Reading the Queen's Letter, Scutari Hospital, engraved by Vincent Brooks (1814-85) c.1855 (colour litho)

in December 1854 Queen Victoria wrote a moving letter to the governess of her children, Miss Hildyard, who was in touch with Florence Nightingale, expressing her admiration for the wounded soldiers and asked for her sentiments to be passed on to those in hospital in Scutari: `no one takes a warmer interest, or feels more for their suffering, or admires their courage & heroism more than their Queen'; although the letter was written privately, it was published in the press; the `Queen's Letter' was well received and was copied and distributed among the sick and wounded in Scutari hospital; acquired by Queen Victoria;