The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21
NIGHTINGALE
..,yhene'cr a noble deed is wrought,
Whenever is spoken "a noble thought.
our hearts in glad surprise
g.. r.ic
To higher lcVcIs T!Se.

Longfelow's testimony to the ennob-
ling influence of great words and &C
ticns was inspired by the splendid deNo-
ton and heroi III of the LADY III chatsc
of the nurses during the Srimeal war
The cuIogy was evoked by 10 isolated
or barren achievement. put by pe,s s.1,-
ent devotion aud daily herossm. which
not only challenged the admiration OF
the world at the time. but continues 10
,-ield an cver-increasing harvest OF
benevolence and good. IN the Illus
t,ious roll of those who have conferred
the greatest benefits on humanity me
name Of 1'lrerce Nightingale viii ever
occupy a prominent place. Tor she sur
masses all other women III the highest
rrerogative OF the sex-that Of Il mir
ister;ng angel In the presence of SUI
fcring Miss Nightingale, who takes the
name of Florence from The famous city
In which. on May -, $50 she Was bcrn'
was the daughter Of Mr. William Night
.ngale. al English country gentleman
OF wealth and position-her maternal
grandfather was the weii-kncwn abo-
lIt;onist. Mr. William Smith. NJ. p, for
Ncrwicfi. enlightened phlanthrophy
may therefore be said to haze come 10
her as 4 birthrieht.
TYIE EARLY HOME
The traveller in Derbyshrc cannot
PASS through the beautiful and romantic
SCENERY of tho Valley of the Derwent
without having his attention directed
to lea Hurst. an EiiZabetnan mansion.
both stately and comfortable. enc Oh
those country homes in which the best
traditions of The British race were en-
.,hr;ned; in this training ground Of
heroic ENGLAND where the high Ideals
OF unfinchinG courage and devotion to
duty We're inbibed as freely as the ar
Of Heaven. The childhood 1no youth OF
Florence Nightingale were nurtn:sa.
MI. Nightingale. himself = scholar, Giu
not share tne shallow views of the DAY
with regard TO wonan's training: he
was one If the early advocates of a
,.ene.cus education for both sexes IN
der his guidance Nj :, Nightingale rapid
ly became proficient in an unusually
wide range OF subjects, Including the
liberal arts and modern languages. At
her feet. when entering unon woman
hood equipped with these advantages or
birth and culture. lay the world With
Ill the allu-emeats which present them
.,e!vee,. to a being exceptionally endowed
with beauty. wealth. spirit and inte!il-
;:ence. But life of ease and ENJOY
,aent was not the goal TO which Mss
Nightingale asp!red. Her great gifts
were turned to no individual or selfish
enns. they were regarded a. taehts neio
tn trust FOR the benefit of her fellow
creatures Tho call to the higher life
Of ministration had already sounded in
her ears Even in girlhood 4 deep cur
rent Of sympathy with. suffering Fad
!mpelled her to minister to the wants
OF the sick and poor In the neighp2r-
hood OF her homo. Everything di pensed
from her hands seemed to be charged
wieh some subtle power Of healing. end
TO bring with 1t blessing. There was
never a moments doubt as to her vo-
cation-sickness and suffering were
clearly marked out as the fields in
which 1t was her manifest destiny to
labor, At an age when the minds of
riost girls are set on CONQUEST and en-
]. aoynent, Florence Nigh tneale went
forth IN the spirit OF great rsnurcia-
ton from all the pleasures and luxnries
OF wealth to- equip herself. under the
guidance OF the Divinity that shapes
our ends. for the great task that has
crowned her name with honor. and has
raised all wonanhood to higher plane
az EseEnIness and activity. After seye-