LEEDS CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
209 
been incomplete, and also that “ it is comparatively powerless,” although perhaps not 
quite so powerless as that term would imply, as witness the Pharmacy Act, and the late 
exemption from duty as jurymen. So that it appears the Society is on the one hand 
censured for not having done enough, and on the other for having done too much. The 
Apothecaries’ Company has succeeded because the Act made education and examination 
compulsory; and if the Pharmacy Act had done the same, the benefit to the trade 
would have been now gradually and steadily progressing. 
The report also says that the Committee adhere to free trade. It would be instructive 
to know what is understood by free trade. Is it consistent with their expressed inten¬ 
tion, that they will not recognize any claimant to an interest in the trade of a chemist 
and druggist longer than six months after they have obtained their Charter of Incor¬ 
poration?—also, that after such period, the future aspirant to the trade will be compelled 
to undergo an examination as to his abilities?—that he must serve a five years’ appren¬ 
ticeship, except under very special circumstances, determinable by the Committee ?—that 
each examination fee shall be two guineas, one-half of which is to go into the pockets of 
the examiners ?—that every chemist in business shall be charged with an annual 
registration fee of twelve shillings, and each assistant and apprentice a fee of six shil¬ 
lings. I think we can scarcely designate all this as free trade. In looking at the rise 
and progress of the United Society, I am afraid the conclusion at which we must arrive 
is this, that those persons who have in no way assisted their brethren in years gone by, 
in those reforms which the Pharmaceutical Society from the first advocated, and -which 
are identical in their general character with those emanating recently from other sources, 
became convinced that, if no effort was made, they would eventually be the sufferers.. 
Hence the desire to join at the prize, although they have contributed nothing towards 
its acquisition. 
But it is to be hoped, that if it should be their lot to contribute to the maintenance 
of the United Society, and work for its success for twenty years without effecting all 
they desire, those who may have been quietly looking on, and who may not be con¬ 
tributing in any form to either Society, will be more considerate and self-denying, 
and more generous in their critiques on the acts and motives of their united but un¬ 
successful brethren. 
However, “ Better late than never.” Now that those gentlemen who, according to a 
previously mentioned authority, constitute the trade, are fully alive to the demands of 
the public upon them as to competent dispensers, and also to the fact that the Legisla¬ 
ture requires a distinction between the competent and incompetent dealer in drugs, we 
may expect that all will earnestly put their shoulders to the wheel, and endeavour to 
make up lost time, and along with the Pharmaceutical Society succeed in accomplishing 
what was wanted in 1841. There is plenty for all to do,—Pharmaceutical chemists, 
members of local associations like our own, and also the members of the United Society; 
and, in reference to the latter, 1 had expected that something more would have been 
done here, considering that upwards of twelve months ago, four secretaries were appointed 
to manage the affairs of the Society in Liverpool. 
Gentlemen, I have to apologize for occupying so much of your time, considering 
that some interesting correspondence has to be brought before your notice this evening. 
Mr. N. Mercer offered some remarks upon the address, in cordial support of the 
views put forth in it; and he then proceeded to read a very interesting correspondence 
between Dr. Inman and Professor Hamilton, on “ Gaseous Exhalations, as nuisances and 
causes of disease.” 
LEEDS CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
The First Annual Meeting was held in the Barristers’ Room, Town Hall, Leeds, 
October 14th, 1863; the President, Mr, Harvey, in the chair. 
Mr. Henry Fryer, Huddersfield, was elected a Corresponding Member. 
The following were elected Associates:—Messrs. Glaisyer, VV. Roebuck, B, Bryer, 
W. Grace, and T. W. Lazenby. 
The President congratulated the members upon the healthy state of the Society, 
which was not only solvent, but had a balance in hand. It will be seen, on reference 
to the expenditure account, that several of the items are unavoidable, and will not occur 
