第4章

Whatwasthatsecretvoiceinherear，ifitwasnotacall？Whyhadshefelt，fromherearliestyears，thosemysteriouspromptingstowards……shehardlyknewwhat，butcertainlytowardssomethingverydifferentfromanythingaroundher？Why，asachildinthenursery，whenhersisterhadshownahealthypleasureintearingherdollstopieces，hadSHEshownanalmostmorbidoneinsewingthemupagain？Whywasshedrivennowtoministertothepoorintheircottages，towatchbysick-beds，toputherdog’swoundedpawintoelaboratesplintsasifitwasahumanbeing？WhywasherheadfilledwithqueerimaginationsofthecountryhouseatEmbleyturned，bysomeenchantment，intoahospital，withherselfasmatronmovingaboutamongthebeds？Whywasevenhervisionofheavenitselffilledwithsufferingpatientstowhomshewasbeinguseful？Soshedreamedandwondered，and，takingoutherdiary，shepouredintoittheagitationsofhersoul。Andthenthebellrang，anditwastimetogoanddressfordinner。

Astheyearspassed，arestlessnessbegantogrowuponher。Shewasunhappy，andatlastsheknewit。Mrs。Nightingale，too，begantonoticethattherewassomethingwrong。Itwasveryodd——

whatcouldbethematterwithdearFlo？Mr。Nightingalesuggestedthatahusbandmightbeadvisable；butthecuriousthingwasthatsheseemedtotakenointerestinhusbands。Andwithherattractions，andheraccomplishments，too！Therewasnothingintheworldtopreventhermakingareallybrilliantmatch。Butno！

ShewouldthinkofnothingbuthowtosatisfythatsingularcravingofherstobeDOINGsomething。Asiftherewasnotplentytodoinanycase，intheordinaryway，athome。Therewasthechinatolookafter，andtherewasherfathertobereadtoafterdinner。Mrs。Nightingalecouldnotunderstandit；andthenonedayherperplexitywaschangedtoconsternationandalarm。

FlorenceannouncedanextremedesiretogotoSalisburyHospitalforseveralmonthsasanurse；andsheconfessedtosomevisionaryplanofeventuallysettingupinahouseofherowninaneighbouringvillage，andtherefounding’somethinglikeaProtestantSisterhood，withoutvows，forwomenofeducatedfeelings’。Thewholeschemewassummarilybrushedasideaspreposterous；andMrs。Nightingale，afterthefirstshockofterror，wasabletosettledownagainmoreorlesscomfortablytoherembroidery。ButFlorence，whowasnowtwenty-fiveandfeltthatthedreamofherlifehadbeenshattered，cameneartodesperation。

And，indeed，thedifficultiesinherpathweregreat。Fornotonlywasitanalmostunimaginablethinginthosedaysforawomanofmeanstomakeherownwayintheworldandtoliveinindependence，buttheparticularprofessionforwhichFlorencewasclearlymarkedoutbothbyherinstinctsandhercapacitieswasatthattimeapeculiarlydisreputableone。A’nurse’meantthenacoarseoldwoman，alwaysignorant，usuallydirty，oftenbrutal，aMrs。Gamp，inbunched-upsordidgarments，tipplingatthebrandybottleorindulginginworseirregularities。Thenursesinthehospitalswereespeciallynotoriousforimmoralconduct；sobrietywasalmostunknownamongthem；andtheycouldhardlybetrustedtocarryoutthesimplestmedicalduties。

Certainly，thingsHAVEchangedsincethosedays；andthattheyhavechangedisdue，farmorethantoanyotherhumanbeing，toMissNightingaleherself。Itisnottobewonderedatthatherparentsshouldhaveshudderedatthenotionoftheirdaughterdevotingherlifetosuchanoccupation。’Itwasasif，’sheherselfsaidafterwards，’Ihadwantedtobeakitchen-maid。’Yetthewant，absurdandimpracticableasitwas，notonlyremainedfixedimmovablyinherheart，butgrewinintensitydaybyday。

Herwretchednessdeepenedintoamorbidmelancholy。Everythingaboutherwasvile，andsheherself，itwasclear，tohavedeservedsuchmisery，wasevenvilerthanhersurroundings。Yes，shehadsinned——’standingbeforeGod’sjudgmentseat’。’Noone，’

shedeclared，’hassogrievedtheHolySpirit’；ofthatshewasquitecertain。Itwasinvainthatsheprayedtobedeliveredfromvanityandhypocrisy，andshecouldnotbeartosmileortobegay，’becauseshehatedGodtohearherlaugh，asifshehadnotrepentedofhersin’。

Aweakerspiritwouldhavebeenoverwhelmedbytheloadofsuchdistresses——wouldhaveyieldedorsnapped。Butthisextraordinaryyoungwomanheldfirm，andfoughtherwaytovictory。Withanamazingpersistency，duringtheeightyearsthatfollowedherrebuffoverSalisburyHospital，shestruggledandworkedandplanned。Whilesuperficiallyshewascarryingonthelifeofabrilliantgirlinhighsociety，whileinternallyshewasapreytothetorturesofregretandofremorse，sheyetpossessedtheenergytocollecttheknowledgeandtoundergotheexperiencewhichalonecouldenablehertodowhatshehaddeterminedshewoulddointheend。Insecretshedevouredthereportsofmedicalcommissions，thepamphletsofsanitaryauthorities，thehistoriesofhospitalsandhomes。ShespenttheintervalsoftheLondonseasoninraggedschoolsandworkhouses。

Whenshewentabroadwithherfamily，sheusedhersparetimesowellthattherewashardlyagreathospitalinEuropewithwhichshewasnotacquainted；hardlyagreatcitywhoseshimsshehadnotpassedthrough。ShemanagedtospendsomedaysinaconventschoolinRome，andsomeweeksasa’SoeurdeCharite’inParis。

Then，whilehermotherandsisterweretakingthewatersatCarlsbad，shesucceededinslippingofftoanursinginstitutionatKaiserswerth，wheresheremainedformorethanthreemonths。

Thiswasthecriticaleventofherlife。TheexperiencewhichshegainedasanurseatKaiserswerthformedthefoundationofallherfutureactionandfinallyfixedherinhercareer。

Butoneothertrialawaitedher。Theallurementsoftheworldshehadbrushedasidewithdisdainandloathing；shehadresistedthesubtlertemptationwhich，inherweariness，hadsometimescomeuponher，ofdevotingherbaffledenergiestoartorliterature；

thelastordealappearedintheshapeofadesirableyoungman。

Hitherto，herlovershadbeennothingtoherbutanaddedburdenandamockery；butnow——foramoment——shewavered。Anewfeelingsweptoverher——afeelingwhichshehadneverknownbefore——whichshewasnevertoknowagain。Themostpowerfulandtheprofoundestofalltheinstinctsofhumanitylaidclaimuponher。Butitrosebeforeher，thatinstinct，arrayed——howcoulditbeotherwise？——intheinevitablehabilimentsofaVictorianmarriage；andshehadthestrengthtostampitunderfoot。’Ihaveanintellectualnaturewhichrequiressatisfaction，’shenoted，’andthatwouldfinditinhim。Ihaveapassionatenaturewhichrequiressatisfaction，andthatwouldfinditinhim。Ihaveamoral，anactivenaturewhichrequiressatisfaction，andthatwouldnotfinditinhislife。SometimesIthinkthatIwillsatisfymypassionatenatureatallevents……’

Butno，sheknewinherheartthatitcouldnotbe。’Tobenailedtoacontinuationandexaggerationofmypresentlife……toputitoutofmypowerevertobeabletoseizethechanceofformingformyselfatrueandrichlife’——thatwouldbeasuicide。Shemadeherchoice，andrefusedwhatwasatleastacertainhappinessforavisionarygoodwhichmightnevercometoheratall。Andsoshereturnedtoheroldlifeofwaitingandbitterness。’ThethoughtsandfeelingsthatIhavenow，’shewrote，’IcanremembersinceIwassixyearsold。Aprofession，atrade，anecessaryoccupation，somethingtofillandemployallmyfaculties，Ihavealwaysfeltessentialtome，Ihavealwayslongedfor。ThefirstthoughtIcanremember，andthelast，wasnursingwork；andintheabsenceofthis，educationwork，butmoretheeducationofthebadthanoftheyoung……Everythinghasbeentried——foreigntravel，kindfriends，everything。MyGod！Whatistobecomeofme？’Adesirableyoungman？Dustandashes！Whatwastheredesirableinsuchathingasthat？’Inmythirty-firstyear，’shenotedinherdiary，’Iseenothingdesirablebutdeath。’

Threemoreyearspassed，andthenatlastthepressureoftimetold；herfamilyseemedtorealisethatshewasoldenoughandstrongenoughtohaveherway；andshebecamethesuperintendentofacharitablenursinghomeinHarleyStreet。Shehadgainedherindependence，thoughitwasinameagresphereenough；andhermotherwasstillnotquiteresigned：surelyFlorencemightatleastspendthesummerinthecountry。Attimes，indeed，amongherintimates，Mrs。Nightingalealmostwept。’Weareducks，’shesaidwithtearsinhereyes，’whohavehatchedawildswan。’Butthepoorladywaswrong；itwasnotaswanthattheyhadhatched，itwasaneagle。

II

MissNIGHTINGALEhadbeenayearinhernursing-homeinHarleyStreet，whenFateknockedatthedoor。TheCrimeanWarbrokeout；

thebattleoftheAlmawasfought；andtheterribleconditionofourmilitaryhospitalsatScutaribegantobeknowninEngland。

ItsometimeshappensthattheplansofProvidencearealittledifficulttofollow，butonthisoccasionallwasplain；therewasaperfectcoordinationofevents。ForyearsMissNightingalehadbeengettingready；atlastshewasprepared——experienced，free，mature，yetstillyoung(shewasthirty-four)——desiroustoserve，accustomedtocommand：atthatprecisemomentthedesperateneedofagreatnationcame，andshewastheretosatisfyit。Ifthewarhadfallenafewyearsearlier，shewouldhavelackedtheknowledge，perhapseventhepower，forsuchawork；afewyearslaterandshewould，nodoubt，havebeenfixedintheroutineofsomeabsorbingtask，andmoreover，shewouldhavebeengrowingold。

Norwasitonlythecoincidenceoftimethatwasremarkable。ItsofelloutthatSidneyHerbertwasattheWarOfficeandintheCabinet；andSidneyHerbertwasanintimatefriendofMissNightingale’s，convinced，frompersonalexperienceincharitablework，ofhersupremecapacity。Aftersuchpremises，itseemshardlymorethanamatterofcoursethatherletter，inwhichsheofferedherservicesfortheEast，andSidneyHerbert’sletter，inwhichheaskedforthem，shouldactuallyhavecrossedinthepost。Thusitallhappened，withoutahitch。TheappointmentwasmadeandevenMrs。Nightingale，overawedbythemagnitudeoftheventure，couldonlyapprove。Apairoffaithfulfriendsofferedthemselvesaspersonalattendants；thirty-eightnurseswerecollected；andwithinaweekofthecrossingofthelettersMissNightingale，amidagreatburstofpopularenthusiasm，leftforConstantinople。

AmongthenumerousletterswhichshereceivedonherdeparturewasonefromDr。Manning，whoatthattimewasworkingincomparativeobscurityasaCatholicpriestinBayswater。’Godwillkeepyou，’hewrote，’andmyprayerforyouwillbethatyouroneobjectofworship，PatternofImitation，andsourceofconsolationandstrength，maybetheSacredHeartofourDivineLord。’

TowhatextentDr。Manning’sprayerwasansweredmustremainamatterofdoubt；butthismuchiscertain：thatifeveraprayerwasneeded，itwasneededthenforFlorenceNightingale。FordarkashadbeenthepictureofthestateofaffairsatScutari，revealedtotheEnglishpublicinthedispatchesof“TheTimesCorrespondent“，andinamultitudeofprivateletters，yettherealityturnedouttobedarkerstill。Whathadoccurredwas，inbrief，thecompletebreakdownofourmedicalarrangementsattheseatofwar。Theoriginsofthisawfulfailurewerecomplexandmanifold；theystretchedbackthroughlongyearsofpeaceandcarelessnessinEngland；theycouldbetracedthroughendlessramificationsofadministrativeincapacity——fromtheinherentfaultsofconfusedsystems，tothepettybunglingsofminorofficials，fromtheinevitableignoranceofCabinetMinisters，tothefatalexactitudesofnarrowroutine。

Intheinquirieswhichfollowed，itwasclearlyshownthattheevilwasinrealitythatworstofallevils——onewhichhasbeencausedbynothinginparticularandforwhichnooneinparticularistoblame。Thewholeorganisationofthewarmachinewasincompetentandoutofdate。TheoldDukehadsatforagenerationattheHorseGuardsrepressinginnovationswithanironhand。Therewasanextraordinaryoverlappingofauthoritiesandanalmostincredibleshiftingofresponsibilitiestoandfro。

Asforsuchanotionasthecreationandthemaintenanceofareallyadequatemedicalserviceforthearmy——inthatatmosphereofagedchaos，howcouldithaveenteredanybody’shead？Beforethewar，theeasygoingofficialsatWestminsterwerenaturallypersuadedthatallwaswell——oratleastaswellascouldbeexpected；whensomeone，forinstance，actuallyhadthetemeritytosuggesttheformationofacorpsofArmynurses，hewasatoncelaughedoutofcourt。Whenthewarhadbegun，thegallantBritishofficersincontrolofaffairshadotherthingstothinkaboutthanthepettydetailsofmedicalorganisation。WhohadbotheredwithsuchtriflesinthePeninsula？Andsurely，onthatoccasion，wehaddoneprettywell。Thus，themostobviousprecautionswereneglected，andthemostnecessarypreparationswereputofffromdaytoday。TheprincipalmedicalofficeroftheArmy，Dr。Hall，wassummonedfromIndiaatamoment’snotice，andwasunabletovisitEnglandbeforetakinguphisdutiesatthefront。AnditwasnotuntilafterthebattleoftheAlma，whenwehadbeenatwarformanymonths，thatweacquiredhospitalaccommodationsatScutariformorethanathousandmen。

Errors，follies，andvicesonthepartofindividualstheredoubtlesswere；but，inthegeneralreckoning，theywereofsmallaccount——insignificantsymptomsofthedeepdiseaseofthebodypolitic——totheenormouscalamityofadministrativecollapse。

MissNightingalearrivedatScutari——asuburbofConstantinople，ontheAsiaticsideoftheBosphorus——onNovember4th，1854；itwastendaysafterthebattleofBalaclava，andthedaybeforethebattleofInkerman。Theorganisationofthehospitals，whichhadalreadygivenwayunderthestressofthebattleoftheAlma，wasnowtobesubjectedtothefurtherpressurewhichthesetwodesperateandbloodyengagementsimplied。Greatdetachmentsofwoundedwerealreadybeginningtopourin。Themen，afterreceivingsuchsummarytreatmentascouldbegiventhematthesmallerhospitalsintheCrimeaitself，wereforthwithshippedinbatchesof200acrosstheBlackSeatoScutari。Thisvoyagewasinnormaltimesoneoffourdaysandahalf；butthetimeswerenolongernormal，andnowthetransitoftenlastedforafortnightorthreeweeks。Itreceived，notwithoutreason，thenameofthe’middlepassage’。Between，andsometimesonthedecks，thewounded，thesick，andthedyingwerecrowded——menwhohadjustundergonetheamputationoflimbs，menintheclutchesoffeveroroffrostbite，meninthelaststagesofdysentryandcholera——withoutbeds，sometimeswithoutblankets，oftenhardlyclothed。Theoneortwosurgeonsonboarddidwhattheycould；butmedicalstoreswerelacking，andtheonlyformofnursingavailablewasthatprovidedbyahandfulofinvalidsoldierswhowereusuallythemselvesprostratebytheendofthevoyage。Therewasnootherfoodbesidetheordinarysaltrationsofshipdiet；andeventhewaterwassometimessostoredthatitwasoutofreachoftheweak。Formanymonths，theaverageofdeathsduringthesevoyageswasseventy-fourin1，000；thecorpseswereshotoutintothewaters；andwhoshallsaythattheywerethemostunfortunate？AtScutari，thelanding-stage，constructedwithalltheperversenessofOrientalingenuity，couldonlybeapproachedwithgreatdifficulty，and，inroughweather，notatall。Whenitwasreached，whatremainedofthemenintheshipshadfirsttobedisembarked，andthenconveyedupasteepslopeofaquarterofamiletothenearestofthehospitals。Themostseriouscasesmightbeputuponstretchers——

fortherewerefartoofewforall；therestwerecarriedordraggedupthehillbysuchconvalescentsoldiersascouldbegottogether，whowerenottooobviouslyinfirmforthework。Atlastthejourneywasaccomplished；slowly，onebyone，livingordying，thewoundedwerecarriedupintothehospital。Andinthehospitalwhatdidtheyfind？

Lasciateognisperanza，voich’entrate：thedelusivedoorsborenosuchinscription；andyetbehindthemHellyawned。Want，neglect，confusion，misery——ineveryshapeandineverydegreeofintensity——filledtheendlesscorridorsandthevastapartmentsofthegiganticbarrack-house，which，withoutforethoughtorpreparation，hadbeenhurriedlysetasideasthechiefshelterforthevictimsofthewar。Theverybuildingitselfwasradicallydefective。Hugesewersunderlayit，andcesspoolsloadedwithfilthwaftedtheirpoisonintotheupperrooms。Thefloorswereinsorottenaconditionthatmanyofthemcouldnotbescrubbed；thewallswerethickwithdirt；incrediblemultitudesofverminswarmedeverywhere。And，enormousasthebuildingwas，itwasyettoosmall。Itcontainedfourmilesofbeds，crushedtogethersoclosethattherewasbutjustroomtopassbetweenthem。Undersuchconditions，themostelaboratesystemofventilationmightwellhavebeenatfault；butheretherewasnoventilation。Thestenchwasindescribable。’Ihavebeenwellacquainted，’saidMissNightingale，’withthedwellingsoftheworstpartsofmostofthegreatcitiesinEurope，buthaveneverbeeninanyatmospherewhichIcouldcomparewiththatoftheBarrackHospitalatnight。’Thestructuraldefectswereequalledbythedeficienciesinthecommonestobjectsofhospitaluse。Therewerenotenoughbedsteads；thesheetswereofcanvas，andsocoarsethatthewoundedmenrecoiledfromthem，beggingtobeleftintheirblankets；therewasnobedroomfurnitureofanykind，andemptybeerbottleswereusedforcandlesticks。Therewerenobasins，notowels，nosoap，nobrooms，nomops，notrays，noplates；therewereneitherslippersnorscissors，neithershoe-brushesnorblacking；therewerenoknivesorforksorspoons。Thesupplyoffuelwasconstantlydeficient。Thecookingarrangementswerepreposterouslyinadequate，andthelaundrywasafarce。Asforpurelymedicalmaterials，thetalewasnobetter。

Stretchers，splints，bandages——allwerelacking；andsowerethemostordinarydrugs。

Toreplacesuchwants，tostruggleagainstsuchdifficulties，therewasahandfulofmenoverburdenedbythestrainofceaselesswork，bounddownbythetraditionsofofficialroutine，andenfeebledeitherbyoldageorinexperienceorsheerincompetence。Theyhadprovedutterlyunequaltotheirtask。Theprincipaldoctorwaslostintheimbecilitiesofasenileoptimism。Thewretchedofficialwhosebusinessitwastoprovideforthewantsofthehospitalwastiedfasthandandfootbyredtape。Afewoftheyoungerdoctorsstruggledvaliantly，butwhatcouldtheydo？Unprepared，disorganised，withsuchhelponlyastheycouldfindamongthemiserablebandofconvalescentsoldiersdraftedofftotendtheirsickcomrades，theywerefacedwithdisease，mutilation，anddeathinalltheirmostappallingforms，crowdedmultitudinouslyabouttheminanever-increasingmass。

Theywerelikemeninashipwreck，fighting，notforsafety，butforthenextmoment’sbareexistence——togain，byyetanotherfrenziedeffort，somebriefrespitefromthewatersofdestruction。

Inthesesurroundings，thosewhohadbeenlonginuredtoscenesofhumansuffering——surgeonswithaworld-wideknowledgeofagonies，soldiersfamiliarwithfieldsofcarnage，missionarieswithremembrancesoffamineandofplague——yetfoundadepthofhorrorwhichtheyhadneverknownbefore。Thereweremoments，therewereplaces，intheBarrackHospitalatScutari，wherethestrongesthandwasstruckwithtrembling，andtheboldesteyewouldturnawayitsgaze。

MissNightingalecame，andshe，atanyrate，inthatinferno，didnotabandonhope。Foronething，shebroughtmaterialsuccour。

BeforesheleftLondonshehadconsultedDr。AndrewSmith，theheadoftheArmyMedicalBoard，astowhetheritwouldbeusefultotakeoutstoresofanykindtoScutari；andDr。AndrewSmithhadtoldherthat’nothingwasneeded’。EvenSidneyHerberthadgivenhersimilarassurances；possibly，owingtoanoversight，theremighthavebeensomedelayinthedeliveryofthemedicalstores，which，hesaid，hadbeensentoutfromEngland’inprofusion’，but’fourdayswouldhaveremediedthis’。Shepreferredtotrustherowninstincts，andatMarseillespurchasedalargequantityofmiscellaneousprovisions，whichwereoftheutmostuseatScutari。Shecame，too，amplyprovidedwithmoney——

inall，duringherstayintheEast，about￡7，000reachedherfromprivatesources；and，inaddition，shewasabletoavailherselfofanothervaluablemeansofhelp。

Atthesametimeasherself，Mr。Macdonald，ofTheTimes，hadarrivedatScutari，chargedwiththedutyofadministeringthelargesumsofmoneycollectedthroughtheagencyofthatnewspaperinaidofthesickandwounded；andMr。MacdonaldhadthesensetoseethatthebestusehecouldmakeofTheTimesFundwastoputitatthedisposalofMissNightingale。’Icannotconceive，’wroteaneye-witness，’asInowcalmlylookbackonthefirstthreeweeksafterthearrivalofthewoundedfromInkerman，howitcouldhavebeenpossibletohaveavoidedastateofthingstoodisastroustocontemplate，hadnotMissNightingalebeenthere，withthemeansplacedatherdisposalbyMr。

Macdonald。’Buttheofficialviewwasdifferent。What！Wasthepublicservicetoadmit，byacceptingoutsidecharity，thatitwasunabletodischargeitsowndutieswithouttheassistanceofprivateandirregularbenevolence？Never！AndaccordinglywhenLordStratforddeRedcliffe，ourambassadoratConstantinople，wasaskedbyMr。MacdonaldtoindicatehowTheTimesFundcouldbestbeemployed，heansweredthattherewasindeedoneobjecttowhichitmightverywellbedevoted——thebuildingofanEnglishProtestantChurchatPera。

Mr。MacdonalddidnotwastefurthertimewithLordStratford，andimmediatelyjoinedforceswithMissNightingale。But，withsuchaframeofmindinthehighestquarters，itiseasytoimaginethekindofdisgustandalarmwithwhichthesuddenintrusionofabandofamateursandfemalesmusthavefilledthemindsoftheordinaryofficerandtheordinarymilitarysurgeon。Theycouldnotunderstandit——whathadwomentodowithwar？HonestColonelsrelievedtheirspleenbythecrackingofheavyjokesabout’theBird’；whilepoorDr。Hall，aroughterrierofaman，whohadworriedhiswaytothetopofhisprofession，wasstruckspeechlesswithastonishment，andatlastobservedthatMissNightingale’sappointmentwasextremelydroll。

Herpositionwas，indeed，anofficialone，butitwashardlytheeasierforthat。Inthehospitalsitwasherdutytoprovidetheservicesofherselfandhernurseswhentheywereaskedforbythedoctors，andnotuntilthen。Atfirstsomeofthesurgeonswouldhavenothingtosaytoher，and，thoughshewaswelcomedbyothers，themajoritywerehostileandsuspicious。Butgraduallyshegainedground。Hergoodwillcouldnotbedenied，andhercapacitycouldnotbedisregarded。Withconsummatetact，withallthegentlenessofsupremestrength，shemanagedatlasttoimposeherpersonalityuponthesusceptible，overwrought，discouraged，andhelplessgroupofmeninauthoritywhosurroundedher。Shestoodfirm；shewasarockintheangryocean；withheralonewassafety，comfort，life。AndsoitwasthathopedawnedatScutari。

Thereignofchaosandoldnightbegantodwindle；ordercameuponthescene，andcommonsense，andforethought，anddecision，radiatingoutfromthelittleroomoffthegreatgalleryintheBarrackHospitalwhere，dayandnight，theLadySuperintendentwasathertask。Progressmightbeslow，butitwassure。

Thefirstsignofagreatchangecamewiththeappearanceofsomeofthosenecessaryobjectswithwhichthehospitalshadbeenunprovidedformonths。Thesickmenbegantoenjoytheuseoftowelsandsoap，knivesandforks，combsandtooth-brushes。Dr。

Hallmightsnortwhenheheardofit，asking，withagrowl，whatasoldierwantedwithatooth-brush；butthegoodworkwenton。

Eventuallythewholebusinessofpurveyingtothehospitalswas，ineffect，carriedoutbyMissNightingale。Shealone，itseemed。

whateverthecontingency，knewwheretolayherhandsonwhatwaswanted；shealonecoulddispenseherstoreswithreadiness；aboveall，shealonepossessedtheartofcircumventingtheperniciousinfluencesofofficialetiquette。Thiswashergreatestenemy，andsometimesevenshewasbaffledbyit。Ononeoccasion27，000

shirts，sentoutatherinstancebytheHomeGovernment，arrived，werelanded，andwereonlywaitingtobeunpacked。Buttheofficial’Purveyor’intervened；’hecouldnotunpackthem，’hesaid，’withoutaBoard。’MissNightingalepleadedinvain；thesickandwoundedlayhalf-nakedshiveringforwantofclothing；

andthreeweekselapsedbeforetheBoardreleasedtheshirts。A

littlelater，however，onasimilaroccasion，MissNightingalefeltthatshecouldassertherownauthority。SheorderedaGovernmentconsignmenttobeforciblyopenedwhilethemiserable’Purveyor’stoodby，wringinghishandsindepartmentalagony。

VastquantitiesofvaluablestoressentfromEnglandlay，shefound，engulfedinthebottomlessabyssoftheTurkishCustomsHouse。Othership-loads，buriedbeneathmunitionsofwardestinedforBalaclava，passedScutariwithoutasign，andthushospitalmaterialsweresometimescarriedtoandfrothreetimesovertheBlackSea，beforetheyreachedtheirdestination。Thewholesystemwasclearlyatfault，andMissNightingalesuggestedtothehomeauthoritiesthataGovernmentStoreHouseshouldbeinstitutedatScutariforthereceptionanddistributionoftheconsignments。Sixmonthsafterherarrivalthiswasdone。

Inthemeantime，shehadreorganisedthekitchensandthelaundriesinthehospitals。Theill-cookedhunksofmeat，vilelyservedatirregularintervals，whichhadhithertobeentheonlydietforthesickmen，werereplacedbypunctualmeals，well-

preparedandappetising，whilestrengtheningextrafoods——soupsandwinesandjellies(’preposterousluxuries’，snarledDr。Hall)——

weredistributedtothosewhoneededthem。Onething，however，shecouldnoteffect。Theseparationofthebonesfromthemeatwasnopartofofficialcookery：therulewasthatthefoodmustbedividedintoequalportions，andifsomeoftheportionswereallbone——well，everymanmusttakehischance。Therule，perhaps，wasnotaverygoodone；butthereitwas。’ItwouldrequireanewRegulationoftheService，’shewastold，’tobonethemeat。’Asforthewashingarrangements，theywererevolutionised。UptothetimeofMissNightingale’sarrival，thenumberofshirtstheauthoritieshadsucceededinwashingwasseven。Thehospitalbedding，shefound，was’washed’incoldwater。ShetookaTurkishhouse，hadboilersinstalled，andemployedsoldiers’wivestodothelaundrywork。TheexpensesweredefrayedfromherownfundsandthatofTheTimes；andhenceforward，thesickandwoundedhadthecomfortofcleanlinen。

Thensheturnedherattentiontotheirclothing。Owingtomilitaryexigencies，thegreaternumberofthemenhadabandonedtheirkit；theirknapsackswerelostforever；theypossessednothingbutwhatwasontheirpersons，andthatwasusuallyonlyfitforspeedydestruction。The’Purveyor’，ofcourse，pointedoutthat，accordingtotheregulations，allsoldiersshouldbringwiththemintohospitalanadequatesupplyofclothing，andhedeclaredthatitwasnobusinessofhistomakegoodtheirdeficiencies。Apparently，itwasthebusinessofMissNightingale。Sheprocuredsocks，boots，andshirtsinenormousquantities；shehadtrousersmade，sheriggedupdressing-gowns。

’Thefactis，’shetoldSidneyHerbert，IamnowclothingtheBritishArmy。’

Allatonce，wordcamefromtheCrimeathatagreatnewcontingentofsickandwoundedmightshortlybeexpected。Whereweretheytogo？Everyavailableinchinthewardswasoccupied；

theaffairwasseriousandpressing，andtheauthoritiesstoodaghast。ThereweresomedilapidatedroomsintheBarrackHospital，unfitforhumanhabitation，butMissNightingalebelievedthatifmeasureswerepromptlytakentheymightbemadecapableofaccommodatingseveralhundredbeds。Oneofthedoctorsagreedwithher；therestoftheofficialswereirresolute——itwouldbeaveryexpensivejob，theysaid；itwouldinvolvebuilding；andwhocouldtaketheresponsibility？ThepropercoursewasthatarepresentationshouldbemadetotheDirector-

GeneraloftheArmyMedicalDepartmentinLondon；thentheDirector-GeneralwouldapplytotheHorseGuards，theHorseGuardswouldmovetheOrdnance，theOrdnancewouldlaythematterbeforetheTreasury，and，iftheTreasurygaveitsconsent，theworkmightbecorrectlycarriedthrough，severalmonthsafterthenecessityforithaddisappeared。MissNightingale，however，hadmadeuphermind，andshepersuadedLordStratford——orthoughtshehadpersuadedhim——togivehissanctiontotherequiredexpenditure。Onehundredandtwenty-fiveworkmenwereimmediatelyengaged，andtheworkwasbegun。Theworkmenstruck；whereuponLordStratfordwashedhishandsofthewholebusiness。MissNightingaleengaged200otherworkmenonherownauthority，andpaidthebilloutofherownresources。Thewardswerereadybytherequireddate；500sickmenwerereceivedinthem；andalltheutensils，includingknives，forks，spoons，cansandtowels，weresuppliedbyMissNightingale。

Thisremarkablewomanwasintruthperformingthefunctionofanadministrativechief。Howhadthiscomeabout？Wasshenotinrealitymerelyanurse？Wasitnotherdutysimplytotendthesick？Andindeed，wasitnotasaministeringangel，agentle’ladywithalamp’，thatsheactuallyimpressedthemindsofhercontemporaries？Nodoubtthatwasso；andyetitisnolesscertainthat，assheherselfsaid，thespecificbusinessofnursingwas’theleastimportantofthefunctionsintowhichshehadbeenforced’。ItwasclearthatinthestateofdisorganisationintowhichthehospitalsatScutarihadfallen，themostpressing，thereallyvital，needwasforsomethingmorethannursing；itwasforthenecessaryelementsofcivilisedlife——thecommonestmaterialobjects，themostordinarycleanliness，therudimentaryhabitsoforderandauthority。’Oh，dearMissNightingale，’saidoneofherpartyastheywereapproachingConstantinople，’whenweland，lettherebenodelays，letusgetstraighttonursingthepoorfellows！’’Thestrongestwillbewantedatthewash-tub，’wasMissNightingale’sanswer。Anditwasuponthewash-tub，andallthatthewash-tubstoodfor，thatsheexpendedhergreatestenergies。Yettosaythat，isperhapstosaytoomuch。Fortothosewhowatchedheratworkamongthesick，movingdayandnightfrombedtobed，withthatunflinchingcourage，withthatindefatigablevigilance，itseemedasiftheconcentratedforceofanundividedandunparalleleddevotioncouldhardlysufficeforthatportionofhertaskalone。

Wherever，inthosevastwards，sufferingwasatitsworstandtheneedforhelpwasgreatest，there，asifbymagic，wasMissNightingale。Hersuperhumanequanimitywould，atthemomentofsomeghastlyoperation，nervethevictimtoendure，andalmosttohope。Hersympathywouldassuagethepangsofdyingandbringbacktothosestilllivingsomethingoftheforgottencharmoflife。Overandoveragainheruntiringeffortsrescuedthosewhomthesurgeonshadabandonedasbeyondthepossibilityofcure。Hermerepresencebroughtwithitastrangeinfluence。Apassionateidolatryspreadamongthemen——theykissedhershadowasitpassed。Theydidmore。’Beforeshecame，’saidasoldier，’therewascussin’andswearin’butafterthatitwasas’olyasachurch。’ThemostcherishedprivilegeofthefightingmanwasabandonedforthesakeofMissNightingale。Inthose’lowestsinksofhumanmisery’，assheherselfputit，sheneverheardtheuseofoneexpression’whichcoulddistressagentlewoman’。

Shewasheroic；andthesewerethehumbletributespaidbythoseofgrossermouldtothathighquality。Certainly，shewasheroic。

Yetherheroismwasnotofthatsimplesortsodeartothereadersofnovelsandthecompilersofhagiologies——theromanticsentimentalheroismwithwhichmankindlovestoinvestitschosendarlings：itwasmadeofsternerstuff。Tothewoundedsoldieronhiscouchofagony，shemightwellappearintheguiseofagraciousangelofmercy；butthemilitarysurgeons，andtheorderlies，andherownnurses，andthe’Purveyor’，andDr。Hall，and，evenLordStratfordhimself，couldtelladifferentstory。

Itwasnotbygentlesweetnessandwomanlyself-abnegationthatshehadbroughtorderoutofchaosintheScutarihospitals，that，fromherownresources，shehadclothedtheBritishArmy，thatshehadspreadherdominionovertheserriedandreluctantpowersoftheofficialworld；itwasbystrictmethod，bysterndiscipline，byrigidattentiontodetail，byceaselesslabour，andbythefixeddeterminationofanindomitablewill。

Beneathhercoolandcalmdemeanourlurkedfierceandpassionatefires。Asshepassedthroughthewardsinherplaindress，soquiet，sounassuming，shestruckthecasualobserversimplyasthepatternofaperfectlady；butthekeenereyeperceivedsomethingmorethanthat——theserenityofhighdeliberationinthescopeofthecapaciousbrow，thesignofpowerinthedominatingcurveofthethinnose，andthetracesofaharshanddangeroustemper——somethingpeevish，somethingmocking，andyetsomethingprecise——inthesmallanddelicatemouth。Therewashumourintheface；butthecuriouswatchermightwonderwhetheritwashumourofaverypleasantkind；mightaskhimself，evenasheheardthelaughterandmarkedthejokeswithwhichshecheeredthespiritsofherpatients，whatsortofsardonicmerrimentthissameladymightnotgiveventto，intheprivacyofherchamber。

Asforhervoice，itwastrueofit，evenmorethanofhercountenance，thatit’hadthatinitonemustfaincallmaster’。

Thosecleartoneswereinnoneedofemphasis：’Ineverheardherraisehervoice’，saidoneofhercompanions。’Onlywhenshehadspoken，itseemedasifnothingcouldfollowbutobedience。’

Once，whenshehadgivensomedirection，adoctorventuredtoremarkthatthethingcouldnotbedone。’Butitmustbedone，’

saidMissNightingale。Achancebystander，whoheardthewords，neverforgotthroughallhislifetheirresistibleauthorityofthem。Andtheywerespokenquietly——veryquietlyindeed。

Lateatnight，whenthelongmilesofbedslaywrappedindarkness，MissNightingalewouldsitatworkinherlittleroom，overhercorrespondence。Itwasoneofthemostformidableofallherduties。Therewerehundredsofletterstobewrittentothefriendsandrelationsofsoldiers；therewastheenormousmassofofficialdocumentstobedealtwith；therewereherownprivateletterstobeanswered；and，mostimportantofall，therewasthecompositionofherlongandconfidentialreportstoSidneyHerbert。Thesewerebynomeansofficialcommunications。Hersoul，pentupalldayintherestraintandreserveofavastresponsibility，nowatlastpoureditselfoutintheseletterswithallitsnaturalvehemence，likeaswollentorrentthroughanopensluice。Here，atleast，shedidnotmincematters。Hereshepaintedinherdarkestcoloursthehideoussceneswhichsurroundedher；hereshetoreawayremorselesslythelastveilsstillshroudingtheabominabletruth。Thenshewouldfillpageswithrecommendationsandsuggestions，withcriticismsoftheminutestdetailsoforganisation，withelaboratecalculationsofcontingencies，withexhaustiveanalysesandstatisticalstatementspiledupinbreathlesseagernessoneonthetopoftheother。Andthenherpen，inthevirulenceofitsvolubility，wouldrushontothediscussionofindividuals，tothedenunciationofanincompetentsurgeonortheridiculeofaself-

sufficientnurse。Hersarcasmsearchedtheranksoftheofficialswiththedeadlyandunsparingprecisionofamachine-gun。Hernicknameswereterrible。Sherespectednoone：LordStratford，LordRaglan，LadyStratford，Dr。AndrewSmith，Dr。Hall，theCommissary-General，thePurveyor——shefulminatedagainstthemall。Theintolerablefutilityofmankindobsessedherlikeanightmare，andshegnashedherteethagainstit。’Idowelltobeangry，’wastheburdenofhercry。’HowmanyjustmenwerethereatScutari？Howmanywhocaredatallforthesick，orhaddoneanythingfortheirrelief？Werethereten？Weretherefive？Wasthereevenone？’Shecouldnotbesure。

Atonetime，duringseveralweeks，hervituperationsdescendedupontheheadofSidneyHerberthimself。Hehadmisinterpretedherwishes，hehadtraversedherpositiveinstructions，anditwasnotuntilhehadadmittedhiserrorandapologisedinabjecttermsthathewasallowedagainintofavour。Whilethismisunderstandingwasatitsheight，anaristocraticyounggentlemanarrivedatScutariwitharecommendationfromtheMinister。HehadcomeoutfromEnglandfilledwitharomanticdesiretorenderhomagetotheangelicheroineofhisdreams。Hehad，hesaid，castasidehislifeofeaseandluxury；hewoulddevotehisdaysandnightstotheserviceofthatgentlelady；hewouldperformthemostmenialoffices，hewould’fag’forher，hewouldbeherfootman——andfeelrequitedbyasinglesmile。A

singlesmile，indeed，hehad，butitwasofanunexpectedkind。

MissNightingaleatfirstrefusedtoseehim，andthen，whensheconsented，believingthathewasanemissarysentbySidneyHerberttoputherinthewrongovertheirdispute，shetooknotesofherconversationwithhim，andinsistedonhissigningthemattheendofit。TheyounggentlemanreturnedtoEnglandbythenextship。

ThisquarrelwithSidneyHerbertwas，however，anexceptionalincident。Alikebyhim，andbyLordPanmure，hissuccessorattheWarOffice，shewasfirmlysupported；andthefactthatduringthewholeofherstayatScutarishehadtheHomeGovernmentatherback，washertrumpcardinherdealingswiththehospitalauthorities。NorwasitonlytheGovernmentthatwasbehindher：

publicopinioninEnglandearlyrecognisedthehighimportanceofhermission，anditsenthusiasticappreciationofherworksoonreachedanextraordinaryheight。TheQueenherselfwasdeeplymoved。ShemaderepeatedinquiriesastothewelfareofMissNightingale；sheaskedtoseeheraccountsofthewounded，andmadehertheintermediarybetweenthethroneandthetroops。’LetMrs。Herbertknow，’shewrotetotheWarMinister，’thatIwishMissNightingaleandtheladieswouldtellthesepoornoble，wounded，andsickmenthatNOONEtakesawarmerinterestorfeelsMOREfortheirsufferingsoradmirestheircourageandheroismMOREthantheirQueen。Dayandnightshethinksofherbelovedtroops。SodoesthePrince。BegMrs。Herberttocommunicatethesemywordstothoseladies，asIknowthatoursympathyismuchvaluedbythesenoblefellows。’TheletterwasreadaloudinthewardsbytheChaplain。’Itisaveryfeelingletter，’saidthemen。

Andsothemonthspassed，andthatfellwinterwhichhadbegunwithInkermanandhaddraggeditselfoutthroughthelongagonyoftheinvestmentofSebastopol，atlastwasover。InMay，1855，aftersixmonthsoflabour，MissNightingalecouldlookwithsomethinglikesatisfactionattheconditionoftheScutarihospitals。Hadtheydonenothingmorethansurvivetheterriblestrainwhichhadbeenputuponthem，itwouldhavebeenamatterforcongratulation；buttheyhaddonemuchmorethanthat——theyhadmarvellouslyimproved。Theconfusionandthepressureinthewardshadcometoanend；orderreignedinthem，andcleanliness；

thesupplieswerebountifulandprompt；importantsanitaryworkshadbeencarriedout。Onesimplecomparisonoffigureswasenoughtorevealtheextraordinarychange：therateofmortalityamongthecasestreatedhadfallenfromforty-twopercenttotwenty-twoper1，000。Butstill，theindefatigableladywasnotsatisfied。

Themainproblemhadbeensolved——thephysicalneedsofthemenhadbeenprovidedfor；theirmentalandspiritualneedsremained。

Shesetupandfurnishedreading-roomsandrecreationrooms。Shestartedclassesandlectures。Officerswereamazedtoseehertreatingtheirmenasiftheywerehumanbeings，andassuredherthatshewouldonlyendby’spoilingthebrutes’。ButthatwasnotMissNightingale’sopinion，andshewasjustified。Theprivatesoldierbegantodrinklessandeven——thoughthatseemedimpossible——tosavehispay。MissNightingalebecameabankerfortheArmy，receivingandsendinghomelargesumsofmoneyeverymonth。Atlast，reluctantly，theGovernmentfollowedsuit，andestablishedmachineryofitsownfortheremissionofmoney。LordPanmure，however，remainedsceptical；’itwilldonogood，’hepronounced；’theBritishsoldierisnotaremittinganimal。’But，infactduringthenextsixmonths￡71，000wassenthome。

Amidalltheseactivities，MissNightingaletookupthefurthertaskofinspectingthehospitalsintheCrimeaitself。Thelabourwasextreme，andtheconditionsoflifewerealmostintolerable。

Shespentwholedaysinthesaddle，orwasdrivenoverthosebleakandrockyheightsinabaggagecart。Sometimesshestoodforhoursintheheavilyfailingsnow，andwouldonlyreachherhutatdeadofnightafterwalkingformilesthroughperilousravines。Herpowersofresistanceseemedincredible，butatlasttheywereexhausted。Shewasattackedbyfever，andforamomentcameveryneartodeath。Yetsheworkedon；ifshecouldnotmove，shecouldatleastwrite，andwriteshediduntilhermindhadlefther；andafterithadlefther，inwhatseemedthedelirioustranceofdeathitself，shestillwrote。When，aftermanyweeks，shewasstrongenoughtotravel，shewasimploredtoreturntoEngland，butsheutterlyrefused。Shewouldnotgoback，shesaid，beforethelastofthesoldiershadleftScutari。

Thishappymomenthadalmostarrived，whensuddenlythesmoulderinghostilitiesofthemedicalauthoritiesburstoutintoaflame。Dr。Hall’slabourshadbeenrewardedbyaK。C。B——

letterswhich，asMissNightingaletoldSidneyHerbert，shecouldonlysupposetomean’KnightoftheCrimeanBurial-Grounds’——andthehonourhadturnedhishead。HewasSirJohn，andhewouldbethwartednolonger。DisputeshadlatelyarisenbetweenMissNightingaleandsomeofthenursesintheCrimeanhospitals。Thesituationhadbeenembitteredbyrumoursofreligiousdissensions，whiletheCrimeannurseswereRomanCatholics，manyofthoseatScutariweresuspectedofaregrettablepropensitytowardsthetenetsofDr。Pusey。MissNightingalewasbynomeansdisturbedbythesesectariandifferences，butanysuggestionthathersupremeauthorityoverallthenurseswiththeArmywas，nodoubt，enoughtorousehertofury；anditappearedthatMrs。

Bridgeman，theReverendMotherintheCrimea，hadventuredtocallthatauthorityinquestion。SirJohnHallthoughtthathisopportunityhadcome，andstronglysupportedMrs。Bridgeman——or，asMissNightingalepreferredtocallher，the’ReverendBrickbat’。

Therewasaviolentstruggle；MissNightingale’sragewasterrible。Dr。Hall，shedeclared，wasdoinghisbestto’rootheroutoftheCrimea’。Shewouldbearitnolonger；theWarOfficewasplayingherfalse；therewasonlyonethingtobedone——

SidneyHerbertmustmovefortheproductionofpapersintheHouseofCommons，sothatthepublicmightbeabletojudgebetweenherandherenemies。SidneyHerbert，withgreatdifficulty，calmedherdown。Orderswereimmediatelydispatchedputtinghersupremacybeyonddoubt，andtheReverendBrickbatwithdrewfromthescene。SirJohn，however，wasmoretenacious。A

fewweekslater，MissNightingaleandhernursesvisitedtheCrimeaforthelasttime，andthebrilliantideaoccurredtohimthathecouldcrushherbyaverysimpleexpedient——hewouldstarveherintosubmission；andheactuallyorderedthatnorationsofanykindshouldbesuppliedtoher。HehadalreadytriedthisplanwithgreateffectuponanunfortunatemedicalmanwhosepresenceintheCrimeahehadconsideredanintrusion；buthewasnowtolearnthatsuchtrickswerethrownawayuponMissNightingale。Withextraordinaryforesight，shehadbroughtwithheragreatsupplyoffood；shesucceededinobtainingmoreatherownexpenseandbyherownexertions；andthusfortendays，inthatinhospitablecountry，shewasabletofeedherselfandtwenty-fournurses。Eventually，themilitaryauthoritiesintervenedinherfavour，andSirJohnhadtoconfessthathewasbeaten。

ItwasnotuntilJuly，1856——fourmonthsaftertheDeclarationofPeace——thatMissNightingaleleftScutariforEngland。Herreputationwasnowenormous，andtheenthusiasmofthepublicwasunbounded。Theroyalapprobationwasexpressedbythegiftofabrooch，accompaniedbyaprivateletter。’Youare，Iknow，wellaware，’wroteHerMajesty，’ofthehighsenseIentertainoftheChristiandevotionwhichyouhavedisplayedduringthisgreatandbloodywar，andIneedhardlyrepeattoyouhowwarmmyadmirationisforyourservices，whicharefullyequaltothoseofmydearandbravesoldiers，whosesufferingsyouhavehadtheprivilegeofalleviatinginsomercifulamanner。Iam，however，anxiousofmarkingmyfeelingsinamannerwhichItrustwillbeagreeabletoyou，andtherefore，sendyouwiththisletterabrooch，theformandemblemsofwhichcommemorateyourgreatandblessedwork，andwhichIhopeyouwillwearasamarkofthehighapprobationofyourSovereign！

’Itwillbeaverygreatsatisfactiontome，’HerMajestyadded，’tomaketheacquaintanceofonewhohassetsobrightanexampletooursex。’

Thebrooch，whichwasdesignedbythePrinceConsort，boreaSt。

George’scrossinredenamel，andtheRoyalciphersurmountedbydiamonds。Thewholewasencircledbytheinscription’BlessedaretheMerciful’。

III

THEnameofFlorenceNightingalelivesinthememoryoftheworldbyvirtueoftheluridandheroicadventureoftheCrimea。Hadshedied——asshenearlydid——uponherreturntoEngland，herreputationwouldhardlyhavebeendifferent；herlegendwouldhavecomedowntousalmostasweknowittoday——thatgentlevisionoffemalevirtuewhichfirsttookshapebeforetheadoringeyesofthesicksoldiersatScutari。Yet，asamatteroffact，shelivedformorethanhalfacenturyaftertheCrimeanWar；andduringthegreaterpartofthatlongperiod，alltheenergyandallthedevotionofherextraordinarynaturewereworkingattheirhighestpitch。Whatsheaccomplishedinthoseyearsofunknownlabourcould，indeed，hardlyhavebeenmoregloriousthanherCrimeantriumphs，butitwascertainlymoreimportant。Thetruehistorywasfarstrangereventhanthemyth。InMissNightingale’sowneyestheadventureoftheCrimeawasamereincident——scarcelymorethanausefulstepping-stoneinhercareer。Itwasthefulcrumwithwhichshehopedtomovetheworld；butitwasonlythefulcrum。Formorethanagenerationshewastositinsecret，workingherlever：andherreal“life“

beganattheverymomentwhen，inthepopularimagination，ithadended。

ShearrivedinEnglandinashatteredstateofhealth。Thehardshipsandtheceaselesseffortofthelasttwoyearshadunderminedhernervoussystem；herheartwaspronouncedtobeaffected；shesufferedconstantlyfromfainting-fitsandterribleattacksofutterphysicalprostration。Thedoctorsdeclaredthatonethingalonewouldsaveher——acompleteandprolongedrest。

Butthatwasalsotheonethingwithwhichshewouldhavenothingtodo。Shehadneverbeeninthehabitofresting；whyshouldshebeginnow？Now，whenheropportunityhadcomeatlast；now，whentheironwashot，anditwastimetostrike？No；shehadworktodo；and，comewhatmight，shewoulddoit。Thedoctorsprotestedinvain；invainherfamilylamentedandentreated；invainherfriendspointedouttoherthemadnessofsuchacourse。Madness？

Mad——possessed——perhapsshewas。Ademoniacfrenzyhadseizeduponher。Asshelayuponhersofa，gasping，shedevouredblue-

books，dictatedletters，and，intheintervalsofherpalpitations，crackedherfebrilejokes。Formonthsatastretchsheneverleftherbed。Foryearsshewasindailyexpectationofdeath。Butshewouldnotrest。Atthisrate，thedoctorsassuredher，evenifshedidnotdie，shewould，becomeaninvalidforlife。Shecouldnothelpthat；therewastheworktobedone；

and，asforrest，verylikelyshemightrest……whenshehaddoneit。

Wherevershewent，inLondonorinthecountry，inthehillsofDerbyshire，oramongtherhododendronsatEmbley，shewashauntedbyaghost。ItwasthespectreofScutari——thehideousvisionoftheorganisationofamilitaryhospital。Shewouldlaythatphantom，orshewouldperish。ThewholesystemoftheArmyMedicalDepartment，theeducationoftheMedicalOfficer，theregulationsofhospitalprocedure……REST？Howcouldsherestwhilethesethingswereastheywere，while，ifthelikenecessityweretoariseagain，thelikeresultswouldfollow？

And，eveninpeaceandathome，whatwasthesanitaryconditionoftheArmy？Themortalityinthebarrackswas，shefound，nearlydoublethemortalityincivillife。’Youmightaswelltake1，100

meneveryyearoutuponSalisburyPlainandshootthem，’shesaid。AfterinspectingthehospitalsatChatham，shesmiledgrimly。’Yes，thisisonemoresymptomofthesystemwhich，intheCrimea，puttodeath16，000men。’Scutarihadgivenherknowledge；andithadgivenherpowertoo：herenormousreputationwasatherback——anincalculableforce。Otherwork，otherduties，mightliebeforeher；butthemosturgent，themostobviousofall，wastolooktothehealthoftheArmy。

OneofherveryfirststepswastotakeadvantageoftheinvitationwhichQueenVictoriahadsenthertotheCrimea，togetherwiththecommemorativebrooch。WithinafewweeksofherreturnshevisitedBalmoral，andhadseveralinterviewswithboththeQueenandthePrince，Consort。’Sheputbeforeus，’wrotethePrinceinhisdiary，’allthedefectsofourpresentmilitaryhospitalsystem，andthereformsthatareneeded。’Sherelated’thewholestory’ofherexperiencesintheEast；and，inaddition，shemanagedtohavesomelongandconfidentialtalkswithHisRoyalHighnessonmetaphysicsandreligion。Theimpressionwhichshecreatedwasexcellent。’Siegefalltunssehr，’notedthePrince，’istsehrbescheiden。’HerMajesty’scommentwasdifferent——’SuchaHEAD！IwishwehadherattheWarOffice。’

ButMissNightingalewasnotattheWarOffice，andforaverysimplereason：shewasawoman。LordPanmure，however，was(thoughindeedthereasonforthatwasnotquitesosimple)；anditwasuponLordPanmurethattheissueofMissNightingale’seffortsforreformmustprimarilydepend。ThatburlyScottishnoblemanhadnot，inspiteofhismostearnestendeavours，hadaveryeasytimeofitasSecretaryofStateforWar。HehadcomeintoofficeinthemiddleoftheSebastopolCampaign，andhadfelthimselfverywellfittedfortheposition，sincehehadacquiredinformerdaysaninsideknowledgeoftheArmy——asaCaptainofHussars。ItwasthisinsideknowledgewhichhadenabledhimtoinformMissNightingalewithsuchauthoritythat’theBritishsoldierisnotaremittinganimal’。AndperhapsitwasthissameconsciousnessofacommandofhissubjectwhichhadimpelledhimtowriteadispatchtoLordRaglan，blandlyinformingtheCommander-in-ChiefintheFieldjusthowhewasneglectinghisduties，andpointingouttohimthatifhewouldonlytryhereallymightdoalittlebetternexttime。

LordRaglan’sreply，calculatedasitwastomakeitsrecipientsinkintotheearth，didnotquitehavethateffectuponLordPanmure，who，whatevermighthavebeenhisfaults，hadneverbeenaccusedofbeingsupersensitive。However，heallowedthemattertodrop；andalittlelaterLordRaglandied——wornout，somepeoplesaid，byworkandanxiety。Hewassucceededbyanexcellentred-nosedoldgentleman，GeneralSimpson，whomnobodyhaseverheardof，andwhotookSebastopol。ButLordPanmure’srelationswithhimwerehardlymoresatisfactorythanhisrelationswithLordRaglan；for，whileLordRaglanhadbeentooindependent，poorGeneralSimpsonerredintheoppositedirection，perpetuallyaskedadvice，sufferedfromlumbago，doubted(hisnosegrowingredderandredderdaily)whetherhewasfitforhispost，and，byalternatemails，sentinandwithdrewhisresignation。Then，too，boththeGeneralandtheMinistersufferedacutelyfromthatdistressinglyusefulnewinvention，theelectrictelegraph。OnoneoccasionGeneralSimpsonfeltobligedactuallytoexpostulate。’Ithink，myLord，’hewrote，’thatsometelegraphicmessagesreachusthatcannotbesentunderdueauthority，andareperhapsunknowntoyou，althoughundertheprotectionofyourLordship’sname。

Forinstance，Iwascalleduplastnight，adragoonhavingcomeexpresswithatelegraphicmessageinthesewords，“LordPanmuretoGeneralSimpson——CaptainJarvishasbeenbittenbyacentipede。Howishenow？“’GeneralSimpsonmighthaveputupwiththis，thoughtobesureitdidseem’rathertootriflinganaffairtocallforadragoontorideacoupleofmilesinthedarkthathemayknockuptheCommanderoftheArmyoutoftheverysmallallowanceofsleeppermitted；butwhatwasreallymorethanhecouldbearwastofind’uponsendinginthemorninganothermounteddragoontoinquireafterCaptainJarvis，fourmilesoff，thatheneverhasbeenbittenatall，buthashadaboil，fromwhichheisfastrecovering’。ButLordPanmurehadtroublesofhisown。Hisfavouritenephew，CaptainDowbiggin，wasatthefront，andtooneofhistelegramstotheCommander-in-

ChieftheMinisterhadtakenoccasiontoappendthefollowingcarefullyqualifiedsentence——’IrecommendDowbiggintoyournotice，shouldyouhaveavacancy，andifheisfit’。

Unfortunately，inthoseearlydays，itwaslefttothediscretionofthetelegraphisttocompressthemessageswhichpassedthroughhishands；sothattheresultwasthatLordPanmure’sdelicateappealreacheditsdestinationinthelaconicformof’LookafterDowb’。TheHeadquartersStaffwereatfirstextremelypuzzled；

theywereatlastextremelyamused。Thestoryspread；and’LookafterDowb’remainedformanyyearsthefamiliarformulafordescribingofficialhintsinfavourofdeservingnephews。

Andnowthatallthiswasover，nowthatSebastopolhadbeen，somehoworanother，taken；nowthatpeacewas，somehoworanother，made；nowthatthetroublesofofficemightsurelybeexpectedtobeatanendatlast——herewasMissNightingalebreakinginuponthescenewithhertalkaboutthestateofthehospitalsandthenecessityforsanitaryreform。Itwasmostirksome；andLordPanmurealmostbegantowishthathewasengageduponsomemorecongenialoccupation——discussing，perhaps，theconstitutionoftheFreeChurchofScotland——aquestioninwhichhewasprofoundlyinterested。Butno；dutywasparamount；

andhesethimself，withasighofresignation，tothetaskofdoingaslittleofitashepossiblycould。

’TheBison’hisfriendscalledhim；andthenamefittedbothhisphysicaldemeanourandhishabitofmind。Thatlargelowheadseemedtohavebeencreatedforbuttingratherthanforanythingelse。Therehestood，four-squareandmenacinginthedoorwayofreform；anditremainedtobeseenwhether，thebulkymass，uponwhosesolidhideeventhebarbedarrowsofLordRaglan’sscornhadmadenomark，wouldproveamenabletothepressureofMissNightingale。Norwashealoneinthedoorway。Thereloomedbehindhimthewholephalanxofprofessionalconservatism，thestubbornsupportersoftheout-of-date，theworshippersandthevictimsofWarOfficeroutine。AmongtheseitwasonlynaturalthatDr。

AndrewSmith，theheadoftheArmyMedicalDepartment，shouldhavebeenpre-eminent——Dr。AndrewSmith，whohadassuredMissNightingalebeforesheleftEnglandthat’nothingwaswantedatScutari’。Suchwereheropponents；butshetoowasnotwithoutallies。ShehadgainedtheearofRoyalty——whichwassomething；

atanymomentthatshepleasedshecouldgaintheearofthepublic——whichwasagreatdeal。Shehadahostofadmirersandfriends；and——tosaynothingofherpersonalqualities——herknowledge，hertenacity，hertact——shepossessed，too，oneadvantagewhichthen，farmoreeventhannow，carriedanimmenseweight——shebelongedtothehighestcircleofsociety。ShemovednaturallyamongPeersandCabinetMinisters——shewasoneoftheirownset；andinthosedaystheirsetwasaverynarrowone。Whatkindofattentionwouldsuchpersonshavepaidtosomemiddle-

classwomanwithwhomtheywerenotacquainted，whopossessedgreatexperienceofArmynursingandhaddecidedviewsuponhospitalreform？Theywouldhavepolitelyignoredher；butitwasimpossibletoignoreFloNightingale。Whenshespoke，theywereobligedtolisten；and，whentheyhadoncebeguntodothat——

whatmightnotfollow？Sheknewherpower，andsheusedit。Shesupportedherweightiestminuteswithfamiliarwittylittlenotes。TheBisonbegantolookgrave。Itmightbedifficult——itmightbedamneddifficult——toputdownone’sheadagainstthewhitehandofalady……

OfMissNightingale’sfriends，themostimportantwasSidneyHerbert。Hewasamanuponwhomthegoodfairiesseemedtohaveshowered，ashelayinhiscradle，alltheirmostenviablegoods。

Wellborn，handsome，rich，themasterofWilton——oneofthosegreatcountry-houses，clothedwiththeglamourofahistoricpast，whicharethepeculiargloryofEngland——hepossessed——

besidesalltheseadvantages：socharming，solively，sogentleadispositionthatnoonewhohadoncecomenearhimcouldeverbehisenemy。

Hewas，infact，amanofwhomitwasdifficultnottosaythathewasaperfectEnglishgentleman。Forhisvirtueswereequaleventohisgoodfortune。Hewasreligious，deeplyreligious。’I

ammoreandmoreconvincedeveryday，’hewrote，whenhehadbeenforsomeyearsaCabinetMinister，’thatinpolitics，asineverythingelse，nothingcanberightwhichisnotinaccordancewiththespiritoftheGospel。’Noonewasmoreunselfish；hewascharitableandbenevolenttoaremarkabledegree；andhedevotedthewholeofhislife，withanunwaveringconscientiousness，tothepublicservice。Withsuchacharacter，withsuchopportunities，whathighhopesmusthavedancedbeforehim，whatradiantvisionsofaccomplishedduties，ofever-increasingusefulness，ofbeneficentpower，oftheconsciousnessofdisinterestedsuccess！Someofthosehopesandvisionswere，indeed，realised；but，intheend，thecareerofSidneyHerbertseemedtoshowthat，withalltheirgenerosity，therewassomegiftorother——whatwasit？——someessentialgift——whichthegoodfairieshadwithheld，andthateventhequalitiesofaperfectEnglishgentlemanmaybenosafeguardagainstanguish，humiliation，anddefeat。

ThatcareerwouldcertainlyhavebeenverydifferentifhehadneverknownMissNightingale。ThealliancebetweenthemwhichhadbegunwithherappointmenttoScutari，whichhadgrowncloserandcloserwhilethewarlasted，developed，afterherreturn，intooneofthemostextraordinaryfriendships。Itwasthefriendshipofamanandawomanintimatelyboundtogetherbytheirdevotiontoapubliccause；mutualaffection，ofcourse，playedapartinit，butitwasanincidentalpart；thewholesouloftherelationshipwasacommunityofwork。PerhapsoutofEnglandsuchanintimacycouldhardlyhaveexisted——anintimacysoutterlyuntincturednotonlybypassionitselfbutbythesuspicionofit。ForyearsSidneyHerbertsawMissNightingalealmostdaily，forlonghourstogether，correspondingwithherincessantlywhentheywereapart；andthetongueofscandalwassilent；andoneofthemostdevotedofheradmirerswashiswife。Butwhatmadetheconnectionstillmoreremarkablewasthewayinwhichthepartsthatwereplayedinitweredividedbetweenthetwo。Themanwhoacts，decides，andachieves；thewomanwhoencourages，applauds，and——fromadistance——inspires：thecombinationiscommonenough；

butMissNightingalewasneitheranAspasianoranEgeria。Inhercaseitisalmosttruetosaythattheroleswerereversed；thequalitiesofpliancyandsympathyfelltotheman，thoseofcommandandinitiativetothewoman。

TherewasonethingonlywhichMissNightingalelackedinherequipmentforpubliclife；shehadnot——shenevercouldhave——

thepublicpowerandauthoritywhichbelongedtothesuccessfulpolitician。ThatpowerandauthoritySidneyHerbertpossessed；

thatfactwasobvious，andtheconclusionsnolessso：itwasthroughthemanthatthewomanmustworkherwill。Shetookholdofhim，taughthim，shapedhim，absorbedhim，dominatedhimthroughandthrough。Hedidnotresist——hedidnotwishtoresist；hisnaturalinclinationlayalongthesamepathashers；

onlythatterrificpersonalityswepthimforwardatherownfiercepaceandwithherownrelentlessstride。Swepthim——whereto？Ah！WhyhadheeverknownMissNightingale？IfLordPanmurewasabison，SidneyHerbert，nodoubt，wasastag——acomely，gallantcreaturespringingthroughtheforest；buttheforestisadangerousplace。Onehastheimageofthosewideeyesfascinatedsuddenlybysomethingfeline，somethingstrong；thereisapause；andthenthetigresshasherclawsinthequiveringhaunches；andthen——！

BesidesSidneyHerbert，shehadotherfriendswho，inamorerestrictedsphere，werehardlylessessentialtoher。If，inherconditionofbodilycollapse，sheweretoaccomplishwhatshewasdeterminedthatsheshouldaccomplish，theattentionsandtheservicesofotherswouldbeabsolutelyindispensable。Helpersandserversshemusthave；andaccordinglytherewassoonformedaboutheralittlegroupofdevoteddisciplesuponwhoseaffectionsandenergiesshecouldimplicitlyrely。Devoted，indeed，thesediscipleswere，innoordinarysenseoftheterm；

forcertainlyshewasnolighttaskmistress，andhewhosetouttobeofusetoMissNightingalewasapttofind，beforehehadgoneveryfar，thathewasintruthbeingmadeuseofingoodearnesttotheverylimitofhisenduranceandhiscapacity。

Perhaps，evenbeyondthoselimits；whynot？Wassheaskingofothersmorethanshewasgivingherself？Letthemlookatherlyingtherepaleandbreathlessonthecouch；coulditbesaidthatshesparedherself？Why，then，shouldshespareothers？Anditwasnotforherownsakethatshemadetheseclaims。Forherownsake，indeed！No！Theyallknewit！itwasforthesakeofthework。Andsothelittleband，boundbodyandsoulinthatstrangeservitude，labouredonungrudgingly。

Amongthemostfaithfulwasher’AuntMai’，herfather’ssister，whofromtheearliestdayshadstoodbesideher，whohadhelpedhertoescapefromthethraldomoffamilylife，whohadbeenwithheratScutari，andwhonowactedalmostthepartofamothertoher，watchingoverherwithinfinitecareinallthemovementsanduncertaintieswhichherstateofhealthinvolved。Anotherconstantattendantwasherbrother-in-law，SirHarryVerney，whomshefoundparticularlyvaluableinparliamentaryaffairs。ArthurClough，thepoet，alsoaconnectionbymarriage，sheusedinotherways。EversincehehadlosthisfaithatthetimeoftheOxfordMovement，Cloughhadpassedhislifeinaconditionofconsiderableuneasiness，whichwasincreasedratherthandiminishedbythepracticeofpoetry。UnabletodecideuponthepurposeofanexistencewhosesavourhadfledtogetherwithhisbeliefintheResurrection，hisspiritsloweredstillfurtherbyill-health，andhisincomenotallthatitshouldbe，hehaddeterminedtoseekthesolutionofhisdifficultiesintheUnitedStatesofAmerica。But，eventhere，thesolutionwasnotforthcoming；and，when，alittlelater，hewasofferedapostinagovernmentdepartmentathome，heacceptedit，cametoliveinLondon，andimmediatelyfellundertheinfluenceofMissNightingale。Thoughthepurposeofexistencemightbestilluncertainanditsnaturestillunsavoury，here，atanyrate，undertheeyeofthisinspiredwoman，wassomethingreal，somethingearnest：hisonlydoubtwas——couldhebeofanyuse？

Certainlyhecould。Therewereagreatnumberofmiscellaneouslittlejobswhichtherewasnobodyhandytodo。Forinstance，whenMissNightingalewastravelling，thereweretherailway-

ticketstobetaken；andtherewereproof-sheetstobecorrected；

andthentherewereparcelstobedoneupinbrownpaper，andcarriedtothepost。Certainlyhecouldbeuseful。Andso，uponsuchoccupationsasthese，ArthurCloughwassettowork。’ThisthatIsee，isnotall，’hecomfortedhimselfbyreflecting，’andthisthatIdoisbutlittle；neverthelessitisgood，thoughthereisbetterthanit。’Astimewenton，her’Cabinet’，asshecalledit，grewlarger。Officialswithwhomherworkbroughtherintotouchandwhosympathisedwithherobjects，werepressedintoherservice；andoldfriendsoftheCrimeandaysgatheredaroundherwhentheyreturnedtoEngland。AmongthesethemostindefatigablewasDr。Sutherland，asanitaryexpert，whoformorethanthirtyyearsactedasherconfidentialprivatesecretary，andsurrenderedtoherpurposesliterallythewholeofhislife。

Thussustainedandassisted，thusslavedforandadored，shepreparedtobeardtheBison。

Twofactssoonemerged，andallthatfollowedturneduponthem。

Itbecameclear，inthefirstplace，thatthatimposingmasswasnotimmovable，and，inthesecond，thatitsmovement，whenitdidmove，wouldbeexceedingslow。TheBisonwasnomatchfortheLady。Itwasinvainthatheputdownhisheadandplantedhisfeetintheearth；hecouldnotwithstandher；thewhitehandforcedhimback。Buttheprocesswasanextraordinarilygradualone。Dr。AndrewSmithandallhisWarOfficephalanxstoodbehind，blockingtheway；thepoorBisongroanedinwardly，andcastawistfuleyetowardsthehappypasturesoftheFreeChurchofScotland；thenslowly，withinfinitereluctance，stepbystep，heretreated，disputingeveryinchoftheground。

Thefirstgreatmeasure，which，supportedasitwasbytheQueen，theCabinet，andtheunitedopinionofthecountry，itwasimpossibletoresist，wastheappointmentofaRoyalCommissiontoreportuponthehealthoftheArmy。ThequestionofthecompositionoftheCommissionthenimmediatelyarose；anditwasoverthismatterthatthefirsthand-to-handencounterbetweenLordPanmureandMissNightingaletookplace。Theymet，andMissNightingalewasvictorious；SidneyHerbertwasappointedChairman；and，intheend，theonlymemberoftheCommissionopposedtoherviewswasDr。AndrewSmith。Duringtheinterview，MissNightingalemadeanimportantdiscovery：shefoundthat’theBisonwasbullyable’——thehidewasthehideofaMexicanbuffalo，butthespiritwasthespiritofanAlderneycalf。Andtherewasonethingaboveallotherswhichthehugecreaturedreaded——anappealtopublicopinion。Thefaintesthintofsuchaterribleeventualitymadehisheartdissolvewithinhim；hewouldagreetoanythinghewouldcutshorthisgrouse-shooting——hewouldmakeaspeechintheHouseofLords，hewouldevenoverruleDr。AndrewSmith——ratherthanthat。MissNightingaleheldthefearfulthreatinreserve——shewouldspeakoutwhatsheknew；shewouldpublishthetruthtothewholeworld，andletthewholeworldjudgebetweenthem。Withsupremeskill，shekeptthisswordofDamoclespoisedabovetheBison’shead，andmorethanonceshewasactuallyonthepointofreallydroppingit——forhisrecalcitrancygrewandgrew。

ThepersonneloftheCommissiononcedeterminedupon，therewasastruggle，whichlastedforsixmonths，overthenatureofitspowersWasittobeanefficientbody，armedwiththerightoffullinquiryandwideexamination，orwasittobeapoliteofficialcontrivanceforexoneratingDr。AndrewSmith？TheWarOfficephalanxcloseditsranks，andfoughttoothandnail；butitwasdefeated：theBisonwasbullyable。’Threemonthsfromthisday，’MissNightingalehadwrittenatlast，’IpublishmyexperienceoftheCrimeanCampaign，andmysuggestionsforimprovement，unlesstherehasbeenafairandtangiblepledgebythattimeforreform。’Whocouldfacethat？

And，iftheneedcame，shemeanttobeasgoodasherword。Forshehadnowdetermined，whatevermightbethefateoftheCommission，todrawupherownreportuponthequestionsatissue。Thelabourinvolvedwasenormous；herhealthwasalmostdesperate；butshedidnotflinch，andaftersixmonthsofincredibleindustryshehadputtogetherandwrittenwithherownhandherNotesaffectingtheHealth，Efficiency，andHospitalAdministrationoftheBritishArmy。Thisextraordinarycomposition，fillingmorethan800closelyprintedpages，layingdownvastprinciplesoffar-reachingreform，discussingtheminutestdetailsofamultitudeofcontroversialsubjects，containinganenormousmassofinformationofthemostvariedkinds——military，statistical，sanitary，architectural——wasnevergiventothepublic，fortheneednevercame；butitformedthebasisoftheReportoftheRoyalCommission；anditremainstothisdaytheleadingauthorityonthemedicaladministrationofarmies。

Beforeithadbeencompleted，thestruggleoverthepowersoftheCommissionhadbeenbroughttoavictoriousclose。LordPanmurehadgivenwayoncemore；hehadimmediatelyhurriedtotheQueentoobtainherconsent；andonlythen，whenHerMajesty’sinitialshadbeenirrevocablyaffixedtothefataldocument，didhedaretotellDr。AndrewSmithwhathehaddone。TheCommissionmet，andanotherimmenseloadfelluponMissNightingale’sshoulders。

Todayshewould，ofcourse，havebeenoneoftheCommissionherself；butatthattimetheideaofawomanappearinginsuchacapacitywasunheardof；andnooneevensuggestedthepossibilityofMissNightingale’sdoingso。Theresultwasthatshewasobligedtoremainbehindthescenesthroughout，tocoachSidneyHerbertinprivateateveryimportantjuncture，andtoconveytohimandtoherotherfriendsupontheCommissionthevastfundsofherexpertknowledge——soessentialintheexaminationofwitnesses——bymeansofinnumerableconsultations，letters，andmemoranda。Itwasevendoubtfulwhethertheproprietieswouldadmitofhergivingevidence；andatlast，asacompromise，hermodestyonlyallowedhertodosointheformofwrittenanswerstowrittenquestions。Atlength，thegrandaffairwasfinished。TheCommission’sReport，embodyingalmostwordforwordthesuggestionsofMissNightingale，wasdrawnupbySidneyHerbert。Onlyonequestionremainedtobeanswered——wouldanything，afterall，bedone？OrwouldtheRoyalCommission，likesomanyotherRoyalCommissionsbeforeandsince，turnouttohaveachievednothingbuttheconcoctionofaveryfatbluebookonaveryhighshelf？

AndsothelastandthedeadlieststrugglewiththeBisonbegan。

SixmonthshadbeenspentincoercinghimintograntingtheCommissioneffectivepowers；sixmoremonthswereoccupiedbytheworkoftheCommission；andnowyetanothersixweretopassinextortingfromhimthemeanswherebytherecommendationsoftheCommissionmightbeactuallycarriedout。But，intheend，thethingwasdone。MissNightingaleseemed，indeed，duringthesemonths，tobeupontheverybrinkofdeath。AccompaniedbythefaithfulAuntMai，shemovedfromplacetoplace——toHampstead，toHighgate，toDerbyshire，toMalvern——inwhatappearedtobealastdesperateefforttofindhealthsomewhere；butshecarriedthatwithherwhichmadehealthimpossible。Herdesireforworkcouldnowscarcelybedistinguishedfrommania。Atonemomentshewaswritinga’lastletter’toSidneyHerbert；atthenextshewasofferingtogoouttoIndiatonursethesufferersintheMutiny。WhenDr。Sutherlandwrote，imploringhertotakeaholiday，sheraved。Rest！——’Iamlyingwithoutmyhead，withoutmyclaws，andyouallpeckatme。Itisderigueur，d’obligation，likethesayingsomethingtoone’shat，whenonegoesintochurch，tosaytomeallthathasbeensaidtome110timesadayduringthelastthreemonths。Itistheobbligatoontheviolin，andthetwelveviolinsallpractiseittogether，liketheclocksstrikingtwelveo’clockatnightalloverLondon，tillIsaylikeXavierdeMaistre，Assez，jesais，jenelesaisquetrop。Iamnotapenitent；butyouareliketheR。C。confessor，whosayswhatisderigueur……’