Florence Nightingale: The Crimean War: Collected Works of Florence Nightingale, Volume 14

Promotion and Distribution of the Reports

Promotion and Distribution of the Reports N ightingale made arrangements for copies of the royal commission report to be sent to key individuals, some with a view to getting a favourable review written, some simply for information . A great deal of care was taken in matching the right reviewer with the right periodical for the best readership.1 Well-placed reviews helped in building favourable public opinion, which was an essential step in the campaign for reform. The order in which copies went out can be seen as something of a list of Nightingale’s debts: the first went to McNeill, who had assisted so much in the work’s preparation; the second to the leading sanitarian , Edwin Chadwick; the third to Lord Shaftesbury, who had raised the alarm in Parliament which led to the sanitary commission’s being sent. Then there are doctors, Crimean colleagues, clergy and other opinion leaders. A letter by A.H. Clough to Nightingale passed on the following information : Dasent2 of the Times spoke to me on Saturday about Mr Herbert’s report and the subject of barracks. As soon as it appears, he said they would put into good hands—only they must try and get an early copy, for which it seemed to be his purpose that they should apply to Mr Herbert himself. Of course I could say nothing to that, all my discourse having been the importance of the subject and the necessity of waiting for the information contained in the report. He spoke very highly of Mr Herbert, but their information appears to be that Lord Panmure has no sort of intention of resigning for the next two years. 1 A copy of the review was sent to Dr Little on 12 October 1858, Wellcome Ms 5482/27. 2 Presumably Irwin Dasent (1859-1939), nephew and biographer of the editor , John Thadeus Delane. / 975 Nothing came from the printers on Saturday, but I hope something will come to go with this.3 Correspondence on other issues intervenes at places in this section, notably on the implementation of recommendations. Correspondence with Harriet Martineau on the promotion of the work has been kept together in one section. Source: From a letter to Edwin Chadwick, Add Mss 45770 ff8-9, and University of Liverpool 11 February 1858 You kindly said that we might call upon you for help whenever we wanted it. The report of the Royal Commission on the Sanitary State of the Army is printed, though not yet distributed. We want a review, and we want you to write it, and in the Westminster [Review] (which is now most read) and for the next number if possible. But, above all, we want to be reviewed by no one but you. I would send you the report instantly, if you would allow me, or if you are in London, might I see you? Source: From two letters to Sidney Herbert, Wiltshire County Record Office, Pembroke Collection 2057/F4/67 11 February 1858 If you have regard for the different styles of the reviews, you should not have Lord Stanley for the Westminster. Lord Stanley will write so as to make people think—only Chadwick will write so as to make them do. Lord Stanley will take your facts and reproduce them out of their proper proportions, and though he will make a good popular article, he will never make a good practical one. The Westminster handles these subjects and disposes of them practically . The Quarterly only munches them as an ass does thistles. I know nothing against Chadwick as a publicist. As an administrator he is detestable—but he is the only man in Europe who could handle your report as it ought to be handled. I had written to him as soon as I received Mrs Herbert’s note last night. And though I do not think that compromises you to anything, I should be very sorry I confess to see Lord Stanley in the Westminster. 3 Letter to Nightingale 18 January 1858, Wiltshire County Archives, Pembroke Collection 2057/F4/67. 976 / Florence Nightingale: The Crimean War Do not have Winter—he is a mere medical man and will produce a mere medical article. If Farr can’t do it himself, which he can, have Lord Stanley for the Quarterly and Farr for theMedico-Chirurgical Review. Howell shall be seen tomorrow for the Edinburgh—he is in town. Kingsley...