The reading of this letter from Miss Nightingale to the nurses assembled in the garden of her old home was an occasion of impressive interest. Fifty years ago she would not have predicted that Derby would ever possess such a large body of nurses, and still less that the members of the profession in Great Britain should have reached such a large total. Oh, small beginnings, ye are great and strong, Based on a faithful heart and weariless brain! Ye build the future fair, ye conquer wrong, Ye earn the crown, and wear it not in vain. So far as her own personality is concerned, the founder of this sisterhood of ministry is “a veiled and silent woman,” shunning publicity. Her name has circled the globe, her deeds are known in every clime, and people cite her noble heroism without even knowing that she still lives, at such pains has Miss Nightingale been to keep herself in strict seclusion. The power of her fame, the brilliance of her example, and the wisdom of her counsels are a national heritage. Women who now wear the garb of a nurse with honour and dignity owe it to the lofty tradition which has come down with the first of the gracious dynasty. On May 12th, 1904, Miss Nightingale was the recipient of many congratulations from her friends on the attainment of her eighty-fourth birthday, and the King paid a graceful compliment to the lady who is without doubt the most illustrious heroine in His Majesty’s Empire, by conferring upon her the dignity of a Lady of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Miss Nightingale received the Red Cross from Queen Victoria. A more unique honour was however yet in store for the heroine of the Crimea and the founder of the modern nursing movement. In November 1907, King Edward VII. appointed Miss Nightingale to the Order of Merit, which was founded by His Majesty in 1902 and first announced in the Coronation Honours List. The King is Sovereign of the Order, which originally consisted of twelve men distinguished in war, science, letters, and art. Other names have since been added, but Florence Nightingale is the only woman placed amongst these Immortals. The conferring of the Order was not accompanied by any ceremony, as Miss Nightingale was unable, through failing health, to receive Sir Douglas Dawson, the representative appointed by the King, and the insignia was simply handed to Miss Nightingale’s nephew. The badge of the Order is a cross of red and blue enamel of eight points, bearing the legend “For Merit” in gold letters within a laurel wreath. The reverse side shows the King’s royal and imperial cipher in gold. Members of the Order rank after the Order of the Bath, and use the letters O.M. The appointment of Miss Nightingale to the Order was received with great enthusiasm throughout the country.