ナイチンゲール自筆書簡3点のテキストは、極東書店：「稀覯資料コレクション：FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE」目録より抜粋したものになります
１.「ナイチンゲール自筆書簡」 1881年4月28日付
NIGHTINGALE, Florence. Autograph letter signed to Constance, Marchioness of Lothian. On the headed notepaper of 10, South Street, Park Lane. Dated April 28, 1881.
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"Dear Lady Lothian, Words seem so poor if I may tell you how I give St. Pancras joy and bless God that you are going to serve his poor as Guardian. It is such a great and brave thing to do. I should be impertinent if I were to say how noble a thing it is. These are deeds, not words. If you knew what the Guardians of St. Pancras were 20 years ago, you would not be surprised that one feels: “this is the true progress of the World:” (and thanks god for it): When one, like you, takes to replacing the old guardians may your shadow and that of other ladies never be less!...When the ex-Viceroy of India, Lord Lawrence, was the first chairman of the London School Board, one could not but feel that crowded with great deeds as his life had been, this was not far from being the greatest. And the fear of being intrusive only prevents one from saying something similar about the new Lady Guardian of St. Pancras. This is the true way to serve the poor. And if for every bushel of words about Women‘s Rights and Women’s Suffering etc. etc. etc. we had a grain of such true wheat, the world would not be far from the “Kingdom of Heaven,”; I trust that there will soon be great changes in the St. Pancras Workhouse Infirmary, your erring child. I am sure you will be glad that we have undertaken the nursing of Marylebone New Infirmary. Forgive me. And believe me ever your faithful servt. Florence Nightingale."
２.「ナイチンゲール自筆書簡」 1881年6月23日付
NIGHTINGALE, Florence. Autograph letter signed to Constance, Marchioness of Lothian. On the headed notepaper of 10 South Street, Park Lane and dated June 23, 1881.
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“I give you joy at your having been able to bring about so great an object as that of ”the staff at St., Pancras Workhouse.“ I presume this means a new ”Nursing“ Staff. I am overjoyed at so great a reform, or rather underjoyed, for no joy can come up to it. Most willingly would I do my poor best to help you as you desire. But I have scarcely a moment. In addition to my usual work - We are about as perhaps you know, to nurse the New St. Marylebone Infirmary, and I have to see each of these women one by one alone for 3 or 4 hours and all must be in by Tuesday next. Wednesday or Thursday in the next week are the only days I have not fully filled up. I will try to put off some one so as to have half an hour tomorrow (Friday) as you propose. At 5 o'clock if you will allow me to send you word (whether I can manage it) tomorrow. But I am afraid I cannot be of much use in one conversation. It could only be to hear what you propose, and then afterwards to consider it over. [I am by no means quick at planning without consideration.] Or if you could send me in writing what you propose I would consider it before I see you. But then I, please, must have it the night before: because before 7.30 in the morning is the only time I have to do these things. Excuse great haste, And believe me, Ever your faithful servt, Florence Nightingale."
３.「ナイチンゲール自筆書簡」 1890年9月24日付
NIGHTINGALE, Florence. Fine autograph letters signed. To Arthur Clough, from Claydon House, Winslow, Bucks. Dated Sept. 24, 1890. On social subjects including the New Education Code and Boys Homes. 10pp octavo c. 1,000 words. In fine condition. with First four pages of an ALS from Arthur Clough in reply dated Sept. 27th.
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Dearest Arthur,
It is a long time since I have heard of or from you. And I think you have a letter of mine still. Nevertheless, to begin again [two lines crossed out]:
The world is at great cross-purposes, but nevertheless one in which we can work out purposes, greatly to its benefit.
I enclose two letters, rather old, from Mr Wildgoose and School-Master Burton.
Uncle Shore, who has seen these letters, thinks very well of Burton's tone in the school and is "glad that the old rascal Sims' money will go for so good a purpose as clearing up their school."
Mr Wildgoose thinks very highly of Burton. You see, Uncle Shore was "greatly surprised at the ages of the pupils in Science. He is most plucky," he thinks, of people over 30 years of age to go in for these examinations, as well as Physiography.
(My dear, what is "Physiography"? Please tell an old ignoramus like me.) "Must be drawing," he hopes, than which to my mind there is nothing more useful.
My dear Arthur, do tell me what the gist of the "New Code" is. I have asked several people without success. But you are a mine of well-digested information, turning coal into gems.
Uncle Shore has "some idea it is less narrow and more liberal than the old one, and if you must have this artificial education, this ought to be an improvement."
Uncle Shore says he is "sure from what he saw that Mr Burton is a born steam engineer for the purpose at any rate, and most effective."
Uncle Shore "supposes" that Burton goes in "for these Science examinations himself" [Does he? F. N.], "in order to encourage the others, which is very good of him, as they would naturally take it for granted that he could pass them. It shows how he identifies himself with them in it all, which must give him a hold over them."
What say you about this?
I have another letter from Burton which I will send you, dear boy, when I know that you will like it.
I have made the acquaintance of one of the most "telling" workers I ever knew, about whom I dare say you know more than I do—a Mr Devine of Manchester, a man still in his twenties, who after having founded the Boys' Clubs, numbering now 7000–8000 members in Manchester, took into his house at his own expense 40–60 boys brought for a first offence before the police courts which he attends for the purpose.
He loves these boys (whom he is, of course, constantly sending out to places) as an elder brother. It is not enthusiasm. It is downright love of the boys.
[Sir Harry kindly asked him here. When will you come? You promised to come.]
Mr Devine, of course, works the "First Offenders' Act." But it is not so much for that that I mention him now but because he has been the means of establishing several Boys Clubs in London,—one which I should be glad to know more of, if you would kindly visit and tell me.
It is that of a Mr Purdie (he was a Cambridge man: perhaps you know him). He has taken a large deserted house at 49 Hillmarton Road, Holloway N. furnished two rooms for himself where he lives when not at Cambridge. The house he has fitted up as a Boys' Club.
He has 200 boys—after school till 9.30 pm, all day Saturdays and Sundays and holidays (he gives them Sunday Classes). The boys wash and put on dry clothes after school. They have a gymnasium. They read, play games, are taught drawing and map drawing. They do their home lessons—have music, magic lantern, Cricket and football, baths. Go out with him on bicycles into country.
When he first took the house, Mr Purdie wanted to paint and white was it from head to foot. Mr Devine said to him, "No: it must be your and the boy's Club." They had a great tea—explained it to the boys—and the boys did all the painting and white washing themselves and some of the Carpentering—Mr Purdie finding only materials and supervision.
Now, when a new boy puts his dirty fingers on the paint, an old boy said, "You mustn't do that: I painted that."
I believe there are many Boy's clubs now in London. But does the Gentleman live in them and with the boys?
[I have heard one of these gentleman say he was quite grieved at the smoking, the noise, the indiscipline, the rudeness of the Toynbee Boys' Club.]
Dear Arthur, I must stop. There is much difficulty in writing here—a good deal to do. Sir Harry is wonderfully active but his health varies greatly.
When will you come? Hoping to see you soon, both here and in London.
Ever your loving,
Aunt Florence.
They will be very full here till next Tuesday. There are are 6 Grandchildren and 2 young people now in the house.
You know Louise has been most successfully doing guardian to 2 Siamese princelets for a month thro Scotland.
Excuse a disconnected letter.
In his reply Arthur Clough tries to give Florence Nightingale some of the answers she wanted on the New Educational Code:
"You ask me about the New Code. I don't myself think that the alterations in it make any great change. Ironically the main difference is that the children are not necessarily to be examined individually, for a grant paid on their passes; but, if the managers desire it, the school will be examined by sample; and the grant will in any case be paid on the Inspector's general impression and will be much less variable in amount.
Really I think the great difference will be that instructions have been issued to the inspectors to deal with schools and schoolmasters less suspiciously and rigorously. How far this change will be accomplished (and how it will work, for many masters are untrustworthy) it is impossible to say at present. There is however very general satisfaction at the prospect amongst the teachers."