A.22 Partial letter from Nightingale--no salutation, Pen, handwritten by Nightingale, dated Aug. 18/70 [8:577] I continue to have the most deplorable accounts of the distress, terror & bewilderment, tho' quite calm, & not fermenting, of the provinces (France) -- [They write to me for plans of the Field Hut Hospitals.] The country people who thro' the Sub-Prefectures had given largely wine, corn, horses, linen, &c. to the Ministères (Intérieur & Guerre) think, rightly or wrongly, that their gifts are sold by the Trésor for the general purposes of the War & the Govt -- They now keep their gifts for their widows & orphans, the destitute wives & children, & any sick & wounded who may be sent to them. There are Ladies' Committees collecting gifts -- & tendering help all over France & Germany -- only not with us. fLORENCE NIGHTINGALE