The Life of Florence Nightingale, vol. 1 of 2Cook, Edward Tyas, Sir
History
The Life of Florence Nightingale, vol. 1 of 2
Cook, Edward Tyas, Sir
Nightingale, Florence, 1820-1910
"Miss N. is decidedly well received," reported Mr. Bracebridge to Mr.
Herbert (Nov. 8). A few days later, the Commander of the Forces, in a
letter dated "Before Sevastopol, Nov. 13th, 1854," bade her a hearty
welcome, tendering to her a "grateful acknowledgment for thus charitably
devoting yourself to those who have suffered in the service of their
country, regardless of the painful scenes you may have to witness." With
some of the military officers she had difficulties; from the Commander
she received nothing but courtesy, sympathy, and support.
"Miss Nightingale cannot but here recall," she wrote after the war,
"with deep gratitude and respect, the letters of support and
encouragement which she received from the late Lord Raglan, who
invariably acknowledged all that was attempted, for the good of
his men, with the deepest feeling, as well as with the high
courtesy and true manliness of his character. No tinge of petty
jealousy against those entrusted with any commission, public or
private, connected with the Army under his command, ever alloyed
his generous benevolence."[94]
[94] _Statement to Subscribers_, p. vii.
The behaviour of some (but not all) of the military officers, and of the
men who caught their manners from the officers, was at first different.
There was sometimes ill-disguised jealousy, and consequent sulkiness.
Outwardly, there was politeness; but difficulties were put into the way
of "the Bird," as some of them called her behind her back, and she was
left to shift for herself, when a little help might have eased the
burden. "It is the Bird's duty," they would say. Miss Nightingale,
however, kept perfect command of her temper. "She was always calm and
self-possessed," says one of the Roman Catholic Sisters; "she was a
perfect lady through everything--never overbearing. I never heard her
raise her voice."
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