Page:Notes on Nursing What It Is, and What It Is Not.djvu/21

Rh and this without the possession of positive beauty; it is a face not easily forgotten, — pleasing in its smile, with an eye betokening great self-possession, and giving, when she wishes, a quiet look of firm determination to every feature. Her general demeanor is quiet, and rather reserved; still, I am much mistaken if she is not gifted with a very lively sense of the ridiculous. In conversation, she speaks on matters of business with a grave earnestness I should not expect from her appearance. She has evidently a mind disciplined to restrain, under the principles of the action of the moment, every feeling which would interfere with it. She has trained herself to command, and learned the value of conciliation towards others, and constraint over herself. She seems to understand business thoroughly. Her nerve is wonderful. I have been with her at very severe operations; she was more than equal to the trial."

In April Miss Nightingale lost a very dear personal friend, one of the nurses, a young and amiable lady named Miss Smythe. This lady had commenced her occupation as nurse at Scutari, but, being requested to join Miss Bracebridge at Kululee, — which was on the Asiatic side of the Bosphorus, five miles from Scutari, — she left for that place, much regretted by Miss Nightingale, who said she hoped that they would have labored together in the same hospital. Shortly after her arrival she was attacked by fever, and died deeply mourned.

Miss Nightingale's firm, systematic, and energetic thoughtfulness at length gained its way, and she had the satisfaction of seeing that the most important part of her work at Scutari was accomplished. She accordingly repaired to Balaklava, with the view of inspecting its hospitals, arriving there May 4, 1855. There she examined the general state of affairs, had new huts erected, kitchens built, and vigorous organization instituted; but no sooner were all these matters arranged than the long-continued arduous exertions which she had undergone told on her system. Her delicate and fragile frame was attacked by Crimean fever; and, completely prostrated, she was carried up to the hut-hospital on the heights.

For a fortnight the fever continued its hold; but at the end of that time Florence Nightingale rose, weak, yet pronounced out of danger, from her sick bed. She was earnestly entreated to return to England; but no persuasion could induce her to quit her post, or to proceed further than Scutari. Too well she knew that her presence on that sad spot was still urgently needed. She left Balaklava for Scutari, June 6; Lord Ward placing his steam yacht at her disposal, that she might have the advantage of change of air in sea excursions to recruit her strength. So exhausted was she that she had to be carried down to the vessel, tenderly and reverently in the arms of the men, amidst their heartfelt prayers for her speedy recovery.

Miss Nightingale's efforts for the poor fellows in the hospitals did not terminate with their death; for on her return to Scutari she originated a scheme for erecting a monument to the brave men who had died during the winter. This memorial has been only recently completed, and now towers in gloomy grandeur above the surrounding graves of our British heroes. It is simple and massive; a square base, surmounted by four figures of angels with drooping wings, who support a tapering shaft, which rises towards the sky. In four different languages on each side of the base is this inscription: —

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