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Their rations are the same as those of the army; all savings are employed for the benefit of the Asylum, and so far towards the purchase of articles not allowed in the Government ration.

"For misconduct (of which drunkenness, fighting, abusive and profane language may be enumerated as the most prominent), or for any conduct subversive of good order and discipline, inmates will be subject to punishment by the stoppage of their pocket-money and small stores, curtailments of their rations, and confinement, or otherwise, at the discretion of the governor, or acting-governor, and for a repetition of any such offences they may be dismissed." The surgeon considers that the present regulations, or others more stringent still, should be strictly insisted on in order to keep the establishment in proper order. Men with nothing to do are restive under prohibitory laws and will disregard them. This is true of the superannuated as well as the youthful. The difference between them, on the score of insubordination, is one of degree and not of kind.

Furloughs are given from time to time to members of the Asylum, not exceeding a number of days, fixed by the authorities. Should the inmate not return at the expiration of the furlough, he is entered on the rolls as a deserter. Desertion, or absence without leave, deprives the inmate of the privilege of re-admission to the Asylum, unless special admission be obtained from the executive committee; this, however, it seems, has been comparatively very easy to obtain, and men have returned two or three times after their names had been stricken from the rolls. As the use of the Asylum has been somewhat loose on this subject, whenever men are dissatisfied they quickly determine to leave, believing that they can readily regain their old status in the institution.

At the present time, Sept. 2, 1862, the number of inmates is 112; the capacity of the building is said by the authorities to be 180, although one can readily see that 250 might possibly be accommodated without any great inconvenience. The expenses for the Asylum for the year ending July 1, 1862, were $35,022. A great increase of the number of inmates would not greatly increase the expense of the establishment. Indeed, the only items which would be increased would be those of food and clothing. On this account it would be desirable that such an establishment as the Asylum should consist of many beneficiaries and not of few. The increase of expense after the erection of proper buildings, and the purchase of the grounds, does not go onpari passu with the number of the inmates. It is poor economy to have a large number of such Asylums, and experience here teaches how readily, when the plan of an institution is once fully and completely determined on, it may be indefinitely enlarged without anything like a proportionate expenditure. There, is of course, another argument in favor of a large establishment over one of less proportions, -- the feeling that one is an integral portion of a great body, is always more gratifying and cheering, and is well calculated to prevent the despondency and hypochondria too common in all eleemosynary establishments.

As regards the health of "the old soldier," an excellent account is furnished by Dr. King. Not more than three per cent, of sickness are found on an average in the hospital. Five per cent, represent the total sickness in hospital and quarters. Phthisis is not unfrequent with the Irish, who die at a comparatively early age. The good health prevalent here may be attributed to the location of the Asylum, on the high ground north of Washington, free from the depressing influences of malaria and the impure emanations which hang over cities. The fresh, pure air, freedom from care and annoyance, and sound, wholesome food, -- these account for the healthy glow and the sturdy appearance of the veterans.

One constant source of trouble in the government of the Asylum, is the use of intoxicating drinks to excess. No liquor is allowed in the institution. The inmates however succeed in getting it whenever they leave the grounds, sometimes smuggling it within the buildings and getting into trouble in consequence. If this source of trouble were removed, the discipline of the institution could be carried out with the greatest ease.

In the way of amusements great want is experienced. The men play checkers, dominoes. There is no bowling saloon or billiard table, to attract them from dull brooding. The consequence is, when they have exhausted their fund of anecdote, and have tired of hearing each other's accounts of hard fought battles, unless they are working on the farm, a killing ennui seizes them, which gladly finds relief in intoxication or other occasional violation of the regulations. The human mind as well as the human body must be employed, in order that a happy condition of health may be attained. The greater the variety of which this employment consists, the more perfect the result to man. It seems somewhat surprising that amusements in the way of experimental "talks" (rather than lectures) on objects of interest in science and the passing events of the day have not been introduced into this institution. These would serve to beguile many a weary hour, and afford topics for discussion, at small expense to the government. Models of improvements in warlike weapons might be exhibited in museums, and charts of battles could be hung around the walls, serving to keep the soldier supplied with constant material for thought and conversation. Again, a good military band is almost indispensable to such an Asylum. The old music that had thrilled the soul during his active term of service should still be supplied the soldier for the purpose of stirring up old reminiscences and making the blood course gaily through his blood-vessels. And while the airs that had so often cheered him in battle should thus meet his ears, the stirring tones of martial music should also be sources of constant delight and joy. The trophies of his country's victories would find their fitting place of deposit here, and he should feel that they were part of his own birth right, entrusted to his care to guard, from the destructive effects of time and decay, as far as diligent guardianship would ensure such a result. Why suspend such trophies in empty armories, separate from the gallant souls whose valor has won them for the country? Let both the evidence of victory and the worn out warriors be kept in our asylums, -- alike the objects of a nation's pride and a nation's care.