THE HOSPITAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 421, 5 December 1868, Page 2

THE HOSPITAL CORRESPONDENCE.

{To the Editor of the Westport Times and Charleston Argus.)

Sie. —I again take up my pen, not to extenuate anything that I have already written, or to set down aught in malice on the part of your esteemed correspondent whose letter appears in this morning's paper, for the expressions which, let us hope, in a moment of irritability, have fallen from his pen, regarding your " intelligent" correspondent signing himself "Another Subscriber."

I wish simply to inform the gentleman who was supposed to be alluded to in the postcript of my former letter, that there was neither attempt, nor intention, on my part, to hurt his feelings, to injure his private practice, or to derogate in the slightest degree from the respect and honor due to the office which he now holds. It was only intended to point out, what would be apparent to any disinterested person, viz—the anomaly of appointing almost a stranger, no matter how clever that stranger might be in his particular profession, to what everyone must more or less consider an honor.

Truly the inhabitants of a township, like Westport, of nearly two years' standing, must be singularly devoid of talent, when the first honorary appointment conferred upon an inhabitant of the place is given to a gentleman who was a few weeks ago an utter stranger. Trusting that you will pardon me for again troubling you.—l am, Sir, Tour obedient Servant. ANOTHER SUBSCBIBEB. Dec 4.

{To the Editor of tlie Westport Times and Charleston Argus.) Str.—Reading the letter of Dr. Griles in this morning's issue regarding Hospital affairs, and, seeing letters that have been written for and against them, have rou ed my feeble pen. I write for information. A few months ago a few store-keepers came round the Caledonian for subscriptions for the Hospital. As the Hospital at that time was entirely supported by Government aid, they told us that for every pound that we subscribed the Govern-

ment would subsidize with two pounds, and that (iniud'you,they impressed this upon our minds) every one who subscribed one pouud one shilling, would be admitted as a patient or have the privilege of recommending one person within twelve mouths (unconditionally.) Now I find that the first question that is put to a patient on entering the Hospital is " Have you any money ?" If he has, they claim it for fees. Why, sir, if we miners were to form an Hospital Committee up here, with our own subscriptions, with G ivemment aid, we could keep our own patients up here cheaper ; or, putting it on one side, if any accident occurred, subscribe a few pounds and help the patient. At any rate it would be an improvement on the present Hospital Committee arrangement. Supposing we summoned the men who canvassed our subscriptions before Dr. Giles for obtaining money under false pretences, what would be his verdict ? To conclude, I dare say a good many subscribers would like to hear Dr. Giles's explanation,—how he and the rest of the Committee mean to satisfy the present subscribers, so as to get them to subscribe as liberally next year. Tours obediently, Caledonian, Dec 6. A Miner.