Drawn up by F. N. in consultation doubtless with the medical officers.
(92) “A Water Arrival in India. By a Commissioner.” An article, signed “F. N.,” in Good Words, July 1878, pp. 493–496.
Describing, in the language as of a Royal Progress, the opening of the Kana Nuddee (Blind River) in the Hooghly District.
(93) Opinions of Women on Women's Suffrage. A leaflet (8vo, pp. 4, printed by A. Ireland & Co., Manchester); Florence Nightingale's opinion (dated July 1878) occupies p. 1:—
You ask me to give my reasons for wishing for the suffrage for women householders and women ratepayers. I have no reasons. The Indian ryot should be represented so that the people may virtually rate themselves according to the surveys of what is wanted, and spend the money locally under certain orders of an elected board. If this is the case: that we wish to give to the Indian native, peasant and Zemindar alike, such local representation as we can in spending the taxes he pays, is the educated English taxpayer, of whichever sex, to be excluded from a share in electing the Imperial representatives? It seems a first principle, an axiom: that every householder or taxpayer should have a voice in electing those who spend the money we pay, including, as this does, interests the most vital to a human being—for instance, education. At the same time I do not expect much from it, for I do not see that, for instance in America, where suffrage is, I suppose, the most extended, there is more (but rather less) of what may truly be called freedom or progress than anywhere else. But there can be no freedom or progress without representation. And we must give women the true education to deserve being represented. Men as well as women are not so well endowed with that preparation at present. And if the persons represented are not worth much, of course the representatives will not be worth much.
(94) “The People of India.” An article in the Nineteenth Century, August 1878, pp. 193–221.
For this article, see above, p. [290].
1879
(95) Letter from Florence Nightingale to the Probationer-Nurses in the “Nightingale Fund” School at St. Thomas's Hospital. Easter, 1879. For Private Use only. Quarto, pp. 4.
This letter, dated “Easter Eve, 1879, 6 A.M.,” was also lithographed in smaller form.