DUTIES OF MASTERS AND APPRENTICES. 
229 
That indentures are frequently drawn up between two individuals upon false 
premises, as was faithfully pictured in, and that by an able contributor to, this 
Journal, about six months back, I thoroughly believe; and had that writer 
carried his “drear and icy landscape” a little further, it would not have been 
difficult to see that he who undertook the “ locus pai'entis v as often came short 
in his duty or ability, or both, as the parent or guardian of “scanty informa¬ 
tion.” And in this supplement to the portrait, were our Cheltenham corre¬ 
spondent to try to put in a few of his “ nice little touches,” it remains to be 
proved that the “landscape” would not be left like the first, as true with as 
without them. 
But let us hope that what is, not always will be ; that the extent as well as 
the bent of a youth’s education will be consulted before placing him to a pro¬ 
fession which, like all of that denomination, cannot be properly acquired within 
the hours and place of counter duties only ; that when bound, apprentices will 
show a disposition to work faithfully and diligently in the shop, and zealously to 
avail themselves of what time they can procure for study, and which I am sure 
will be forthcoming in proportion as it is sought; and lastly, though not least, 
that masters, if only in consideration of the fair premium paid them, will 
really do their best,—with encouragement or pressure as may be needful,—and 
afford their pupils every facility for obtaining a proper scientific introduction 
to their profession, as well as drill them into those habits which make the man 
of business. I consider it only a fair arrangement that all apprentices living 
in London, or in towns where lectures immediately connected with his pro¬ 
fession are delivered, should have the option of attending one session during the 
last year of their term, subject, of course, to their being sufficiently advanced. 
I think also they should be allowed occasionally, if not always, to make or see 
made, according to their advancement, every Pharmacopoeia preparation which 
it is conveniently possible to have made on the premises, and that no other than 
the recognized Pharmacopoeia should be followed, where the preparation is to 
represent that book in the dispensing of physicians’ prescriptions and family 
recipes, or in the supply of medicines of ordinary repute. Thus, with a little 
explanation as to the modus operandi, cause and effect, etc., at the time, and 
carefully reading up his manufacture after business hours or during its slack 
intervals, the pupil may, almost as it were by the way, get his Pharmacopoeia 
by heart at the end of his term. Having also been brought up to the correct 
mode of doing things, he will not, in his first assistantship, unconsciously injure 
the repute of his late master, or expose his own shortcoming, by ignoring the 
existence of Liq. Ammon. Citrat., and substituting Liq. Ammon. Acet., or by 
gravely raising the specific gravity of proof-spirit to the unhappy medium of 
“ half-and-half.” The convenience with which the wholesale druggists can now 
supply the retailer with most preparations as cheaply as, if not more so, than lie 
can make them himself, no doubt interferes with a great deal of home manufac¬ 
ture, which is avoided by some for expense and trouble’s sake (and in a degree 
rightly so), while others, in the routine of orders, really forget its importance 
on behalf of their apprentices. But this should not be ; and if extra expense 
does sometimes present itself in the way of gas consumption, smashing of appa¬ 
ratus, or loss of produce, etc., the liberal-minded sufferer will recollect that his 
pupil’s premium affords due reimbursement, though the latter must not expect 
to escape a lecture, and sometimes an angry one, on carefulness. Nor, in virtue 
of the losses he must supply, will the wholesale vendor in the long run have 
much reason to complain. Theory without practice will avail little in scientific 
manipulations, for a thing once or twice made will not be easily forgotten. 
This principle is recommended to masters, not merely as a duty, but a source of 
gratification, whereby the student at the close of his term is enabled to work 
more successfully than otherwise for his diploma of qualification. 
