Soyer's Culinary Campaign: Being Historical Reminiscences of the Late War.: With The Plain Art of Cookery for Military and Civil Institutions

Colonel Steele’s. Lord Raglan was just going out, and the first question he asked, even before I had time to pay my respects, was--“How is poor Miss Nightingale?” “A little better to-day. Dr. Henderson, whom I have just seen, says she has passed a better night.” “Well, I hope she has; I shall pay her a visit as soon as possible--that is, when she is a little better. Was she ill at all at Scutari?” “Not, my Lord, while I was there, and, I think, not before. It is rather remarkable that she should catch the Crimean fever just after her arrival.” I told Lord Raglan of her imprudence in visiting a patient at Dr. Henderson’s, who had been attacked by the worst form of Crimean fever; also, of her remaining out so late, and not taking any refreshment. “She appears,” said Lord Raglan, “to have no fear.” “None whatever.” I recounted her visit to the three-gun battery, and the scene that took place upon the centre mortar. Lord Raglan remarked--“It should be called the Nightingale mortar.” He then jumped upon his horse, and I had but a few minutes to explain the result of my visit with Dr. Hall to the various hospitals. I mentioned that the most important thing was the immediate erection of a kitchen for the General Hospital, in case of a decided attack upon Sebastopol. “Very true, Monsieur Soyer,” said Lord Raglan. I stated that I had addressed a letter to his lordship to that effect. “Yes, I have seen it, and it shall be attended to.” Lord Raglan and his staff then started in the direction of the French head-quarters, and I towards Balaklava, where I arrived about dusk. I left my pony at the General Hospital, and walked to the opposite side of the harbour, which I had in the morning left all in confusion, and, to my astonishment, found quiet and almost deserted. The only person I saw was Admiral Boxer, who came and thanked me for the assistance I had given him in the morning. “Don’t mention it, admiral,” said I;