Take the trouble to see that a tidy useful fire-place is in each Nurse’s one room. Some fire-places will consume thrice the fuel of one which can do ten times more work. A compact useful little fire-place, to burn as little fuel, and do as much business (in a very small way) as possible, is a thing of daily use, economy, and comfort. The nurse should not do anything of her own in the ward, or the ward or orderlies’ scullery, if there is such a place. This is a matter requiring some decision. [Sidenote: 7. In each Ward to be Closet, with Shelves, Table with Drawers, Nurse with Keys. Nothing to be kept in Nurse’s Room. Linen, Dressings, Stimulants to be kept in Ward Closets.] 7. Let there be in each ward a closet, or, better still, a dresser,[8] with broad shelves, and a large table with large drawers, of which closet or dresser, and drawers, the nurse has the sole keys. Let the articles of linen which are kept in the ward be there; also the bandages, lint, old linen, oilsilk, ointments, &c., &c., which should always be, some at hand, some in reserve; also the wine and brandy ordered for the men. Let the nurse never be allowed to deposit Hospital property in her room, which, if there is no place for it, she _must_ do, and it is much better she should not. [Sidenote: 8. Matrons 200_l._ per annum, Quarters, and a Maid. A woman for the Linen, ranking and paid as a Nurse, but never entering the wards.] 8. With regard to the Matrons, though as Locke says of tutors, there are all kinds of persons to be found, it is certain the right persons are not always found; and these officers will take time to find, at the outset especially. Let them be (if it be possible) of the middle class; if it be possible, middle aged, active women, widows of officers or army surgeons. A vast deal of struggle is ever going on in professional life; a vast deal of silent, decorous misery ever follows on the premature deaths, the compelled early retirements, the sundry chances and changes which ever abound in the army of England. So far as it goes, and _cæteris paribus_, it would be right, just, and expedient to give a preference for these matronships to widows of officers and army surgeons. Try to secure thorough principle, sense, activity, and steady discreet ways; never mind a little vulgarity of manner; that the different orders should have their indefinable perpetual distinctions of manner as of other things, is perhaps for a long time to come in the essence of things. Two or three women of the stamp of the Matrons of a few of our Civil Hospitals would be very valuable. If the Matron do not get tired of what, unless one keeps one’s secret thoughts fixed on the meaning and the end of all things, is coarse, thankless, up-hill work enough--she will in the course of years accomplish great good. But she must have principle, sense, heart, and a firm cheerful mind. She must be not under thirty and, if possible, not over forty, on appointment.