that Virchow had at one time gone in for the length to the root of the nose. I am writing to Virchow on this subject.
I am afraid no Census that it is possible to take in India would give the data for racial fertility which you want. No native knows his own age within 10 or 20 years & the age statistics which we collect are in my opinion perfectly worthless. However I will bear your requirements in mind & will see whether the records of the infanticide area (where we watch the proportion of girls) would be of use to you. Unfortunately I have a suspicion that the Rajputs have of late got to be smart enough to kill a few boys in order to adjust the balance of the sexes! Sat at least an old Rajput hinted to a friend of mine.
I fear I shall not be in London before I return to India.
Yrs very truly,
H.H. Risley.’
-
