“She was left a widow at 42 with a young family. She had never had any training in hospital life for there was none to be had. Her force of character was extraordinary. Her word was law. * * * She knew what she wanted and did it. She was a strict disciplinarian; very kind, often affectionate rather than loving. * * * She was a thorough gentle-woman, nothing mean or low about her; magnanimous and generous rather than courteous. All this was done quietly. She had a hard life but never proclaimed it. What she did was done silently.” [A] British Medical Journal, Dec. 31. 1892. Such was Miss Nightingale’s estimate of the first superintendent of a training school for nurses organized according to her own ideas. Mrs. Wardroper retired in 1887 and died in 1892. The plans for the training school were of Miss Nightingale’s making--the carrying of them out devolved almost wholly on Mrs. Wardroper, and on the Resident Medical Officer of the hospital, R. G. Whitfield. There were two essential principles to the plan: The nurses were to have their technical training in hospitals specially organized for the purpose. They should live in a home fit to form their moral life and discipline. Plans for lectures were carefully made and carried out, and a “Monthly Sheet of Personal Character and Acquirements” of each nurse was arranged by Miss Nightingale herself, for the Matron to fill in. The character record was to be noted under five heads: punctuality, quietness, trustworthiness, personal neatness and cleanliness, and ward management. The records in regard to nursing technique were made out on forms carefully prepared by Miss Nightingale under numerous headings, with copious subheadings. At her request, the Resident Medical Officer prepared a form of General Directions which were to aid the nurses in taking notes of the medical and surgical cases in the hospitals. The school opened June 24th, 1860. The course of training was to extend over one year. The writer has in her possession a copy of the first set of “Rules and Regulations for Probationers Under the Nightingale Fund”--and they bear a close resemblance to regulations in force today. She laid foundations which have stood the test of time. In the first report of the Committee in charge of the training school, one finds the details of the qualifications expected, set forth as follows, with the added statement that all important details for the working of the plan have been suggested by Miss Nightingale, or submitted to her for approval: “DUTIES OF PROBATIONERS UNDER THE NIGHTINGALE FUND.” You are required to be Sober Honest Truthful Punctual Quiet and Orderly Cleanly and Neat. You are expected to become skilful in--