The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-11-01

SUNDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER l, 1883.
The following letter from Florence Nightingale
contains some interesting reflections upon the
question of woman's work:

The following letter from Florence Nightingale
contains some interesting reflections upon the
question of woman's work:
LONDON, September Is, 1868.
To Lsmuel Ross:
My Deer sS-I could not do what you asked
me to do In your kind letter of July IL, viz give
you information about my own life; though IL
could il would be to show how a woman of yer
ordinary ability has been led by Colby strange
and unaccustomed paths-to do In His service
what He did In hers. And ii could tell you all
YOU would see how God has done all and nothing.
I,hsve worked hard, very hafd-that is all-lnd
have never refused God anything; though being
naturally very shy person, most of my life has
been distss s to me: i have no peculiar gfts.
will but try TO walk, she will soon be able to run
the appointed course" Bat then she must first
learn TO walk, and so when she runs she must run
with patience. Most people don't even try to
wslk.) rI-.'
lat. But would also say to all young ladies
who are called to any peculiar vocation, qualify
yourselves for II as man does for his work.
Don't think you can undertake II otherwise. No
one should attempt to teach the Greek language
until he is master Of the language; and this ne
cannot become only by hard study.
I'd. II you are called to mans work, do not ex-
act a woman's privieges-ths privilege Of mae.
81 pess q do
which alone you can make Gods business sue.
coed for He has never said that He will give His
success and His blessing to ineficiency, to sketch
ing and unfinished work.
Sd. II has happened to me more than once to be
told by women (your countrywomen), Eyes, hat
you had personal freedom" Nothing can well be
further from the truth. l question whether God
has ever brought any one through more difficult
ties and contradictions than / have had. But
imagine these exist less among you than among
u.s. so will say no more.
4th. But to all women would say, look upon
your work, whether 1t be an accustomed or an
unaccustomed work, as upon trust confded to
you. This will keep you alike from discourage
ment and from presumption, from idleness and
from overtaxing yourself. Where God leads the
way he has bound himself to help you to 60 the
way 90 aHlTs
have been nine years confined prisoner to my
room froIn Illness and overwhelmed with business.
Had more baltimore Of the faith which pro-
fess-I should not say" overwhelmed" for ii Is al
business sent me by God. And am really thank
full TO Him, though my sorrows have been deep
and many, that he still makes me to do His bust
ness.) rf
This must be my excuse for not having answer
cd your questions before.
Nothing with the approval Of my own judgment
has been made public. or would send it. have
strong objection 10 sending my own likeness for
the same reason. Some Of the most valuable works
the world has ever seen, We know not who Is the
author of; we only know that God il the author
of all. do not urge this example upon others
but it Is q deep seated religious scrupe in myself
do not wish my name to remain. nor my like
ness. That God alone should be remembered,
wish.
If could not really give the lessons Of my life
to my counrywomen and yours Indeed, fam
look upon us all one nation)-the lessons OF my
mistakes as well as Of the rest-I would but for
this there is no time. ! would say woodwork in
silence at first, in silence for yearsit will not be
time wasted. Perhaps in all your life it will be
the time you will afterwards find TO have been
best spent; and it is very certain that without II
you will be no worker. You will not produce one
"perfect work." but only botch In the service
food.
Pray believe me, my dear sir, with great truth
ever your faithful servant,
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE.
Have you read Bakers Sources of the Nile,
where he says he was more like a donkey than an
explorer! That is much my case, and believe
il that of ell who have 10 do any unusual work
And would especially guard young ladies from
fancyipg themselves like lady superiors, with an
obsequious following of disciples. If they under.
take any great work.