Difficulties did arise in plenty, but Miss Nightingale was sometimes peremptory, and at other times showed herself a master in the gentle art of managing committees:--
(_To Madame Mohl._) 1 UPPER HARLEY ST., _August_ 20.... Clarkey dear, I would write, but I can't. I have had to prepare this immense house for patients in ten days--without a bit of help but only hindrance from my Committee. If M. Mohl would write a book upon English societies, I would supply him with such Statistics as would astonish even him. But it's no use talking about these things, and I've no time. I have been "in service" ten days, and have had to furnish an entirely empty house in that time. We take in patients this Monday, and have not got our workmen out yet.
My Committee refused me to take in _Catholic_ patients--whereupon I wished them good-morning, unless I might take in Jews and their Rabbis to attend them. So now it is settled, and _in print_, that we are to take in all denominations whatever, and allow them to be visited by their respective priests and Muftis, provided _I_ will receive (in any case _whatsoever_ that is _not_ of the Church of England) the obnoxious animal at the door, take him upstairs myself, remain while he is conferring with his patient, make myself _responsible_ that he does not speak to, or look at, _any one else_, and bring him downstairs again in a noose, and out into the street. And to this I have agreed! And this is in print!
Amen. From Committees, charity, and Schism--from the Church of England and all other deadly sin--from philanthropy and all the deceits of the Devil, Good Lord, deliver us.
In great haste, ever yours overflowingly. It will do me so much good to see a good man again.
(_To her Father._) 1 UPPER HARLEY ST., _December_ 3 [1853]. DEAR PAPA--You ask for my observations upon _my_ line of statesmanship. I have been so very busy that I have scarcely made any résumé in my own mind, but upon doing so now for your benefit, I perceive:--
When I entered into service here, I determined that, happen what would, I _never_ would intrigue among the Committee. Now I perceive that I do all my business by intrigue. I propose in private to A, B, or C the resolution I think A, B, or C most capable of carrying in committee, and then leave it to them, and I always win.