LETTER: Autograph letter signed, to Aunt Mai.
AGAIN TO AUNT MAI
Nightingale: Autograph letter signed, “your ever loving, Old Flo,” to Aunt Mai, November 6,
1888.
Nightingale writes again to her Aunt Mai, showing her desperate efforts to reorganize the Army
Sanitary Commission in relation to assisting with sanitation problems in India. Her emotion – and
depression – in the face of strong opposition is unusual and poignant. In part:
I think of you always - but my failing strength has been so pressed & is
so still by the new Viceroy going out to India. (This is the 8th Viceroy
since I began work at the India Office. Sir John Lawrence was the second.)
Lord Lansdowne is extremely favourable to our objects. And so is his
wife, in her way, to Lady Dufferin’s objects.
But we are come to a ‘mauvais pas’. And there is the Army Sanitary
Commission to be re-organized. You know that Dr. Sutherland has retired -
& took no part for many months before his retirement.
And there is a strong current against re-organising the commission, which
has lasted for nearly 30 years - & substituting a single member for it,
both at the War Office & the India Office, who would be able to make no
way at all against the many hostile influences.
Here is how we start - And we have no one of weight on our side to fight
our battle - the excellent W. H. Smith, who was war Minister, & would have
done it, having been taken away from the War Office, which no one but he
could do to lead the House of Commons which no one can do.
Still we are in the Life-boat, & may steer through. Sometimes, tho’ not so
often as I used, I am base enough to wish I had not lived to see this -
but then I remember how you say - ‘it is a poor way to live, to wish it
were over’ - And I cry, like Joshua: Be not dismayed. I mean to write more
another day to one of whom I am always thinking, if I may. My love to
Blanche, & to those who are with you.
(#4657111)
Print Inquire
