iii. That sham penitents, who unhappily abound, are dangerous everywhere, extra-dangerous in hospitals, whether to superiors, companions, or patients. iv. That although the class must ever be a very mixed one, it is most important to have a standard. Let it be necessary for every nurse to enter hospital with a good character, and to leave it on losing it. Deception, hypocrisy, and successful guilt will be found in hospitals, as elsewhere; but the class must be raised, and therefore improved, by requiring the condition of good character; though guilt may occasionally mask itself behind it. v. That although, for various and very differing reasons, the certificates will be not unseldom untrustworthy, still the same reasoning will apply. Upon the whole the tendency will be, by requiring the condition of good character, to improve a class which, containing, as it does, many well-conducted women, is sadly degraded and contaminated by many vile ones. vi. I do not overlook the fact that honest certificates, especially if annually renewed, might give the matrons some perplexity, from reasons which need not be enlarged upon. Still, it seems to me, it would be well worth trying. IV. RULES TO BE FOLLOWED IN GIVING ASSISTANCE. Lastly. With regard to rules to be followed in giving assistance of whatever kind. [Sidenote: Need of Advice with a view above all to Security.] It seems to me most important that we should obtain the opinions both of hospital authorities and of a few able men of business, before laying down rules. The whole matter is so essentially mixed up with the tangible point of securing that the savings of these poor women should avail them in their age, that it is urgent to have sound practical advice as to letting nothing else imperil this. Security seems the cardinal point of the whole, and that is a question for men of business to answer. [Sidenote: Suggestions in detail.] The following suggestions toward obtaining it are offered. 1. Security of invested savings to be the first and main thing to be secured. Every other object should be subordinate to this. 2. If we decide upon aiding their savings, let the security of this aid be the main point. Invest all donations, annual or not; unless, should any hospitals contribute annually, it might be fairly considered that those contributions should be annually used. 3. The aim should be to enable all hospital nurses, of good character, to provide annuities for themselves, whether with or without assistance. I think assistance will be necessary. 4. Also to enable private and monthly nurses, and midwives, to do the same, but without requiring the certificate of character, which, not to be a mockery, ought to be an effectual one; and these persons are not under a fixed superior. 5. The pensions should, if it be possible, range from £13 or £15 a-year to £50 a-year: say £13, £20, £30, £40, £50.