ALS signed “Your and the soldiers’ ever faithful servant, Florence Nightingale,” one page both sides, 8 x 10, September 3, 1878. Handwritten letter in support of a charitable cause, in part: "I send with the very greatest interest my poor little promised £10 for your blessed Soldier's Institute at Portsmouth. I picture to myself your comfortable rooms & refreshments for soul & body, & I wish you 'God speed' from the bottom of my heart. I picture to myself your coffee-shed at the Dock-yard, rejoicing the poor families who disembark, & the decent lodgings taken for them, & I bless God for your great work." The bottom portion of the reverse, which could be detached and in no way affect the main letter, bears a lengthy postscript from Nightingale, who requests anonymity and initials as "F.L.," in part: "Will you excuse my declining to be 'Patroness' as you kindly desire, to your Bazaar in November? It is not that my whole heart is not with you, as I hope you know but I have so many invitations to 'patronizing' that I am compelled to make it a rule not to give me poor name where I cannot give my work." In fine condition, with some light creasing.
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