The Penn's Grove record., 1882-06-24
Florence Nightingale's Firm
ness.

There were nine hundred wounded,
who were at once sent to the hospital
at Scutari. Miss Nightingale had ar
rived there with her bevy of lady
nurses. Her first act showed her won
derfHl energy and determination. The
steamers laden with the wounded had
cast anchor at Constantinople. There
were not yet any mattresses or bed
clothes on the camp beds in the hos
pital, and the latter were not nearly
sufficient in number for the wounded
coming. Miss Nightingale went to
the Quartermaster Sergeant in charge
of the stores, and asked him for the
stores which she required. He told
her there was everything che could
desire in the magazines, but that she
must get the Inspector General of
Hospitals to write an official letter to
the Quartermaster General, who
would send him an authority to draw
the stores, and that she, might then
receive them IN showing that author
ity. Miss Nightingale asked how
longthis would take. On being toldthat
three days would be the shortest time
necessary for the correspondence, she
answered that nine hundred wounded
officers and men would be in the hos
pital In three hours, and that she
must have what they required imme-
diately. She then went to the maya
zines, and telling the sergeant of the
guard there who she was, asked him
if he could take an order from her.
He said he would, and size ordered
him to dive in the door. This was
done, and the wounded were provided
for in time.
Her frmness at surgical operations
was something marvellous; her appre-
citation of her mission was grand. She
stood n day with spirits, instruments
and lint in hand, during the perform
ing of a frightful amputatioD. Half q
dozen young lady nurses were behind
her, holding basins, towels and other
things the Surgeons might want. A
narrowing gfosn from the patieat sud
denly put Them all to flight, except
Miss Nightingale, who turning calmly
round called TO them, Come back !
shame on you as Christians shame
on you as women ~ They returned
holding each others trembling hands
and some Of them almost ready to
faint. But they got over their ner-
vous weakness as theft novitiate adj
vanced, and did an amount of good
that yet lives in the memory of many
a man rescued from death and paid by
their gentle mi%nistration.
Miss Nightingale's work was duly
appreciated. AT large dinner-party
given by sLasd Stratford, when peace
had been made, to the superior officers
of the army, and navy, Miss Nightin-
gale was also among the guests. When
the ladies had withdrawn, the ambas-
sador made a speech recording the
services rendered by those present,
and gracefully abiding to the part
played by her. Where / was sitting
aattering remarks were made on the
conduct of those whom Lord Stratford
had so warmly praised. 1t was at last
proposed that everyone should write
on a slip of paper the name which APP
peared to him most likely to descend
to posterity with o The names
were written and given to the proposer
of this benevolent form of ostracism.
The papers were opened and read
everyone of them contained the name
of Miss Nightingale. An enthusiast
tic cheer was raised, in which the
two commandersin chief, Sir Will
liam C~odrington, of the army, and
Lord Lyons ofthe navy, were among
the most clamorous In their applause,
Lord Stratford leading the hurrah.