Having attained the age when young ladies of birth and fortune generally "come out" and partake of the brilliant gayeties of society, Florence Nightingale visited London, But it was for the purpose of frequenting and studying the hospitals, schools and reformatory institutions of the metropolis, a self-imposed duty, which she performed with untiring energy and diligence. Yet she did not neglect to fulfil the more immediate duties of her station with grace and propriety, even to a presentation at Court; which proved that she was not one of those who devote themselves to the cause of charity in order to avoid the onerous claims of social life.
From London, Florence Nightingale went to Edinburgh, and to the Continent, intent on perfecting herself for a high and holy mission, and gathering up stores of knowledge for present as well as for future use. In the memorable year 1851, when all Europe held festive holiday in honor of the Great Exhibition, when "the highlands of Scotland, the lakes of Switzerland, and all the bright spots of the Continent were filled with parties of pleasure," Miss Nightingale—so well fitted by birth and education to shine a star in her own proper sphere—took up her abode in a hospital at Kaiserwerth on the Rhine, where Protestant Sisters of Mercy are trained as nurses for the sick; and for three long months, within the walls of this institution, she remained in daily and nightly attendance, unwearyingly expending her health and strength in the cause of benevolence. Here she made herself thoroughly acquainted with all the rules and regulations required in the management of a hospital. The Pasteur Flieaner, director of the establishment, affirmed that during the progress of the institution, no one had ever passed so distinguished an examination or shown herself so thoroughly mistress of all she had to learn, as the young, wealthy, and graceful Englishwoman. With the institution she was so favorably impressed that she afterwards returned to it, and subsequently published a little book containing an account of its origin and management.
From Germany, Miss Nightingale returned to the happiness of home, the love of her parents and sister, and to the fresh, free air of Derbyshire and Hampshire, in order to recruit her health. But her sympathy and energy were speedily enlisted on behalf of the Hospital for Sick Governesses, established in Harley Street, London, which was languishing for want of proper management and judicious support. She was appealed to for aid. Most young and wealthy ladies in such a case would have given a handsome donation to assist the institution. With the heroism of pure benevolence Florence Nightingale gave—herself.
She took the active and entire superintendence of the Sanatorium, devoting herself with indefatigable energy to place it on a firm basis. Derbyshire and Hampshire were exchanged for the narrow, dreary establishment in Harley Street, to which she devoted all her time and fortune. "While her friends missed her at assemblies, lectures, concerts, exhibitions and all the entertainments for taste and intellect with which London, in its season abounds," says one writer, "she, whose powers could have best appreciated them, was sitting beside the bed, and soothing the last complaints of some poor, dying, homeless, querulous governess. The homelessness might, not improbably, result from that very querulousness; but this is too frequently fomented, if not created, by the hard, unreflecting folly which regards fellow-creatures intrusted with forming the minds and dispositions of its children
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