So, then, we see that there were disgraceful evils at Scutari needing amendment, and that in order to amend them what was needed was bold initiative. This it was that Miss Nightingale supplied. The popular voice thought of her only or mainly as the gentle nurse. That, too, she was; and to her self-devotion in applying a woman's insight to a new sphere, a portion of her fame must ever be ascribed. But when men who knew all the facts spoke of her "commanding genius,"[93] it was rather of her work as an administrator that they were thinking. "They could scarcely realize without personally seeing it," Mr. Stafford told the House of Commons, "the heartfelt gratitude of the soldiers, or the amount of misery which had been relieved" by Miss Nightingale and her nurses; and, he added, "it was impossible to do justice, not only to the kindness of heart, but to the clever judgment, the ready intelligence, and the experience displayed by the distinguished lady to whom this difficult mission had been entrusted." These were the qualities which enabled her to reform, or to be the inspirer and instigator of reforms in, the British system of military hospitals. She began her work, where it lay immediately to her hand, in the Barrack Hospital at Scutari. She did the work in three ways. She applied an expert's touch and a woman's insight to a hospital hitherto managed exclusively by men. She boldly assumed responsibility, and did things herself which she could find no one else ready to do. And, thirdly, she was instant and persistent in suggestion, exhortation, reproaches, addressed to the authorities at home. It will not be possible to keep these three branches of our subject entirely distinct; but in the main they will form the topics successively of the next three chapters. [93] Dean Stanley, _Memorials of Edward and Catherine Stanley_, 2nd ed., p. 335. So, too, Mr. Sidney Herbert, in his speech at Willis's Rooms on Nov. 29, 1855, referred to her as "a woman of genius." CHAPTER IV THE EXPERT'S TOUCH Write that, when pride of human skill Fell prostrate with the weight of care, And men pray'd out for some strong will, Some reason 'mid the wild despair,-- The loving heart of Woman rose To guide the hand and clear the eye, Gave hope amid the sternest woes, And saved what man had left to die. R. M. M.: "A Monument for Scutari," _Times_, Sept. 10, 1855. Miss Nightingale arrived at Scutari, as we have seen, on November 4, and was immediately in the midst of heavy work in nursing. The Battle of Balaclava was fought on October 25; and on the day after her arrival, the Battle of Inkerman. * * * * *