OF the modern buildings in Guildford, there are none to which I need particularly 1der, if I except that in which we have the privilege of meeting to-day. Of its merits as a building, every .one present will have the opportunity of forming his own opinion. Projected at a time when the want of such an institution was deeply felt both by the medical profession and the public, it speedily received such support as to ensure its successful accomplishment. Designs were offered by many eminent

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... ts, from which that of Mr. Lewer, a resident of the town, was selected. Much pains were taken by the architect, as well as by several members of the committee, to discover the defects and ascertain the result of improvements in various similar institutions, and the result is now before you. Were I casually asked to express an opinion of it, it would be, that it is an admirable specimen of a modern hospital, so far as it accords with the popular notion of what a model hospital should be; but I must confess that it does not come up to that degree of perfection to which I think these institutions are capable of attaining; and, as this is a subiject in which I have long felt especial interest, I have proposed to maile it the topic of the address I have the honour of submitting to you to-day. I may, and probably shall, by some be thought presumptuous in openly expressing my opinions on such a subject. We are naturally wedded to old customs and ancient institutions, and, in our affection for them, are apt to lose sight of their imperfections; but these, nevertheless, should be remedied, and the readiest means of attaining this end is by pointing them out. One of the defects of which I complain consists in the absence of a common room, to which all patients capable of so doing should resort during the day, thus relieving the dormitory-wards of much noise and foulness of atmosphere, and at the same time affording to those convalescents the means of obtaining purer air, more comfortable meals, and a security against much that is unpleasant to be witnessed in the wards. Whatever may have been the object and purposes for which our hospitals were originally instituted, there can be no doubt,