“We passed down two or three of these immense corridors, asking our way as we went. At last we came to the guard-room, another corridor, then through a door into a large, busy kitchen, where stood Mrs. Margaret Williams, who seemed much pleased to see me: then a heavy curtain was raised; I went through a door, and there sat dear Flo writing on a small unpainted deal table. I never saw her looking better. She had on her black merino, trimmed with black velvet, clean linen collar and cuffs, apron, white cap with a black handkerchief tied over it; and there was Mrs. Bracebridge, looking so nice, too. I was quite satisfied with my welcome. It was settled at once that I was to sleep here, especially as, being post day, Flo could not attend to me till the afternoon. “The sofa is covered with newspapers just come in by the post. I have been sitting for an hour here, having some coffee, and writing, Mrs. Clarke coming in to see what I have wanted, in spite of what I could say. “The work this morning was the sending off General Adams’s remains, and the arrangements consequent upon it. “A stream of people every minute. “‘Please, ma’am, have you any black-edged paper?’ “‘Please, what can I give which would keep on his stomach; is there any arrowroot to-day for him?’ “‘No; the tubs of arrowroot must be for the worst cases; we cannot spare him any, nor is there any jelly to-day; try him with some eggs, etc.’ “‘Please, Mr. Gordon wishes to see Miss Nightingale about the orders she gave him.’ “Mr. Sabine comes in for something else. “Mr. Bracebridge in and out about General Adams, and orders of various kinds.” Such was the busy life of which Miss Nightingale was the queen, though, unlike the queen-bee of the ordinary honey-hive, this queen of nurses was the hardest-worked and most severely strained worker in the whole toiling community. It was early in the spring of 1855 that in the feeding department, which she rightly considered of great importance to her invalids, she received unexpected help. This came from M. Soyer, who may be remembered by more than one old Londoner as at one time _chef_ of the New Reform Club, where his biography, which contains some interesting illustrations, still adorns the library. M. Soyer begged to be allowed the command of the hospital kitchen at Scutari. He was an expert and an enthusiast, and very amusing. Also what he offered was of no slight importance and unselfishness. In February, 1855, he wrote as follows to the _Times_:—