In social life Sidney Herbert was a fascinating personality, and might be described as a modern hero of chivalry. He was strikingly handsome, with a commanding figure and courtly manners. He appeared to possess every social advantage--high birth, a great estate, a beautiful wife and children, one of the happiest homes in England, many accomplishments, a ready address, a silvery voice, irresistible manners, and a rare power for making friends. It was said that men would give up to Sidney Herbert what they would grant to no one else. In his younger days Sidney Herbert was sneered at by Disraeli as a maker of “pretty speeches,” but he later proved that there was grit behind the polished exterior of his personality. He was also, as Gladstone described him, a “man of routine.” His labours were unceasing; he never spared himself, and gave up life and luxury for toil and trouble. His industry and power of organisation were remarkable. “Great as were the works of Lord Herbert,” said Mr. Gladstone in referring to the army reforms which he executed after the Crimea, “there was something if possible still greater, and that was the character of Lord Herbert.... His gentleness combined with a modesty such as I, for one, never knew equalled in any station of life.” Such, then, was the perfect knight, the gallant gentleman, under the stimulus of whose private friendship and official supervision and support Florence Nightingale entered upon the great work of her life. In 1852 Sidney Herbert, after six years’ retirement, again took office and became Secretary of War in Lord Aberdeen’s Government. Immediately on his return to the War Office he began his schemes for army reform. He instituted classes for army school-masters, established industrial and infant schools in regiments, and also matured a plan for forming a board of examiners who should conduct all examinations for commissions by direct appointment or for promotion within the ranks of regimental officers. His plans were interrupted by the outbreak of the Crimean War. CHAPTER X _THE CRIMEAN WAR AND CALL TO SERVICE_ Tribute to Florence Nightingale by the Countess of Lovelace--Outbreak of the Crimean War--Distressing Condition of the Sick and Wounded--Mr. W. H. Russell’s Letters to _The Times_--Call for Women Nurses--Mr. Sidney Herbert’s Letter to Miss Nightingale--She offers her Services. The bullet comes--and either A desolate hearth may see; And God alone to-night knows where The vacant place may be. ADELAIDE PROCTER. Then, then a woman’s low soft sympathy Comes like an angel’s voice to teach us how to die. EDWIN ARNOLD.