“On the occasion of your Ninetieth Birthday, I offer you my heartfelt congratulations and trust that you are in good health.
“(Signed) George R. & I.”
On receiving the tidings of Miss Nightingale’s death, the King sent the following telegram from Balmoral to her relatives:—
“The Queen and I have received with deep regret the sad news of the death of Miss Florence Nightingale, whose untiring and devoted services to the British soldiers in the Crimea will never be forgotten, and to whose striking example we practically owe our present splendid organisation of trained nurses. Please accept the expression of our sincere sympathy.
“George R.I.”
Amongst the soldier heroes in St. Paul’s, or with the great ones in Westminster Abbey, would have been the fitting burial place for our greatest national heroine, whose deeds will live for ever in the records of our country. But she ever shunned publicity, and in deference to her wishes her funeral was not of a public character. The offer of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster of a burial place in the Abbey was declined by her executors. She was quietly laid to rest on Saturday, August 20th, in the little churchyard of East Wellow, Hampshire, near to her old home of Embley Park, and within sight of the hills where, as a child, she found her first patient in the old shepherd’s dog.
An impressive Memorial Service for those wishing to pay a tribute of love and honour to the heroine of the Crimea was held on the day of the funeral, in St. Paul’s Cathedral.
“On England’s annals, through the long
Hereafter of her speech and song,
A light its rays shall cast