A NOTABLE FUNEBAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14323, 13 October 1910, Page 2

A NOTABLE FUNEBAL.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. NURSES AND VETERANS. Miss Florence Nightingale was laid to rest in the God's acre surrounding the parish church of East Weilow — the little Hampshire village which almost touches tiie borders of the New Forest, about four miles from Romsey—where she worshipped with her parents before she became "The Lady with the Lamp." Burial in "Westminster Abbey was declined.

In accordance with Miss Nightingale's own desire, tho funeral was exceedingly simple. It was, indeed, d.flicult to realise that one whose name is honoured in every land was passing to her last resting-place. Yet. uniniposing though they were, the final scenes wero wonderfully impressive. Among the floral tributes on the coffin lay white crosses of roses, lilies and orchids, sent by Queen Alexandra. To this offering was attached the following touching iuscription in tho Queen-Mother's own handwriting: To Miss Florence Nightingale, in grateful memory of the greatest benefactress to suffering humanity, by founding tho military nursing service, in the year 1553, by her own idividual exertions and heroism. From Alexandra, August 20, 1910. A wreath of heather was sent by a Httle girl named Stella. Forstcr, aged 7, with the request, "Please, may my wreath be put with the other flowers? I picked the heather and made it myself hecanse I love her so." Beside the driver of the hearse which was to take the remains to Waterloo was placed a massive lamp composed of lilies of the valley. It was from the Army and Navy Male Nurses' Co-operation, "In token of deep gratitudo to the pioneer of nursing." and it was suitably inscribed with Longfellow's well-known lines: — A lady with a lamp shall stand In the great history of the land. A noble type of good Heroic womanhood. , To "The Lady with the Lamp." The memorial service in St. Paul's was worthy of a great occasion—a fitting tribute to one of the greatest women who ever lived.

The great cathedral might have been filled twice over with those who wished to pay their tribute to the departed. Long before -the doors were opened (says the "Daily Chronicle") thousands gathered in the churchyard in the hope of obtaining admission ; but the number of those who had a claim to be present, either in person or as representing societies and institutions justly entitled to share in the national mourning, was so large that little space was left for the general public, 11 was a, wonderful congregation; it bridged the years from the time when Florence Nightingale took light and succour into the dark places of the Crimea until to-day, when the last development of nursing is to be found in Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service and the Territorial Force Nursing Service.

Scarred veterans of the Crimea, from Chelsea Hospital and elsewhere, sat side by side with nurses. Fitly enough there were about a thousand nurses. They must have formed almost a quarter of the congregation. Their uniiorm of mercy was displayed everywhere under the great dome. All the members of the Royal Family were specially represented. Mr John Burns was there to show the sympathy of the Government. Not a foreign Embassy or Legation but had pent some member of its staff, and the American Ambassador himself sat near to the space occupied by the deputnattion from the City" Corporation, which attended in its usual state.

All tho regiments that fought in the Crimea scut officers in uniform. The Navy, too. was well represented Almost every Red Cross Society in existence took occasion to pav honour to the founder of all Red Cross work .