CHAPTER II 



THE CRIMEA 

 1854-1855 



During the opening months of 1854 rumours of the 

 coming war with Russia were exciting every young 

 Englishman. It had been Flower's intention to go 

 abroad for a couple of years to study surgery at the 

 French and German universities, but when he 

 learnt that Dr. Sharpey of University College, who 

 had been asked to send in the names of some 

 '* really good men" to the Director-General of the 

 Medical Department of the Army, had included his 

 among them, he gave up his original plans, and in 

 the expectation of being soon employed on active 

 service, decided to enter the Medical Department 

 of the Army. His family received the news 

 with some dismay, their letters calling forth this 

 characteristically philosophical summing up of the 

 question : — 



March 31, 1854. 



My dear Mother — " Too anxious " I think you rightly call 

 yourself; but do not let imaginary fears and dread of almost 

 impossible dangers interfere with so brilliant an opportunity of 



