Lady Canning, writing on October 17th, 1854, immediately after Miss Nightingale’s appointment was made known, gave the following interesting description of her quiet demeanour in the midst of the general excitement: “You will be glad to hear that Government sends out a band of nurses to Scutari, and Miss Nightingale is to lead them. Her family have consented, and no one is so well fitted as she is to do such work--she has such nerve and skill, and is so gentle and wise and quiet. Even now she is in no bustle or hurry, though so much is on her hands, and such numbers of people volunteer services.” The public naturally asked the question, “Who is Miss Nightingale?” and were answered by a descriptive and biographic account in _The Examiner_, which was repeated by _The Times_. One feels that the account must have appeared startling in days before attention had been given to the Higher Education of women, and when Girton and Newnham were not even dreams of the future. It ran that Miss Nightingale was “a young lady of singular endowments both natural and acquired. In a knowledge of the ancient languages and of the higher branches of mathematics, in general art, science, and literature, her attainments are extraordinary. There is scarcely a modern language which she does not understand, and she speaks French, German, and Italian as fluently as her native English. She has visited and studied all the various nations of Europe, and has ascended the Nile to its remotest cataract. Young (about the age of our Queen), graceful, feminine, rich, popular, she holds a singularly gentle and persuasive influence over all with whom she comes in contact. Her friends and acquaintances are of all classes and persuasions, but her happiest place is at home, in the centre of a very large band of accomplished relatives, and in simplest obedience to her admiring parents.” The last clause would satisfy apprehensive people that a young lady of such unusual attainments was not a “revolting daughter.” Another and more intimate description of Miss Nightingale at this period reveals to us the true and tender womanhood which learning had left untouched. “Miss Nightingale is one of those whom God forms for great ends. You cannot hear her say a few sentences--no, not even look at her, without feeling that she is an extraordinary being. Simple, intellectual, sweet, full of love and benevolence, she is a fascinating and perfect woman. She is tall and pale. Her face is exceedingly lovely; but better than all is the soul’s glory that shines through every feature so exultingly. Nothing can be sweeter than her smile. It is like a sunny day in summer.” [Illustration: MR. _PUNCH’S_ CARTOON OF THE “LADY-BIRDS.”]