LIVERPOOL chemists’ association. 
207 
this country, neither is it desirable. Some advocates for free trade in physic may per¬ 
haps say that the desirability of education and voluntary examinations is fully recognized 
by all, but that it is not necessary to make them compulsory and binding upon all; then I 
would reply that you just stop short of that particular act which crowns the whole 
structure, and without which the edifice is incomplete, and its object limited. 
A simply permissive or voluntary examination, such as obtains in connection with 
the Pharmaceutical Society, may induce some young students who are ambitious of 
honours, and who also entertain a correct view of the responsibilities which attach to 
the profession, and who also may consider such a proceeding very politic in a pecuniary 
point of view, to subject themselves to the expense and ordeal of an examination ; but 
the proportion who would act thus, past experience has proved would be very limited. 
But I am happy to say we have some gentlemen connected with our own Association 
who have done this. It is one thing to provide a remedy for certain grievances ; but, 
without means are also devised for applying and enforcing that remedy, little good 
will result. Some gentlemen, for whose opinion I entertain the highest respect, appear 
to be such enthusiastic free traders that they will not sanction any legislation or con¬ 
trol, even with physic. Now, although I am, in a modified sense, an advocate for free 
trade, yet I should hail the day when a compulsory examination should be the law 
before any young man be permitted to commence business as a chemist and druggist on 
his own account. And my impression is, that the practice of pharmacy throughout 
Gre:t Britain will never be what it ought to be until that is accomplished. 
The course which legislation has been taking during the last fifty years seems to 
shadow forth many future beneficial changes, both in abolishing laws which prohibit 
or restrict useful legitimate labour, as for instance, the excise laws on the manufacture 
of paper, glass, soap, etc., and also the enactment of measures tending to the good of 
the community, more especially in reference to their social condition ; amongst which I 
may mention the Factory Act, the prevention of women working in mines, police organiza¬ 
tion, education, laws for the preservation of health, compulsory scientific examinations, etc. 
And these subjects still occupy the especial earnest attention of many statesmen, patriots, 
and philanthropists. The Social Science Association has popularized the study of ques¬ 
tions of this character, and no doubt through that medium influenced and assisted the 
Legislature in the passing of some of these measures. Lari Russell, when speaking oil 
a recent occasion, made the following remark:—“ We all remember the alarm which 
was felt by the farmers when the Corn Laws were repealed ; but with respect to that 
subject, as well as many others, it has been a constant observation that has occurred to 
my mind, as years passed on, that many of our laws were made, not to prevent men 
doing evil, which ought to be the object of all laws, but to prevent them doing what 
was legitimate, and even sometimes exceedingly useful.” 
Now, the instances of beneficial changes which I have already given, may be taken 
as illustrations of the noble Earl’s remark. And the discussion of these subjects is now 
engaging the attention of the Society formed for that especial object, namely, the Social 
Science Association. 
Before closiug my remarks I will again very briefly allude to what has been done 
during the past twenty years, in order to secure the great object for which I am con¬ 
tending. Most of you, I dare say, well recollect that a society composed of Chemists 
and Druggists was formed in 1841, for the purpose of advocating and enjoining educa¬ 
tion and examination upon the future members of our trade, and also for mutual pro¬ 
tection against any invasion of our interests. An invitation, by the promoters, was issued 
to every chemist and druggist in Great Britain to join in the movement, and the re¬ 
sponse was exceedingly large, embracing nearly all the leading men in the trade, and 
the result was the establishment of the Pharmaceutical Society. That Society, under 
the able care and guidance of the late Jacob Bell, than whom I believe no better 
friend of the chemist and druggist ever existed, made every effort to carry out the object 
contemplated, and if all had responded, it would no doubt have been successful. Un¬ 
fortunately, however, either from indifference, neglect, or perhaps on account of the 
few shillings which, in the form of an annual subscription, were required to meet the 
ordinary working expenses of the Society, a considerable number of persons did not lend a 
helping hand. The Society how r ever continued its exertions, and in 1843 a charter of incor¬ 
poration was granted to it, by which certain privileges were acquired. In 1852 an Act of 
Parliament was obtained securing further advantages to the Society. And very recently 
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