228 DUTIES OF MASTERS AND APPRENTICES. 
be the best, because the coolest. When we wish to bleach oils in our windows, 
it would be well for us always to be particular what tint the glass bottle has into 
which we place the oil. Colourless glass, of course, would be the best. It is pos¬ 
sible that light affects the brilliancy of our tinctures as much as the air. Take 
tincture of myrrh for example : when it becomes muddy, the remedy suggested is 
to make up (with more spirit) the deficiency lost in evaporation; but the addition 
of the spirit does not dissolve the deposit, nor yet brighten the tincture. The 
insoluble sediment is said to be oxidized : now this is questionable, for gums in 
the preparation of varnishes are said to be much more easily dissolved by being 
freely exposed in a powdered state to the action of the air, or, in other words, 
oxidized . May the light (in this case and many others) not be the cause of 
chemical action? 
The use of yellow bottles on our shelves might cnange the appearance of 
shops ; it would compel the use of a different kind of label, as the gold label 
would not contrast well with yellow bottles. Chevreul’s principles would lead 
us to choose a label of a violet hue, or a colour complementary to yellow, so 
that the harmony of colours might be preserved. 
The objection to the use of the yellow glass in the window would be that 
it might interfere with the health of assistants by checking that portion of the 
light which is so essential to life. I remember having seen somewhere an ac¬ 
count of some factory inspector who objected to yellow colouring in houses, as 
he always found the people most unhealthy in them. The subject may pos¬ 
sibly be worthy the attention of those versed in such matters. 
Hexham , October , 15, 1863. JAMES S. T. W. SMITH, 
DUTIES OF MASTEES AND AEPEENTICES. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir,—At the first monthly meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society’s present 
session, it was the usual pleasure of the attending members, not less perhaps 
than of the Examiners and Professors, to witness the distribution of honours to 
the heroes of the evening and of the last session. If that gratification, then, 
somewhat exceeded the ordinary, it was explained in the Professors’ reports ; 
and if my own interest in the proceedings culminated to a little extravagance, 
I hope it was understood and will be emulated. I certainly felt it as much 
duty as pleasure to add my experience to that of the Professors respecting the 
then pronounced champion of pharmaceutical students; and, but for fear of 
intruding upon the meeting’s already far advanced time, should have ven¬ 
tured a little admonitory comment upon the mutual position and duties of 
masters and apprentices, in this age when “ Forward ” is, or should be, our 
motto, and “ Education” our watchword. Not that I can improve upon what 
has before been written in this Journal on the subject, nor construe more plainly 
the requirements of the indentures, already set forth with such parchmentine 
precision that he who runs may read. But certain it is that we, as natural 
branches of the genus Aomo, are apt sometimes to fall into a very lethargic 
condition, becoming quite oblivious of the interest and intellectual progress of 
ourselves and fellows. Would that such oblivion could be termed simply for¬ 
getfulness, though I very much fear that both master and apprentice are 
sometimes guilty of something more reprehensible. Taking, then, the practical 
value and result of such offences, we charitably divide the blame, calling it six 
of one and half-a-dozen of the other ; and this perhaps is recognized as gospel 
by the million. But there remains the moral side of the matter to be considered, 
and the responsibility, I apprehend, cannot be so equally divided, for it falls on 
the head of the older. 
