ever at hand where the doctor is or is not: always ready, whether the patient be young or old, sorely afflicted or but suffering ailments, which timely thought and simple care may lessen or remove. Our principal purpose, however, is, as we have intimated, less to show what Miss Nightingale HAS DONE than what SHE IS DOING. The one is patent to the whole world: of the other very little is known. In treating the subject, the flow of pen is grievously arrested by a knowledge, that to write much would be distasteful-more than that—to the estimable lady, whose days and nights are nights and days of excessive labour. We are withheld from any "notes," concerning the work she is doing, not alone for the military and civil hospitals of England, but for those of our colonies and India: of her consultations with physicians-of her interviews with architects-of the visits of hospital committees of thought and work for Barrack improvement, for married soldiers' quarters' improvement, for Hospital improvement in many ways; for improvement connected with the Army Medical Department, the Ambulance and Land Transport Department, and the Commissariat; in brief, for all that concerns the efficiency, health, comfort, and well-being of our soldiers;—of labours, indeed, any one of which would be heavy to a person in strong health; but all of which are performed under circumstances that would render repose -even idleness-not only justifiable, but almost a duty. If we are precluded from touching on these points-on toils that must be known in due time from the results that will follow them-we cannot be forbidden the record of a visit to the HOSPITAL OF ST. THOMAS, where the Nursing System is in operation, and where the seed is planted of that "INSTITUTION FOR THE TRAINING, SUSTENANCE, AND "* promised by PROTECTION OF NURSES, AND HOSPITAL ATTENDANTS,' Miss Nightingale, and which society, in all its ranks and classes, earnestly, anxiously, hopefully and trustfully looks for at her hands. Why Miss Nightingale selected the Hospital of St. Thomas, in preference to other hospitals, we cannot say; no doubt she had her reasons— and no doubt they were sound and wise: but we do know, that the choice was not made without minute inquiry, and very mature consideration. *It will be remembered, that to accomplish this object "THE NIGHTINGALE FUND" was raised, in the years 1855-6. It commenced in an "idea" simply to present some "Testimonial" from the Women of Great Britain to that estimable lady on her expected return from the Crimea. No doubt such an "idea" occurred to thousands. But it was understood that Miss Nightingale would receive no Testimonial whatever: although, if it were possible to raise a sum sufficient to enable her to carry out a long-cherished purpose, of forming and establishing an Institution for training nurses-such a "Testimonial"-to benefit others, not herself-she might accept. We need not prolong this paper by any details concerning what followed; suffice it, that the contributions of all classes, from all parts of the world, were eagerly and rapidly sent in; that every soldier in the service subscribed a day's pay; and that the money so received was invested in Government securities, and now, we believe, approaches very nearly £50,000. This Hospital is, as all our London readers know, situate on the Surrey side of London Bridge. A few words concerning it may not be amiss. In the year 1213-six hundred and fifty-eight years ago-it was first established as an "Almonry for indigent children and necessitous proselytes." Still earlier, however-soon after the Conquest-a Convent was erected close to its present site. It was the work of a pious woman-a virgin -who had accumulated a large fortune by the heritage of a boat to convey passengers across the Thames, before any bridge was built. Her name was Mary; and, from her vocation, she bore the Saxon appellation of Over-rie-i. e., over the river. It was destroyed by fire A.D., 1212. A good Bishop of Winchester, however, took a small edifice which had been erected by the monks of St. Saviour, and which really stood on the exact spot where the present St. Thomas's Hospital now stands ;— he is said to have preferred it for the salubrity of the air and the purity of the water! Notwithstanding the present aspect of Southwark, it was, in the good Bishop's time, most pleasantly situate. A reference to ancient maps proves that it was surrounded by high trees, and that on the side of the Thames the meadows were sweet and abundant. The Hospital, then and there founded, consisted of a Master and Bretheren ;there were also "Sisters" to nurse and attend on the poor. The hospital that "cared for" poor pilgrims in the year 1213-still cares for "poor pilgrims" in the year 1861-! The gifts and legacies of good men and women aided and enlarged it from time to time. As resources increased, the means of ministering relief augmented; and now St. Thomas's Hospital contains 500 beds, for Patients, and 70 for Sisters and Nurses; having admitted the enormous number of 4,367 In-patients in 1860; and relieving 42,644 Out-patients during that year. After a conversation with Mrs. Wardroper (the Matron), in whose high worth and large experience Miss Nightingale has much confidence, I proceeded to inspect the wards, and the "band of fifteen" already in training. I had obtained two papers drawn up by Miss Nightingale— one a code of "Regulations as to the training of Nurses under the Nightingale Fund;" the other, a list of "the Duties of Probationers under the Nightingale Fund." It is impossible to imagine documents more clear or comprehensive. The "duties" of "Probationers" under the Nightingale Fund commence thus: "You are required to be sober, honest, truthful, trustworthy, punctual, quiet and orderly, cleanly and neat." "You are expected to become skilful." And then follows a list of "requirements," by which a system is adopted, that not only educates these women into the highest possible intelligence, but demands for them, on the part of those who require their services, respect and consideration. Miss Nightingale has re-elevated a class that in "old times" was graced by high-born ladies, who deemed it privilege to attend to the wounds of those who did battle for their country. The "leech" was the Lady of the castle: and it was the dnty of the proudest matron and the gentlest maiden to minister to the sick. The class, however, from various causes, sank into disrepute. Miss Nightingale's plans, as they extend, will open the door to women of mind and good education, who will find here a true sphere for the exercise of that useful industry which is the safest road to happiness: in fact, when Miss Nightingale's training is faithfully carried out, the "Nurse," either in the hospital ward, or the domestic sick chamber, will be considered in importance and utility only second to the Physician. It would be impossible to frame any code of laws more distinctly, or with graver consideration for the Patients and the Nurses. The women under the control of the Nightingale Fund have a suite of rooms entirely devoted to them, at the top of the new wing of St. Thomas's Hospital. This wing is admirably constructed for all the pruposes of ventilation-it was originally a ward. There is a walk down the centre, and each little chamber is partitioned off so as to secure privacy; while they are all open from about six feet from the floor to the ceiling-thus avoiding a close atmosphere. The "Sister" who superintends the little band of fifteen-the first-fruits of Miss Nightingale's system-has her two rooms at the entrance: for Miss Nightingale considers the isolation of each Head Nurse and her assistant Nurses as most important. It is scarcely requisite to state that none but women of unblemished character are permitted to enter on the work. All applications on behalf of late inmates of penitentiaries or reformatories, of all kinds and descriptions, are declined. The first offence of dishonesty, and, at the very farthest, the third offence of inebriety, results in "irreversible dismissal." The certainty that only women of character will be trained under the Nightingale Fund tends, as I have said, to raise the class "Nurse." All leads to a result every way elevating to the industrious women of England. After a very short lapse of years, we shall not only no longer dread the coming of a "Nurse" into our home as the entrance of discomfort or discord, but look forward to her sojourn as a time, not only of returning health to the dear object of our anxiety, but as also renewing the healthy atmosphere of our social life, which depends for its well-doing and happiness on so many influences-extending from high to low. Nay, in time, if not just yet, the Nurse of the sick room may be, without humiliation to the host, the guest of the parlour: where information as to the progress of the Patient will be asked and given: where discourse will be comforting or consoling; and where consideration and advice will be for mutual good. "Miss Nightingale's Nurses," as they are called, wear a brown dress, and their snowy caps and aprons looked like bits of extra light as they moved cheerfully and noiselessly from bed to bed, greeting poor sufferers with a sympathizing word or smile, and frequently receiving a murmured blessing in return. One of the so-called-from time immemorial-" Sisters,” of St. Thomas's Hospital, occupies the "two rooms" devoted to her watchfulness, repose, and comfort. This person receives sixty pounds a year; and I need hardly add, to my thinking, how preferable such a position is to that of "companion to a lady," or even governess, except under very peculiar and sunshiny circumstances. I know that Miss Nightingale used to say, there ought to be but one LADY in an hospital, and she should be the Matron; but I do not see that "ladies"-I mean well-born, intelligent, well-educated women-could lose caste by accepting and fulfilling the duties of "Sister" in such an hospital as that of St. Thomas, while the position might be considered as still more elevating, and elevated, in private houses. There are few who cannot point out among their acquaintances, even their companions and friends, some who, depressed by untoward circumstances, have no choice between poverty and dependence-privation or degradation. Upon this subject I might enlarge-and may do so hereafter. Such "ladies" will ever bear in mind that, if they become Nurses, they will only have to do what Miss Nightingale has done: a LADY in all senses of the word— highly born, richly endowed, holding by natural right a lofty station in society. Her example will be an influence, the value of which it is impossible to exaggerate. Miss Nightingale's Nurses are not required to scrub floors, make fires, or clean grates: they only make their own beds, and dust their own rooms,— and the "Sister" has this done for her. She "heads" the table in the sitting-room, where they dine together; and it must be her own fault if she is not obeyed and respected. No such position can force a lady to lose caste. Again to quote Miss Nightingale, "the real dignity of a gentlewoman is a very high and unassailable thing, which silently encompasses her from her birth to her grave." The Matron assured me, that though at first starting she was obliged to dismiss "some" of the Probationers, as unfitted for the task they had undertaken, yet, on the whole, they have gone on in a most satisfactory manner; and that in June next, when the "year's probation" of several will have expired, and they proceed to other hospitals to make room for successors, she will part from them with much regret. It must be borne in mind that these women have the range of sixteen wards, where accidents, and I believe all diseases, except small-pox, are admitted. A register is kept of their conduct. I was shown the huge volume, and glanced down its columns with great satisfaction. It is inspected at stated periods by those appointed under the "Nightingale Fund” to overlook the Report, and is, from time to time, submitted to Miss Nightingale. I look with perfect hope and entire faith to the result of this great effort to fit hundreds now, and thousands hereafter, for one of the most important duties of civilized life-as elevating, as it is impotant. Here is fresh work for women,-work by which they serve their fellow creatures and their Maker. If our women do multiply more rapidly than our men, we are daily discovering means for their subsistence; not by removing them from the place or path which God and Nature allotted them at their birth, but by showing how that path may be pursued with industry, prosperity, and honour. We are so constituted, that if not born to work, we make work, or else we mildew into uselessness, and become cumberers of Earth. The first great principle of nature is WORK. For one person who dies from overwork, a hundred perish from want of work— poor as well as rich! I conclude by quoting from "Notes on Hospitals": "So I end as I began-let nothing be done rashly. Let us not be fettered by many rules at first. Let us take time to see how things work; what is found to answer best; how the work proceeds;-how far it pleases God to accept and bless it. Let us be prepared, as I know well we must be, for disappointments of every sort and kind. What can any of us do, in any thing, but our duty, leaving the event to God? His will be done on earth, as it is in heaven!" Yes! God be thanked! "the lady of the lamp" still stands between the living and the dead! THE IRISH ALL SOULS' NIGHT BY THE AUTHOR OF "PAUL FERROL," &c. ["THE common people in Galway believe that departed souls wander near their former habitations. In a stormy night they often say—“God help the poor souls!" They believe that in one night alone of the year— All Souls' Night-they are allowed to enter the houses, and on that night, therefore, the people put their rooms in order, make good fires, and open their windows, in order that the souls may come in and warm themselves." -Extract from the MS. Journal of J. Nassau Senior, Esq. (by his permission), 1858, Ireland.] THE dreamy thoughts of Erin's son When suns are warm, and breezes sweet, His fancy, pleased with life and heat, |