In recording some observations on the navy ration which the writer had an opportunity of making during last winter, he desires it to be understood at the outset that this paper is not intended to criticize adversely the present navy ration nor those who may be responsible for the same. Neither is it, on the other hand, the intention to look at things through the spectacles of that very engaging list of eatables which is passed around immediately, the moment the word "ration" is pronounced in certain quarters. We propose to look at the navy ration and its administration with unprejudiced eyes, armed only by a few simple but telling experiments. It does not require a great deal of experience to know that there is as yet a long way from a market or even a bill of fare to the inside of a man's stomach. If, therefore, it should suggest itself to the reader of this paper that certain steps on this way might put up with some very desirable improvements, let it be remembered that all such improvements have originated in criticisms prompted by the proper motives and rendered in the right spirit.
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