Florence Nightingale's Indian letters : a glimpse into the agitation for tenancy reform, Bengal, 1878-82.

  • Nightingale, Florence, 1820-1910.
Date:
1937
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Florence Nightingale's Indian letters : a glimpse into the agitation for tenancy reform, Bengal, 1878-82. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material is part of the Elmer Belt Florence Nightingale collection. The original may be consulted at University of California Libraries.

    34/100 (page 8)
    It would be of unspeakable importance if you could give us facts, real facts and narratives upon these and similar points. [I would venture to point out the Report on the ''Deccan Riots^^ by the 'Commission' appointed to enquire, as the only official Report from India (I have ever seen) which gi\'es facts and narratives, with name, date and place before the summing up and conclusions in a way that would interest an English public. [I wrote an article on it, in the XIX Century for 'August' last,^* which gives many extracts from it which is very much at your service, if you have not the Report itself at hand.] I venture to suggest this Report as a model for what we are seeking as to the Bengal Peasantry to know. It seems like a Providence that you should have written on this subject and kindly sent it to me at the very time that we were seeking for information on the above points. As you request it, I feel bound to promise, God willing, that, if you will have the great kindness, as you have the power, of writing and sending us the accounts and facts which I venture to suggest to you, I will write a paper upon a subject which I may almost say interests me as much as it does you according to your desire. Should you be kindly willing to collect the facts, but there should arise some difficulty as to the expense of putting them in print, perhaps you will kindly let me know. I had meant to make this letter much longer, by asking questions and dilating on various points connected with the above: but am unable to