Augusta Hospital. 367 



Of course vvhilsl in Berlin I first paid my respects to Her 

 Majesty the Empress and Queen, whom I saw there for the 

 first time after the death of my husband. Her Majesty kindly 

 inquired about my affairs and future plans, and hearing from 

 me that my presence in Berlin would be required for a longer 

 time, and further that I was thinking of taking charge of some 

 hospital, Her Majesty graciously oftered me a room in the 

 Augusta hospital, where I not only would save great expense 

 but have an opportunity of making myself acquainted with the 

 management of such an establishment. I, of course, accepted 

 with the greatest thanks. 



The Augusta Hospital is a creation of Her Majesty, and 

 under her special protection and care. It is situated in finely 

 laid-out grounds, and consists of a main building and two 

 American barracks connected with it. It is certainly the 

 finest and most elegant hospital I have seen on the Continent, 

 and is not intended to be a general hospital, like the chanty 

 anc other establishments in Berlin, but more to afford accom- 

 modation ior sick persons who are able to pay for their board 

 and treatment, though there are also about a dozen beds for 

 poor people. • _ 



In establishing this hospital Her Majesty, thinking of the 

 many poor daughters of noble families intended to create, lor 

 a number ot them at least, a field of noble activity, by which 

 they might benefit society and find at the same time protection 

 against care and want. 



At the head of this hospital was a Countess Rittberg ; and 

 four other ladies, belonging to noble families, assisted her, witti 

 a number of nurses and servants. These ladies wear all a 

 rather simple but extremely becoming uniform dress, and are 

 distinguished by a round white brooch with a red cross on it 

 Each two of these ladies have very elegantly and properly 

 arranged apartments, and there are besides other rooms for 

 their accommodation, as a dining-room, etc. They have free 

 . lodging in the hospital, and about fifteen pounds a year pocket- 

 money. The first dress is given to them, but afterwards they 

 have to provide for their clothing themselves. 



The whole hospital makes a very agreeable impression, for 

 all the arrangements are very practical and convenient, and on 

 going through the different wards one has not the uncomforta- 

 ble feeling experienced in many public hospitals, where econ- 



