_Punch_ had had his joke when the “dear Nightingales” first went to the succour of the soldiers, but the day for raillery was past; a great humanitarian work had been accomplished, which the genial humorist was quick to acknowledge on the return of the heroine in a cartoon showing “Mr. _Punch’s_ design for a statue to Miss Nightingale.” It represented her in nurse’s dress, wearing the badge “Scutari” across her breast, and holding a wounded soldier by the hand. Below was a scene portraying the good Samaritan. The public interest in Miss Nightingale was testified in many ways. Not only did platforms all over the land resound with her praises, but her portrait became a popular advertisement for tradesmen. I have seen preserved in the Derby Town Library paper bags used in the shops of Henry Calvert, grocer, Hulme, the tobacconist, and Bryer, provision merchant, Derby, decorated with portraits of Florence Nightingale. Playbills displayed the heroine’s name, beside Romeo and Juliet, songs and musical compositions were dedicated to the “good angel of Derbyshire.” There was the “Nightingale Varsoviana” and “The Song of the Nightingale,” published with a full-page picture of the heroine on the cover. Almanacks displayed her portrait and ballads innumerable told of her gentle deeds. Street minstrels found a Nightingale song the most remunerative piece in their repertoire, and people who had hitherto been guiltless of versifying were compelled to satisfy an importunate muse by writing verses on Florence Nightingale. Broadsheet ballads were sung and sold in the streets, and the following extract is from one emanating from Seven Dials:-- When sympathy first in thy fair breast did enter, The world must confess ’twas a noble idea, When through great danger you boldly did venture, To soothe the afflicted in the dread Crimea. No female on earth sure could ever be bolder; When death and disease did you closely surround, You administered comfort to the British soldier-- You soothed his sorrows and healed his wounds. Before her return home Miss Nightingale’s services had been recognised by an influential meeting at St. George’s Hospital, presided over by the late Duke of Cambridge. It was moved by Viscount Chelsea that “Miss Nightingale should be elected an honorary Governor of St. George’s Hospital in testimony of the respectful admiration felt by the supporters of this charity for her self-denial and disinterestedness and her devoted heroism.” The Duke of Cambridge spoke of what he had himself seen of Miss Nightingale’s work amongst the sick and wounded soldiers during his stay at Scutari, and said that her name was revered alike by English, French, Turks, and Russians.