NIGHTINGALE, Florence (1820-1910). Reformer of nursing.
Fine long Autograph Letter Signed to Mr Hayward at Lea School, 7 pages 8vo with envelope, 10 South Street, Park Lane, 2 July 1881. Ranging widely over the subjects of education, especially of women, the conduct of the school, the necessity for thrift, the achievements of individual pupils, the public house near the cricket field, the iniquities of drink etc.

'... I share your hopes that the Savings Banks in Schools & other means of encouranging thrift will make the next generation of young men & women more provident. More sober, less dressy. ... France is now the land of thrift; and when we think that on the thiftiness of her women their power of cooking, needlework, domestic economy, etc, making saving possible has mainly depended the extraordinary recovery of France from the German War of 1870!. ...'
'Drink & dress & what it leads to, pleasure & unthriftiness give God much trouble. ...'
'It is rather grievous that the Institute gives you so much trouble ... I am afraid that it does not make much head against the Public house. The election of the Yew tree to be Captain of the Cricket ground stikes me dumb. Would it not be possible to make a bye-law that all refreshments for Cricketers on that ground whether strangers or otherwise, shall be provded from the Institute?... .'

The school at Lea, close to Florence Nightingale's childhood home, had been a favourite charity of her parents before her. Mr Nightingale had written to his wife in 1832 to tell her that 'Large sums of money have been paid to your schoolmistress for many praiseworthy purposes, who works con amore in looking after the whole population, young and old'. [See The Life of Florence Nightingale, by E.T. Cook, vol. 1, page 14]. When Florence's allowance had been increased, consequent to the marriage of her sister in 1861, she immediately gave £500 for the improvement of the school.
[No: 21318]