Recalls Florence Nightingale

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30499, 22 July 1964, Page 2

Recalls Florence Nightingale

When Florence Nightingale rejected Sir Harry Verney's of marriage in 1857, he lost little tins in marrying her sister, Parthenope. But Sir Harry remained a champion «f Miss Nightiagale and used his influence in Parliament to help her attain her ends in nursing and hospital reforms.

This story of a chapter in toe private life of “The Lady With toe Lamp” was to’d by Miss Nightingale’s greatmere. Miss Bota Veraey, to Mrs D Borrow, of Christto’ireh. in England rerentiy. Miss Veraey, now in her eighties, is the granddaughter of Sir Harry and Lady Verney. Still very alert she has nvid memories of visiting Florence Nightingale

and making tea” with her, Mrs Berrow say: to a letter to her sister. Mrs M. McNab, of Cunstchureh. Sir Harry Verney’s home was CTaydon House. Buek-

inghamsiiire, after ins marriage to Miss Parthenope Nightingale, his stster-in-Law was gfven her own room in toe htstse. where she spent much of her time when to Engtand.

Lady Verney became crippled with arthritis and Florwsee Nightingale helped to nurse her sister at home : few many years. Lady Verney’s son and daugnter-to-iaw also lived at Claydon Boose, so it was natural enough that their young daughter. Ruto. would 'find her way to her famous - great-aunt’s room whenever she could to hear stories of the Crimean War. i Claydon House became a National Trost House and indudes a Florence Nightingale room. For many years Miss Ruth Verney used to act as a guide at Ciaydon House on r open days, but is now crippled with arthritis herself and cannot do the work any longer. > Her to'erests are still centred aro-und Florence Nightingale and the United I Nations. Mrs Berrow says. Mrs Berrow. who retired eariy this year from her position of adviser to toe infant section of the Educa- : Hon Department, is now on an extended tour of Brttain and Europe. She is now risitftog Scandinavia.