So, on the 15th October, 1854, he asked her to go to the Crimea to take entire charge of the nursing arrangements; and in less than a week she started with about forty nurses for Scutari, the town where the great hospital was situated.

All Britain was stirred with admiration at her heroism; for it was well known how difficult was the task she was undertaking.  But the quiet gentle woman herself feared neither death, disease nor hard work; the only thing she did not like was the fuss the people made about her.

Scutari, whither she went, is situated on the eastern side of the Bosphorus, opposite Constantinople.  Thither the sick and wounded soldiers were being brought by hundreds.  It took four or five days to get them from the field of battle to the hospital, their wounds during that tame being generally unattended to.  When they arrived at Scutari, it was difficult to land them; after that there was a steep hill up which they had to be carried to the hospital, so that by the time they arrived they were generally in a sad condition.  But their trials were not over then.  The hospital was dirty and dismal.  There was no proper provision for the supply of suitable food, everything was in dire disorder, and the poor fellows died of fever in enormous numbers.

But “the lady with the lamp” soon brought about a revolution; and the soldiers knew to their joy what it was to have proper nursing.  No wonder the men kissed her shadow!  Wherever the worst cases were to be found there was Florence Nightingale.  Day and night she watched and waited, worked and prayed.  Her very presence was medicine and food and light to the soldiers.

Gradually disorder disappeared, and deaths became fewer day by day.  Good nursing; care and cleanliness; nourishing food, and—­perhaps beyond and above all—­love and tenderness, wrought wonders.  The oath in the soldier’s mouth turned to a prayer at her appearance.

Though the beds extended over a space equal to four miles, yet each man knew that all that human strength could do to forward his recovery was being done.

Before her task was finished Miss Nightingale had taken the fever herself, but her life was mercifully spared.

Since those days, Florence Nightingale has done many kindly and noble deeds.  She has always lived as much out of the public sight as possible, though her work has rendered her dear to all hearts.

Though she has had much ill health herself, she has been able to accomplish a splendid life’s work, and to advance the study of nursing in all parts of the globe.

FOR ENGLAND, HOME, AND DUTY.

THE DEATH OF NELSON.

It was the 21st October, 1805.  The English fleet had been for many days lying off the coast of Spain, eagerly waiting for the navies of France and Spain to leave their shelter in Cadiz harbour.  At length, to his joy, Lord Nelson received the signal that they had put out to sea; and he now prepared to attack the combined fleet (which consisted of forty vessels) with his thirty-one ships.  Yet, though the enemy not only had more vessels, but they were larger than his own, Nelson confidently expected victory, and told Captain Blackwood he would not be satisfied unless he captured twenty ships.  Having made all arrangements, Nelson went down to his cabin and wrote this prayer:—­