to continue her literary studies. In 1844, she commenced writing for the "Democratic Review;" she wrote the "Medical Elective Papers," in the "American Review," and was a contributor to "Godey's Lady's Book." She prepared her "Lectures to Ladies on Anatomy and Physiology," which work was published by the Harpers, in 1844. They also published, about the same time, Mrs. Gove's little novel, "Uncle John, or it is too much trouble," under the nomme de plume of Mary Orne, which she assumed when writing fictitious tales. In this way she sent forth "Agnes Norris, or the heroine of Domestic Life," and "The Two Loves, or Eros and Anteros;" both written in the hurry of overburdened life, and, as might be expected, evincing that the spirit was prompting to every means of active exertion, while the natural strength was not sufficient for all these pursuits.
NIGHTINGALE, FLORENCE.
Woman has been well called "the Angel of Life," but for her soothing ministrations and softening and refining influence, what a scene of rudeness, barbarity, and wretchedness, would this world be, even in its most favoured and civilized spots; and amid all the illustrious women who have done honour to their sex by walking in the light of a divine charity, and exhibiting its most beautiful and loveable characteristics, there is not one perhaps who has greater claims to our respect and admiration than Florence Nightingale. Born to affluence and high station, delicately and tenderly nurtured; with a mind highly cultivated, a taste exceedingly refined, and surrounded by all appliances for the gratification of her wishes and desires, she was not content to live a life of elegant ease and luxurious enjoyment, while so many of her fellow creatures were undergoing sickness, to whose wants she might minister, and suffering which she might alleviate. Philanthropy appeared to be her great guiding principle; it was no sudden enthusiasm called forth by the events of the late war, no transient feeling of pity and admiration for those brave men who were feinting, and alas! in so many cases losing their lives, amid scenes of unutterable misery on that Crimean battle-ground, which induced her to go forth from her splendid home and circle of loving friends, on her errand of mercy and charity, to tend upon the sick and wounded, and endure the hardships and privations, and confront the dangers of a badly-organized military hospital, where disease and death, in their most fearful and loathsome forms, were present on every hand.
But our readers will be looking for some particulars of the life of this true heroine of modern times; and we will endeavour to satisfy their laudable curiosity, premising that our limited space will only permit of the barest outline of her past career of usefulness. William Shore Nightingale, Esq., of Embly Park, Hampshire, and Leigh Hurst, Derbyshire, married early in life, the daughter of the late William Smith, Esq., M.P. for Norwich, a strong advocate for slave emancipation, and promoter of every good work; and in the city of Florence, in the year 1823, was born unto them a daughter, to whom they gave the name of her birth-place. The child of intellectual and affluent parents, the education or both heart and mind was thoroughly attended to; the best feelings of the former were sedulously cultivated, and the noblest powers and
