was quite a young woman when she began, and these are the difficulties which vows remove which one sees nothing else can." Perhaps it was as a result of these inquiries that Florence Nightingale became acquainted, through Baron von Bunsen, with the institution at Kaiserswerth; though, as appears from a letter given below, Madame Mohl had also sent her some information about it. It is certain that by the autumn of 1846 she was in possession of its Reports, and that the place had become the home of her heart. During these years she was also quietly pursuing studies on medical and sanitary subjects. [35] _Life of Lord Houghton_, vol. i. p. 524. [36] In many accounts of Kaiserswerth and of Florence Nightingale, it is stated that her knowledge of the institution came from Elizabeth Fry. It was a pleasant temptation to establish such a link between these two famous women, but Mrs. Fry was dead (1845) before Miss Nightingale had ever heard, so far as her papers show, of Kaiserswerth. II With such thoughts in her mind, the routine of home life became more than ever empty and distasteful. Here are two typical extracts from her diary of 1846:-- LEA HURST, _July_ 7. What is my business in this world and what have I done this last fortnight? I have read the _Daughter at Home_[37] to Father and two chapters of Mackintosh; a volume of _Sybil_ to Mama. Learnt seven tunes by heart. Written various letters. Ridden with Papa. Paid eight visits. Done company. And that is all. [37] See below, p. 94. EMBLEY, _Oct._ 7. What have I done the last three months? O happy, happy six weeks at the Hurst, where (from July 15 to Sept. 1) I had found my business in this world. My heart was filled. My soul was at home. I wanted no other heaven. May God be thanked as He never yet has been thanked for that glimpse of what it is to _live_. Now for the last five weeks my business has been much harder. They don't know how weary this way of life is to me--this _table d'hôte_ of people.... When I want _Erfrischung_ I read a little of the _Jahresberichte über die Diakonissen-Anstalt in Kaiserswerth_. There is my home; there are my brothers and sisters all at work. There my heart is, and there I trust one day will be my body; whether in this state or in the next, in Germany or in England, I do not care.