Eventually, the military authorities
intervened in her favour, and Sir John had to confess that he was
beaten.
It was not until July, 1856--four months after the Declaration of
Peace-- that Miss Nightingale left Scutari for England. Her
reputation was now enormous, and the enthusiasm of the public was
unbounded. The royal approbation was expressed by the gift of a
brooch, accompanied by a private letter. 'You are, I know, well
aware,' wrote Her Majesty, 'of the high sense I entertain of the
Christian devotion which you have displayed during this great and
bloody war, and I need hardly repeat to you how warm my
admiration is for your services, which are fully equal to those
of my dear and brave soldiers, whose sufferings you have had the
privilege of alleviating in so merciful a manner. I am, however,
anxious of marking my feelings in a manner which I trust will be
agreeable to you, and therefore, send you with this letter a
brooch, the form and emblems of which commemorate your great and
blessed work, and which I hope you will wear as a mark of the
high approbation of your Sovereign!
'It will be a very great satisfaction to me,' Her Majesty added,
'to make the acquaintance of one who has set so bright an example
to our sex.'
The brooch, which was designed by the Prince Consort, bore a St .
George's cross in red enamel, and the Royal cipher surmounted by
diamonds.
Pages:
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206