A lost commander : Florence Nightingale / by Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews.

  • Andrews, Mary Raymond Shipman, 1860-1936.
Date:
1933, ©1929
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A lost commander : Florence Nightingale / by Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the peaceful little river Nadur lies like a shifting, long mirror, about a hundred yards across a lawn from these huge windows; a classic bridge, the Palladium,” ties the house and gardens to a park beyond the river, rolling far out of sight. On the river side of the house a wide walk leads half a mile to a shadowy stone platform, sunk in old trees, lifted on shallow stone steps, and there a mossy marble seat glimmers out of green¬ ness. In its stillness and mystery, it seemed, that March morning, like the place in a fairy story where the prince would find the lost princess, in a green and silver dress and brown diamonds. One turns at these steps, and there, catching at one’s heart by sheer loveliness across great lawns, by the side of the shining river, smiling out from the centuries, stands Wilton House in her glory. From this side a wide facade carved of silvery stone lifts several tall stories; words could not tell its gracious lordliness, yet for all its grandeur it is a house one would love to live in, a house livable and lovable. Sidney Herbert, friend of Florence Nightingale, lived there all his life, and loved each bit “like a person.” When Providence chose a little girl to do, later, a much-needed service, when the Lord Almighty —who else?—had her born where heredity and environment would work together to shape the tool, He was not forgetful of her friendships.