Shortly after the opening of my kitchen, I received a visit from General Vivian and his aide-de-camp, Captain Ramsey. During his visit, Miss Nightingale entered the kitchen. I then introduced the General to her, and we had a very animated and interesting conversation relating to hospital treatment, &c. The General expressed his high gratification at being introduced to Miss Nightingale, and I then had the honour of showing him through the hospital, not omitting the other kitchens, where the cooking was still carried on upon the old system, as I had not had, in that short space of time, an opportunity to remedy it. The General and Captain Ramsey expressed their high approval and satisfaction of the great improvement I had already made in the culinary department of that monster establishment. I may, perhaps, be pardoned for being vain enough to quote the gallant General’s remark prior to his leaving my kitchen, which remark encouraged me so much in the prosecution of my labours. It was thus:-- “Monsieur Soyer, Miss Nightingale’s name and your own will be for ever associated in the archives of this memorable war.” CHAPTER XIII. DEPARTURE FOR THE CRIMEA. Departure--Bosphorus gulls--The Sultan afloat--The _Robert Lowe_--Splendid scene--Godfrey Tower--Sweet Waters of Asia--Therapia--Buyukderé--The Giant’s Mountain--The Euxine--Naval cookery--Miss Nightingale and the sick soldier--Divine service at sea--Conversation with Miss Nightingale--Plans for the future--Dinner on board the _Robert Lowe_--A travelling gentleman--P. M. and the looking-glass, an anecdote--A mutiny--The prison--View of the Russian coast--Bay of Balaklava--The harbour--Cossack Bay--P. M.’s horror--At anchor--Moored for the night.