FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE, M. Alexis Soyer, in his "Culinary Campaign," relates the following interesting incident: "Before leaving the battery I begged Miss Nightingale, as a favour, to give me her hand, which she did. I then requested her to ascend the stone rampart next the wooden gun carriage, and lastly to sit upon the centre mortar, to which requests she very gracefully and kindly acceded. I then boldly exclaimed, ' Gentlemen, behold this amiable lady sitting fearlessly upon that terrible instrument of war. Behold the heroic daughter of England, the soldier's friend!' All present shouted, `Bravo! bravo ! Hurrah! hurrah! Long live the daughter of England ! " At length Florence Nightingale's holy work of Christian charity was accomplished, and she pre- pared to return to England. The period of this event was kept a profound secret, for she ever care- fully shunned publicity; and desirous of maintaining the strictest incognito, she declined the offer of a passage in a British man-of-war, and embarked on board a French vessel. Passing through France by night, and travelling through her own country un- recognized, she quietly arrived at Lea Hurst, Derby - shire, Friday, August 15, 1856.* R It is deeply interesting to learn that the apartments in the southern tower of the Barrack Hospital, formerly occupied by Mist Nightingale, now remain, even as regards the furniture they contain, precisely as they were during her residence there ; a touching relic which we owe either to our late ambassador, Lord Stratford, or to his successor, Sir Henry Buiwer. 42
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