THE SOLDIER'S FRIEND. shed upon labours of Mercy, Peace, and Charity. On the back of the jewel there was an inscription written by Her Majesty, recording it to be a gift in memory of services rendered to her brave army by Miss Nightingale. The ornament was about three inches in depth by two and a half in width. This gift was accompanied by an autograph letter full of deep feeling, and graceful, queenly kindness. The Sultan also presented Miss Nightingale with a superb bracelet, set in brilliants, as "a mark of his estimation of her devotion." At the close of 1855 it was resolved that an ac- ceptable testimonial of public gratitude should be offered to the generous Florence Nightingale ; and a " Nightingale Fund" was immediately raised. But as the noble-hearted woman distinctly declined any purely personal reward for her efforts, a resolu- tion was passed at a meeting held in Willis' Rooms, in December, that the Fund raised should be in- vested to establish " an institute for training, suste- nance, and protection of nurses and hospital attendants," to embrace the paid and the unpaid, for whom a home was to be provided, and a retreat for old age. Numerous meetings were held, over some of which presided a Prince of the blood royal, who had been a witness of Miss Nightingale's labours in the East ; and which were attended by men of the highest and noblest reputation. One important meeting was held at the Mansion House, Dec. 26, 30
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