ROMANCE OF NURSE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 78

ROMANCE OF NURSE.

The various nursing institutions are now so universal and so beautifully equipped that one forgets how verymodern they really are. It is nearly 50 years ago now since the j'oung Empress of the French asked Queen Victoria to recommend her an English nurse for "the Hope of France." It would be no lie.'ht responsibility, the charge and direction of that nursery in the Tuileries ; and the Queen, good jud°e of all things appertaining to the subject as . she - undoubtedly was, shrank from making the final choice. No fewer than 16 nurses were sent over to Paris, and stood in demure array in one of the reception rooms to be inspected.

The Empress, a vision of quite dazzling fairness, walked round the circle and talked to each in the charming style so peculiarly her own. Eugenic de Monti jo was then in the zenith of her fortunes. She was 27 years old ; her girlish beauty had developed into wondrous dignity and charm ; she was rich "beyond the dreams of avarice" ; and she was an Empress ! That scene in the Pavilion de Flore (the southern wing of the Tuileries) was made up of curious contrasts in the way of womanhood.

Her Majesty's choice fell on Miss Shaw, to Queen Victoria's great content. Miss Shaw 'had been in the nurseries of the •Duchess of Argyll ; she was a Yorkshire woman'Tjy birth, tall, and fair, as Yorkshire folk often are ; and from first to last she proved herself worthy of the trust placed in her. Until her charge, the Prince Imperial, was seven years old, he was scarcely out of her sight night or day. She attended him to his parents' presence ; she*" drove with him in the Bois ; and «Yen when, as a soldier of the IniperitO-^Guaul,, the boy was drilled by

the grizzled old sergeant who was his military instructor, the calm fresh face of the English nurse was always to be seen ia the background.

Miss Shaw eventually married M. ! Thierry, a captain in the Chasseurs, and' treasurer of the Emperor's private chari- . ties. The wedding took place at the j Tuileries, the Prince Imperial acting a chief part in the ceremony, and giving the bride away. He was then 13 years olds and his nurse had long since resigned her duties, but the boy was still devoted to her, and not ashamed to acknowledge it. The iifteen unsuccessful candidates for the post of mus*e to the heir of France — his prospect of a throne seemed very sure sndeed in the fifties! — were treated with, the greatest kindness. The Empress invited then* to remain for a week as her guests. They were taken to see the .sights of Paris, Imperial carriages were at their disposal, and : in every wary that week wasmade delightful for them. When- they departed", a little jeweller's box containing a golden souvenir of t-he occasion was handed to each of 1 them. In fifteen several circles there are yet radiant memories of the gracious lady who once was the Empress- of the French.