80

Florence Nightingale

Autograph Letter Signed, twice (one in third person within the text), to the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos,

describing the work of a former municipal engineer in Calcutta [William Clark (1821-1880)] who had proposed plans to Nightingale for improvements to the water and sewage infrastructure in Madras, expressing hope that the Duke might support the proposal, sending Mr. Clark's address and a pamphlet outlining the proposal [not present]. 8 pages, oblong 8vo, written on recto and verso of 4 sheets; few short closed separations at folds repaired with tissue, faint scattered soiling, few words marked in red pencil in unknown hand.

[London], 22 July 1875.

  • Notes: "I am sure that I, Florence Nightingale, need an introduction to your Grace instead of presuming to give an introduction to you.
    "When I had the great pleasure of a visit from Lady Mary Grenville on the subject of Madras Sanitary things, I mentioned that Mr. Clark, the former Municipality Engineer of Calcutta, was at Madras, in order to report upon the same class of work, viz., Drainage & Water supply—for Madras: even more needed there than at Calcutta: and at Lady Mary Grenville's desire, I wrote down Mr. Clark's name: & what he had done. I did not then know that Mr. Clark had returned to England: and it is at Sir Bartle Frere's desire: who thought it possible that Your Grace might wish to see Mr. Clark before your departure for Madras: that I now venture to write, mentioning what has been done: & the necessity for doing more: so that the work, if it enlisted your interest & approbation, might possibly be carried out during your Government.
    "It is almost an impertinence of me to point out to one so conversant with Administration & even with Engineering: that, Madras having now a water supply, draining must be proceeded with in order to free the subsoil & the Cooum [River] from sewage: & to drain away their added water supply.
    "Mr. Clark has—after being sent to Madras at the request of the Madras Government, for a minute investigation on the spot—prepared a scheme for draining the City & disposing of the Sewage: And without pledging my impertinence to Engineering details which indeed I have no means of estimating—Mr. Clark's great experience, the knowledge of what he has done at Calcutta & of the striking improvement in the Public Health which has followed his Drainage works there—may very safely bespeak your Grace's kind consideration for Mr. Clark's proposed Madras scheme: & for any countenance which you may be willing to give this Municipality work.
    "Increasing knowledge of Indian fevers has led to the discovery that the most fatal forms among Europeans are of typhoid character—just as they are at home in undrained filthy districts--& that they are to be eradicated in India by the same methods of procedure as in England, & that thus Sanitary Engineering in both countries aims at the same Fever-stamping-out work. . . .
    "Mr. Clark gave me a copy of his plans: and he would of course be only too much honoured if he were permitted to lay them at your Grace's feet: & explain them himself.
    "And the very best chance they have of being fairly considered & steadily persevered in by the Madras people is that the Duke of Buckingham should be interested in them. Perhaps he might even consider them as the best Chandos legacy—or one of the best that could be left of even his fruitful Pro consulate-to-be. . . ."
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