Part 84 - Letter from Florence Nightingale to Lord Houghton

Embley, Romsey - Condolences on the death of Lady Houghton. Thought of her as 'the most magnanimous woman' she ever knew, 'of the stuff of which heroes are made. It is comparatively easy to be a hero, when one feels that one can do & dare anything for a great cause, but when one is a hero among the bare perplexities which enter so largely into English life & which drag down one who has no wings: that is to be a hero indeed'. Describes David Livingstone as having 'lately been my wings: the true heroic soul whome to reverence lends one's baser body wings. I had others: but they all died. Or rather they are continuing their heroic course elsewhere...' Says Lady Houghton also has 'joined the band of heroes elsewhere'.