In the last war Her Majesty’s Nurses received, on an average, 18_s._ a-week, lodging and board, fuel, light, and partial clothing--18_s._ a-week is 46_l._ 16_s._ yearly. Incorporated into a permanent Service, and with a pension, they ought not to receive the latter amount until after approved years of Service. It is certainly a different thing to undertake service in a Hospital in Smithfield or the Borough, and to undertake to go, at a moment’s notice, to any part of the world. But the Army Service involves this; and the pension it involves makes a reasonable equivalent for the additional wear and tear of climate, travel, &c. Going abroad is a regular part of the Service undertaken. Any artificial inducements should be avoided; at the same time their condition should be made a comfortable one. Wages, say 20_l._, rising to 50_l._ a-year, rations, an allowance of fuel and light, and a small furnished room, would be enough, and not too much. To this should be added a fixed annual gift of a few strong articles of regulation dress;[6] avoiding multiplicity, and securing the things being all good of their kind. In the last war they had too many things, and some were rubbish. They ought to be well able to supply themselves with linen, shoes, &c., whether at home or when ordered abroad. The articles to be given annually should be three strong dark gowns, six strong aprons, six caps, six collars, one bonnet--and let the things be good--biennially or triennially, one summer and one winter cloak. In India, &c., this might be modified. Their room should be furnished, because, in removing to and fro, it is better to release them from the cares and the pretences of furniture; also, because, instead of many gimcracks, you can thus furnish their rooms with a few comfortable, strong, plain things, presenting a certain military simplicity, which ought to pervade a Military Hospital. Their wages abroad should not be increased. Whether they serve at home or abroad concerns the Superintendent-General alone, and is no merit or title for additional advantages on their part. [Sidenote: Shall Rations be commutable for Mess-money in the United Kingdom?] If the principle of rations is considered preferable by the War Department, it is important to give no extra trouble that can be helped. If not, it is to be considered whether or not it would be well to get rid of the rations, in the three kingdoms at all events, for these reasons: [Sidenote: (1.) Because such commutation allows greater variety.]