It will be a very great satisfaction to me, when you return at last to these shores, to make the acquaintance of one who has set so bright an example to our sex. And with every prayer for the preservation of your valuable health, believe me, always, yours sincerely, VICTORIA R. [188] Wrongly dated "January 1856" in _Letters of Queen Victoria_, vol. iii. p. 215. The gift was announced in the _Morning Post_ of December 20, 1855; the brooch reached Miss Nightingale in November, and her reply had been received by Dec. 21 (see below, p. 278). An illustrated account of the gift appeared in the _Illustrated London News_, Feb. 2, 1856. It may now be seen in the Museum of the United Service Institution. The jewel, which was designed by the Prince Consort, resembles a badge rather than a brooch, bearing a St. George's Cross in red enamel, and the Royal cypher surmounted by a crown in diamonds. The inscription, "Blessed are the Merciful," encircles the badge, which also bears the word "Crimea." On the reverse is the inscription: "To Miss Florence Nightingale, as a mark of esteem and gratitude for her devotion towards the Queen's brave soldiers.--From Victoria R., 1855." "I hope," wrote Lady Verney (Dec. 27, 1855), "you will wear your Star to please the soldiers on Sundays and holidays; because, judging from those at home, it will be such a pleasure to them to know that the Queen has done her best to do you honour." At home, Miss Nightingale never wore the decoration. She wore it in the East, on one occasion certainly (p. 296); and possibly on other occasions. If so, it would have been for the reason suggested by her sister. She loved the soldiers. Honours and reputation, so far as they were valued by her at all (and that was little), were valued only as a means to the end of further service. With what zeal, and to what good purpose, she was now devoting herself to serve the best interests of the common soldier, we shall learn in the next chapter. CHAPTER XI THE SOLDIERS' FRIEND Human nature is a noble and beautiful thing; not a foul nor a base thing. All the sin of men I esteem as their disease, not their nature; as a folly which can be prevented, not a necessity which must be accepted. And my wonder, even when things are at their worst, is always at the height which this human nature can attain.--RUSKIN.