and then not in any other branch but the medical branch. Perhaps some medical M.P., reading this letter, could ascertain the reason of this extraordinary custom in the Naval Medical Service, of twice promoting a man for the same thing; and there being no such thing as " brevet" in the navy, the twice-promoted officer blocks an already stagnant service for many years, bringing undeserved punishment on those he passes over. This job was introduced in 1881. SEA-DOG writes a long letter, of which

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... can only give portions. He says: A short year ago contentment reigned, now all is utter bewilderment; uncertainty of tenure of office, abolition of old and highly-appreciated appointments, fear of greater impending evils, makes the prospect dark indeed. Of sixty-two fleet-surgeons, nearly one-half lately enjoyed shore appointments carrying with them great privileges, such as a house and allowances; now all the dockyard appointments are abolished, and those to the drill-ships are to follow. 'The appointment to the recruiting department was the one first to go. Thus sixteen out of twenty-eight shore appointments have been removed. Staff-surgeons also, as compared with chaplains, paymasters, navigators, and engineers complain that they have not their fair share of home service; only one has been three consecutive years in the British Isles. The surgeons also complain of the curtailment of the shore appointments to one year, the time being too short to enable them to take a proper interest in their work. As to the inspectors, he trusts they will not be improved off the face of the earth, and sent to sea.