Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-26

PA1GNToN, South Devon. England
July g. '
THERE'S one spot in England whose
i scenery is absolutely unrivaled for
beauty and where artists throng by the
hundreds in vain attempt to transfer
It's inimitable coloring to mere canvas
and that Garden of Eden is Paignton,
in Devonshire, beside the sea.
There, amidst the rolling moors with
their purple heather and llfe-giving
ocean breezes Is the American Women's
War Hospital, crowded with wounded
soldiers Some of these are still blinking
In surprise to find themselves in such
an enchanted palace. For the magnificent
home of Mr.. Paris Singer. which forms
the hospital is a regular palace, with its
| stately marble stairways, halls, corri-
dors and statuary, It's priceless paintings
and fabulous furnishings. The glory of
the Louis XIV period has come to life
again there, and one can almost fancy
oneself in the palace at Versailles. The
hospital is the principal expression Of the
work of the American Women's War Re-
lief Fund, which was initiated imme-
dately on the outbreak of war.
AS quickly as possible Oldway House.
the residence of Mr.. Singer, was trans
formed into fully equipped surgical hos
pital with 15 wards, having total capac-
ity of $50 beds. The two units so gener-
ain by the American National Red Cross
Society are working here, and there is an
English matron with a nursing staff of
American and English sisters.
On arriving at the hospital 1 was re-
ceived by the military ,commandant.
Lieutenant Colonel r. C. Cunning, and
the directors, DIR. Howard w. Beal, of
Worcester, Mass. and Doctor Penhallow,
of Boston. We made most interesting
tour of the hospital, and / was particu-
larly struck with the magnlcence of the
building and the bright looks on the faces
of the soldiers. With such women work.
ing heart and soul for them as the Ouch
Mrs. Anthony DreXel, Mrs. Whtelaw
Reid, Mrs. Robert Strawbrldge, Lady
Paget and many others. the place had
success assured at the outset.
Sir William Osler is the consulting ply
sician and there are nine doctors on the
staff. The nurses number Ga. OF these "a
are American sisters, and there is an
equal number of English sisters. The re-
mainder are volunteer nurses.
THE PAGET WARD.
The first ward we visited was the Paget
Ward, magnificent apartment, originally
the ballroom of the house. A great ball
cony runs the whole length of the ward
and out there lay several convalescents,
their heads and arms still bandaged, but
their eyes fixed In sheer content on the
wonderful vista of 20 miles of rolling
moorland with its purple heather and
scented flowers. The smell of honeysuckle |
drifted up and mingled with the smell
of iodoform and carbolic. Down below,
on wide green lawn, some of the nurses
were playing tennis and calling to each |
other, There was no other sound except |
mi In nf haaa nj he 90 49,
murmur of the seat was a veritable
"Yhis is rather different from the
-renches?" I asked one poor fellow whose
cheek and jaw had been shattered by
bursting shrapnel and who was terribly
dishgured.
He smiled happily 'Devonshlre is
said, speaking with difficulty and In the
broad, soft Devonshire tones. But when
I'm better must go back to the trenches
i couldn't rest here If was well again
md able to 60"
MRS. STRAWBRIDGE's BED
In all the wards above every bed / saw
amillar names of American women and
nen. In Mrs, Strawbridge's bed in the
Churchill Ward had been a mere lad
allied Hackett, who had been terribly in
ured at Mons. He fingered for quito
tme, with badly fractured skull, and
nore than one daring operation was per-
ormed upon him. But he was beyond the
each Of human ingenuity and human
cienee and one summer morning passed
eacefully away. Sister Rosanne, a
weet-faced Boston woman told me about
i'm with tears in her pretty eyes. II was
cry fond OF Hackett," she said ''He
'as so pathetically young to die in such
wayl Just a mere ladr'
do you have many deaths?" l asked
'octor Penhallow.
I'VE have only had ave deaths" he
nswered. "and that out of between 1900
nd 140O admissions"
We walked slowly through the other
eautful wards, the Hatfield, the Jean.
he Marlborough. the Leeds and the Mary
urns. The last-named had been the H.
rary In the house, and 1 was struck
18th the wonderful Dutch fireplace and
In bed endowed by Mr.. Har-