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HERE has never been a time in the past history of the world when the comfort of naval service was so great as at the present, nor a time of peace when the emoluments of enlisted men in all ratings were SO large; and there is no navy in the world in which the comfort and pay equal the conditions that exist in the Navy of the United States. It is also probably true that there has never in the past been a time, except during periods of actual war, when the opportunity for rapid promotion

was so certain as it is now to come to bright, intelligent young men.

of unskilled labor in shore life. Landsmen, on entering the naval service, receive an outfit of clothing worth $45, and

go on the roll at a monthly pay of $16. They receive a ration calculated at a cash value of $.30 per day, in addition to their monthly paywhich, with the shelter and medical attendance afforded, makes a total fully equivalent to $30 per month, or $7.50 per week, shore wages; and this while being taught the rudiments of a calling. At the expiration of the period of training, which generally lasts about nine months to a year, landsmen are rated as ordinary seamen, with the pay of $19 per month.

The Sailor's Pay

Even in the lowest ratings, the pay of the Navy compares favorably with that

Members of the engine-room force are enlisted as coal passers at $22 per month,

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ATHLETICS IN THE NAVY.-BOXING.

month additional for this service, according to his expertness. The seaman, before the expiration of his first enlistment, may receive a permanent appointment as a petty officer, third class. If he re-enlists within four months, he will be given four months' pay of his last rating; and, on his second enlistment, receives an increase of $1.36 a month during the term of his second and each subsequent enlistment. At the expiration of his second enlistment, if his conduct has been uniformly good, he receives the good conduct badge, which entitles him to an increase of pay of $1.75 per month. If he so desires, upon his second enlistment, he may make application for a term of instruction in either the petty officers' school or the seaman gunner's school, where he will receive instruction which will qualify him for a further increase in rating. If he has

been discharged as a petty officer, third class, he may, on re-enlistment, be rated as acting petty officer, second class; and on receiving an appointment as such, is paid at the rate of $35 per month, together with the various additional amounts to which he may be entitled. If he is rated as a gun pointer, he will receive, in addition to his regular pay, additional amounts ranging from $2 to $10 per month. This would work out for a gunner's mate, second class, upon receiving his permanent appoint

ment at the expiration of the first year of his second enlistment, as follows: Regular pay, $35; ration, $9; if he is a heavy gun pointer, first class, $10; increase for re-enlistment, $1.36; total, $55.36, making, with the equivalent of quarters, medical attendance, etc., as good as $60 per month shore wages.

WRITING LETTERS HOME. Scene on U, S. Cruiser Cleveland.