366 
THE AU STRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
ceutical Society — the nucleus of future greatness. “B” seemed to be the initial 
letter of the more active members of your council, and, if I remember rightly, 
four of them rejoiced in names commencing with that letter — viz., Blackett, 
Bosisto, Bowen, and Baker — bees enough to start a respectable apiary. 
Comparing country with town, the pharmacists of the latter are probably 
more energetic from necessity. We all sing the praises of competition in other 
businesses, and, although we may not relish it, we cannot escape. In spite of this 
I have sometimes experienced an astonishing apathy and neglect of opportunities. 
The cultivation of a trade in effervescing drinks might become with many 
chemists a source of considerable profit, as has been proved in the United 
States, and in a lesser degree in England ; but my experience here is that 
the public are not, as a rule, encouraged to patronise pharmacies for such 
refreshment. 
One hot summer day, feeling extremely thirsty, I strolled into a suburban corner 
shop and asked for some effervescing drink. The young gentleman who presided 
in a don’t-care sort of manner inquired if a seidlitz would suit, “ because we 
don't keep any other and then he added, “ You can get soda-water and 
lemonade at any greengrocer’s/* 
This pharmacy was one of four or five in a good thoroughfare, where rents 
must be high, in an excellent position, with an attractive appearance. In such 
a place the drinks alluded to alone should pay all expenses. 
The many hours some town pharmacies are kept open in a country where 
the eight hours’ system is recognised is a source of astonishment to visitors, and 
it seems regrettable the bad habits of the old country should be so servilely 
copied here. Sunday trade, with a little management, might be reduced by being 
discouraged, whilst 9 p.m. is quite late enough for assistant or principal to be 
kept with nose to grindstone. In this connection I have noticed that the greater 
number of chemists in the southern suburbs close at or about 9 p.m., and I 
also find that they have formed an association for this and other purposes. I have 
been informed by the energetic secretary of this association (JVIr. Chamberlin) 
that no one member has yet complained of a falling off in business since the 
hours of labour have been shortened. 
The position of chemists in general throughout Victoria appears to be 
immeasurably superior to that of the same class in Britain or the other colonies of 
this group, thanks to the wise legislation prompted by energetic and far-seeing 
men. It now remains for the rising generation of chemists, in order to conserve 
their interests, to jealously guard the rights and privileges for which their 
predecessors have had to work so hard. And last, but not least, as a visitor 
from beyond the seas, I desire to express the admiration I feel at the noble 
building secured by the council for the College of Pharmacy, the energy and 
foresight displayed in obtaining an instructor of ability from England, and the 
general excellence of the arrangements in the laboratory, museum, and library. 
“ Don’t prophecy unless you know,” is a safe advice to follow, but I think I 
may venture the forecast that, under the fostering care of Mr. A. H. Jackson, 
and the careful business management of the hon. secretary, Mr. Shillinglaw, the 
Melbourne College will become the most efficient and attractive school of phar- 
macy and chemistry in the Southern Hemisphere ; a point to which future 
Australian students will turn as naturally as those of England to London. 
The French Anti-Tobacco Society has offered a prize for an essay on the 
effect of smoking upon literary men and the chance that the habit may ruin 
French literature. 
