6 
LIVERPOOL CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
the scientific absorbs and sometimes extinguishes the business qualities of the man ; so, 
by the same rule, as in our own body, the business claims on our time leave but little 
time for, and lead to little of the scientific. 
The qualification both of the medical profession and ours should be made, not only 
compulsory, but as complete as possible ; and this can never be so favourably done as 
in the first full burst of life. 
The annual gathering of the Pharmaceutical Conference at the same time and place 
as the British Association, must have a salutary tendency to elevate chemistry, and espe¬ 
cially pharmaceutical chemistry, but the greater impetus will ever be wanting until we 
get centralized authority, established by Act of Parliament, constituting the Pharma¬ 
ceutical Society the governing body of the dispensers of and dealers in medicines over 
the United Kingdom. This surely we may hope for at no distant date ; but so far as 
the House of Commons is concerned, the commotion of the present state of parties, the 
little that has been done, and the less that is now likely to be done, leaves no hope of 
legislation for us this Session. 
Are we then to look for a second philanthropist to go into Parliament for the avowed 
purpose of carrying a Bill which is more for the public benefit than for the body to 
which we belong ? For my part, I cannot see why the Government of the day, of 
whatever party in politics it may be, should not take up such a matter as this, and pass 
a Bill to which there now seems no reasonable opposition could be raised. As a means 
to this end, our whole efforts should be put forth, by making it a prominent request to 
the various Members of Parliament, bearing in mind the old adage, “ Many hands make 
light work,” and thereby show both our strength and unanimity ; and when could we 
have a more favourable opportunity for this than the coming elections ? 
In speaking of the meetings of the British Association and the Pharmaceutical Con¬ 
ference, we do look forward with the hope that at no distant period we may be honoured 
in Liverpool with visits of both those bodies ; and I think it becomes us to note the 
beneficial influence they have left behind them in places where they have been, espe¬ 
cially the impetus which the Conference seems to have given to the chemists in the 
various towns visited. 
We have for years compared favourably with other towns as regards our Association; 
it would be well, therefore, for us to anticipate these visits, not only by our present 
organization, but by rendering it as efficient as possible. I do hope, therefore, we shall 
make our next Session a march in advance upon those of the past, so that if they do 
come and when they do come, we may be able to give them a reception worthy of them 
and of ourselves. 
As respects the British Association, it is so many years since they visited Liverpool, 
that the learned societies of the town waited upon the mayor of last year, the result of 
which interview was, that an invitation was sent to that body in the name of the mayor 
and corporation, and I believe also the learned societies of Liverpool, but as Liverpool 
is by no means first nor second on the list of invitations, it will be found necessary and 
desirable to repeat it again this year, which I hope will be done. 
I feel pleased to see that the subject of our last meeting—the Metric System of 
Weights and Measures—has been brought before the House of Commons, and that it 
secured so large a majority on its second reading; and although it is not likely to make 
further progress this Session, this does serve to raise our hopes that we shall conform 
to Continental countries in this matter at no distant time. Liverpool is, at present, the 
only town, I believe, where the corn-market is ruled by the cental; but what a simpli¬ 
fying of that trade would result from its general adoption ? Take the ‘ Mark Lane 
Express,’ and a collection of country newspapers, and what can you make of the quota¬ 
tions?—a great chaos! Wheat, barley, oats, and beans, each sold under as many 
definitions, probably in one market; and even if the bushel could be made national, 
scarcely any two towns would agree as to measure and weight of the same grain. If, 
therefore, one universal standard can be established, what convenience, what advantage, 
what satisfaction will be established in the dealings of nation with nation ! The time 
has arrived when every barrier must be removed that tends to isolation. The whole 
world is bound together by the iron cord of electricity, iron roads, and steam navigation. 
I would not contend for identity in name any more than for oneness of language, but 
as the sun and the moon are the same and alike to other nations and to us, although 
defined by each in its own way, so may we have one standard in weight, one standard 
