Letter from Anna Maria Hall, London, to Mary Howitt, 1855 : autograph manuscript signed.

Concerning the letter she has written to Miss Burdett-Coutts asking for her help for the Nightingale Fund; saying "I had some circulars printed - but they look so ugly - and there is something fresh to think of, or to tell, in almost every letter - so that until all is en train, I must just write on - and I have been so encouraged in fact when once fairly laid before the public - the thing will work itself - Lady Canning, from whom I heard again this morning is quite eager to lay it before the Queen on Her Majesty's return - Lady Pollock also wrote me - she would help - & gives £5 - that is my first declared subscription. I hardly dared venture to write Miss Coutts - I real do love her, and it is so difficult to write any one you do truly admire without forgetting the form necessary towards what is called "a personal stranger" - she can help the thing wonderfully - more even by influence than by gold - I tried twice - & at last sent off my letter to her - please do what you can with her & her rich friends - I sent out several hundred collecting cards when I was working for the Consumption Hospital and some returned with shillings - some with pounds - & I really think we must do so now - they will work during the winter - & then in the spring a public Meeting - I do not think there is a pulpit would refuse a Sermon (two hours promised) or a Theatre a benefit - I hope I may live to see the Hospital built, - the one I have named had a much smaller commencement and see how the grain of mustard seed, has grown into a great tree - Miss Nightingale will of course begin her Hospital by training nurses - but I hope she will not end there - I hope long before the expiration of this Century - we shall have no Man Midwives - however the first Step will be the most important. Miss Nightingale has elevated the character of her sex in the eyes of the world - and for that alone we owe her a deep debt of gratitude - who now can dispute the fitness of women for such duties - and what a noble & dignified field it opens for women - who perhaps devoid of what we call accomplishments - have yet heads & hearts & hands fit for high & holy work - I have wept my eyes out over the records of those noble creatures - I can well understand you & dear Annie thinking the very thoughts that wafted Miss Nightingale & her glorious band over the Sea;" adding, in a postscript, "I constantly meet Miss Coutts in Society - but I never sought an introduction - She must be so bored by people - & I never yet paid a first visit to any one in a higher position than ourselves."