Florence Nightingale did not content herself with sending loving
messages to her godchild. Her christening-gift—a beautiful edition of
Knight’s _Shakespeare_—is one of my most treasured possessions. I still
have also the remains of a bracelet made of her hair, with a little
golden heart at the clasp.
In my mother’s correspondence with her sisters the “babies” are
important figures. Maternal affection represents us in a glorified
aspect; nevertheless, it is pleasant to have our early virtues and
talents recorded by her loving hand. A few extracts from her letters are
given below.