In the same year (1871) that the new Nightingale Home and Training School was opened, Miss Nightingale published a valuable work on _Lying-in Hospitals_, and two years later she made a new literary departure by the publication in _Fraser’s Magazine_ of two articles under the heading “Notes of Interrogation,” in which she dealt with religious doubts and problems. Miss Nightingale from her youth up has shown a deeply religious nature, and her attempt to grapple with some of the deep questions of faith, as she had thought them out in the solitude of her sick-room, merit thoughtful consideration. Miss Nightingale has lived so entirely for the public good that her private family life is almost lost sight of. But her affections never ceased to twine themselves around the homes of her youth. After busy months in London occupied in literary work and the furthering of various schemes, came holidays spent at Lea Hurst and Embley with her parents, when she resumed her interest in all the old people, and ministered to the wants of the sick poor. Though no longer able to lead an active life and visit amongst the people, she had a system of inquiry by which she kept herself informed of the wants and needs of her poorer friends. She was particularly interested in the young girls of the district, and liked to have them come to Lea Hurst for an afternoon’s enjoyment as in the days gone by. It was soon known in the vicinity of her Derbyshire or Hampshire home when “Miss Florence” had arrived. In January, 1874, Miss Nightingale sustained the first break in her old home life by the death of her father. He passed peacefully away at Embley in his eightieth year and was buried in East Willows Churchyard. His tomb bears the inscription:-- WILLIAM EDWARD NIGHTINGALE, OF EMBLEY IN THIS COUNTY, AND OF LEA HURST, DERBYSHIRE. _Died January 5th, 1874, in his eightieth year._ “And in Thy Light shall we see Light.”--_Ps._ xxxvi. 9. After her father’s death, Miss Nightingale spent much of her time with her widowed mother at Embley and Lea Hurst, between which residences the winter and summer were divided as in the old days. It was well known that “Miss Florence’s” preference was for Lea Hurst, and she would linger there some seasons until the last golden leaves had fallen from the beeches in her favourite “walk” in Lea Woods.