region of florid
courtesy, and never got a chance, if so disposed, to risk a question
which he would not ask rashly, believing that, if Myrtle once said _No_,
there would be little chance of her ever saying _Yes_.

HOSPITAL MEMORIES

I.

When the first wave of patriotism rolled over the land at the outbreak
of the late Rebellion, fathers and mothers were proudly willing to send
forth sons and daughters to take their part in the struggle. The young
men were speedily marshalled and marched to the scene of action; but the
young women were not so fortunate in getting off to places in the
hospitals before the first ardor of excitement had cooled. Indeed, all
hospital organization was in such an imperfect state that no definite
plan could be made for ladies desiring to enter upon the good work.

Then came grave doubts from sage heads as to the propriety and
expediency of young women's going at all. One said that they would
always be standing in the way of the doctors; another, that they would
run at the first glimpse of a wounded man, or certainly faint at sight
of a surgical instrument; others still, that no woman's strength could
endure for a week the demands of hospital life. In fact, it was looked
upon as the most fanatical folly, and suggestions were made that at
least a slight experiment of hospital horrors ought to be made before
starting on such a mad career. Accordingly, in Boston, a few who
cherished the project most earnestly began a series of daily visits to
the Massachusetts General Hospital. To the courtesy and kindness of Dr.
B. S. Shaw and the attending surgeons,--especially Dr. J. Mason
Warren,--these novices were indebted for the privilege of witnessing
operations and being taught the art of dressing wounds. The omission of
fainting on the part of the new pupils rather disappointed general
expectation; and though the knowledge gained in a few weeks was
superficial, yet for practical purposes the nurses were not deemed
totally incompetent.

After receiving a certificate of fitness for the work from medical
authority, it was discouraging at last to be denied the consent of
parents. However, some favored ones went forth, and, returning home in a
few months, brought back such accounts of satisfaction in finding
themselves of use, and of their enjoyment in ministering to our
suffering soldiers, that at length the prejudices which withheld consent
were overcome, and one of the last of those who went