34 SOUTH STREET, _June_ 20 [1865]. DEAR SIR--I have not dared to press in with my feeble word of sympathy upon your over-taxed time and energy, when all Europe was pouring in upon you with its heartfelt sympathy. My experience has been infinitesimally small. Still, small as it is, it has been of historical events. And I can never remember the time--not even when the colossal calamity of the Crimea was first made known to us,--not even when we lost our own Albert (and our Albert was no common hero--remember that it was no Sovereign, but it was Washington, whom he held up as an example to himself and his)--I can never remember the time when so deep and strong a cry of feeling has gone up from the world, in all its length and breadth, and in all its classes, as has gone up for you and yours--in your great trial: Mr. Lincoln's death. As some one said of him, he will hold "the purest and the greatest place in history." I trust and believe that the deed which will spring up from that noble grave will be worthy of it. I will not take up your time with weak expression of a deep sympathy. Sincerely yours, FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. [64] In a letter to Mr. Dennis R. Alward. At home, the political event which most moved her was the death of Lord Palmerston:-- (_Miss Nightingale to Dr. Farr._) 34 SOUTH STREET, _Oct._ 19 [1865] Ld. Palmerston is a great loss. I speak for the country and myself. He was a powerful protector to me--especially since Sidney Herbert's death. I never asked him to do anything--you may be sure I did not ask him often--but he did it--for the last nine years. He did not do himself justice. If the right thing was to be done, he made a joke, but he did it. He will not leave his impress on the age--but he did the country good service. Except L. Napoleon, whose death might be the greatest good _or_ the greatest evil, I doubt whether there is any man's loss which will so affect Europe.... He was at heart the most liberal man we had left. I have lost, in him, a powerful friend. I hear spoken of as his successors--Clarendon, Russell, Granville. Ld. Clarendon it is said the Queen wishes--and she has been corresponding with him privately--perhaps by Ld. Palmerston's own desire. But I believe the real question is, under which (if any) of these, your Mr. Gladstone will consent to remain in office and be Leader of the Ho. of C. Not one of these men will manage the cabinet as Ld. Palmerston did. But I daresay you have more trustworthy information than I have. I would Ld. Palmerston had lived another Session. We should have got something done at the Poor Law Board, which we shall not now.[65] Ld. Russell is so queer-tempered. I quite dread his Premiership, if it comes. [65] On this subject, see below, p. 133. III