204 



THE ALUMNI JOURNAL, 



by Dr. J. Norman Collie, F. R. S., who for 

 the last six years has been assistant pro- 

 fessor at University College, IvOndon. 

 Dr. Attfield has never visited this coun- 

 try, although he has done so much for 

 pharmacy in America. Now that he 

 will have the leisure, if he could be per- 

 suaded to pay us a visit, we can assure 

 him a hearty welcome and worthy re- 

 ception. 



Plans have been filed in the Depart- 

 ment of Buildings by the University of 

 the City of New York for a building to 

 be used as a library and zoological mu- 

 seum by the University. The building 

 will be in the form of a semi-circle, one 

 story in height, and the cost is put at 

 $50,000. 



W. C. MacDonald, of Montreal, has 

 given $500,000 to McGill University for 

 the purpose of providing a building for 

 the study of chemistry, mining and 

 architecture. This brings his gifts to 

 this university up to $2,000,000, Mr. 

 MacDonald is a tobacco manufacturer in 

 Montreal, who has made his money in 

 that city, and believes in having good 

 work done whilst he can see for himself 

 that his gifts are accomplishing the ob- 

 jects of his desire. Are there no mil- 

 lionaires in New York who are willing 

 to endow our College ? 



THE EDUCATION OF PHARMACISTS. 



We publish in this issue a masterly 

 paper on the subject of chemical educa- 

 tion, by Professor Austen, which we 

 commend to all students of chemistry, 

 business men, parents and guardians 

 generally, for careful perusal. At this 

 time many young men may be wavering 

 as to whether such a course of study as 

 is provided by our College may be ad- 



vantageous to them . The practical advice 

 given in this paper will be of assistance 

 in enabling them to determine their 

 course of action. In our last issue we 

 published an address by Dr. Duisberg 

 on what we might term the higher edu- 

 cation of chemists, showing what is re- 

 quired in Germany before a student is 

 qualified to take the position of a techni- 

 cal chemist. On the occasion of the 

 delivery of that address. Professor Cob- 

 lentz called attention to the fact that in 

 America we wanted to make haste all 

 the time. We were in too great a harry 

 to turn out so-called chemists, under 

 pressure from the parents, rushing the 

 students through the colleges. In some 

 instances our graduates go to Germany to 

 complete their studies on account of the 

 facilities offered there. It is with hope 

 of arousing a sentiment for the provision 

 of means by which this higher chemical 

 education may be obtained in this coun- 

 try that we have taken up this subject — 

 one which is attracting the attention of 

 educationists and scientists in different 

 parts of the world, other nations having 

 realized the fact that the supremacy of 

 Germany in technical industries, both 

 from a scientific and commercial stand- 

 point, has been accomplished by these 

 supreme educational advantages. 



But whilst we aim at so elevating the 

 calling of the professional and technical 

 chemist and would also elevate that of 

 the pharmacist — in our sphere, this high 

 standard is not an absolute requirement, 

 we are desirous of raising the professional 

 standing of the druggist and chemist, 

 but must not overlook a fact which is too 

 often most patent, that the commercial 

 side of the question should not be neg- 

 lected, and here the Alumni Association 

 can get in its work. Instead of having 

 the course of winter lectures, all of a so- 

 cial and entertaining character — why 

 not have a series of lectures on " How 



