326 
liOCAL EXAMINATIONS. 
more abstract works on pure Chemistry and Pharmacy. Such might be obtained 
through the medium of Lewis’s Library, or in exchange for the ‘ Pharmaceutical 
Journal.’ These, and all other new books or periodicals added, should be pub¬ 
licly mentioned in the columns of the Journal. 
IV. 'That a permanent advertisement of the Library, its office hours, rules of 
circulation, and the name of its Librarian, should be formally included amongst 
the other official announcements of the Society on the cover of its Journal. 
A Library is the infallible index of the mental status of a Society. No better 
warranty can be given of high intention, nobly planned and zealously carried 
out than the existence of a good scholarly array of books, well chosen and well 
kept. And while the Library stamps the character of a private dwelling- 
house, far more is it the outward and visible sign of the tone and purpose of an 
Association. Our own Society can bear the application of this crucial test, but 
the books want more change of air, and an occasional run into the country ; the 
serials also suffer from too close confinement. 
These thoughts, not hastily conceived nor expressed at random, are respectfully 
but yet earnestly commended to those whom they may concern. 
26, St. George’s Place , Hyde Park Corner. 
LOCAL EXAMINATIONS. 
Sir,—If in one sense it is a secret that the Council of the Pharmaceutical 
Society has for some months past been considering the question of Local Exami¬ 
nations, it is a secret that is known to several hundreds of our members, and 
it would be mere affectation to ignore it because it has not been officially pub¬ 
lished. But, it may almost be said to have been published, since a circular 
addressed to the Local Secretaries on October 21st directed them to gather the 
opinions of the Pharmaceutical Chemists, and of others in their neighbourhood 
upon this question. 
The terms in which the queries of this circular were couched might well chal¬ 
lenge criticism, as tending to bias the replies unfavourably towards the new 
idea. For instance, it was asked, “ Whether, the examinations remaining the 
same as at present,” a sufficient number of candidates would present themselves. 
This was something like a reductio ad absurdum , since it implied that the pro¬ 
vinces could do as much almost without any educational appliances of a tech¬ 
nical character, as Bloomsbury Square was accomplishing by means of these 
aids. Still, the replies from all the chief towns in the country, all the towns 
having a population of one hundred thousand or more, were decidedly in favour 
of Local Examinations. Of course, these were the places immediately concerned, 
and their verdict was of the greatest importance. 
But the discussion of the question has shown the existence of so much mis¬ 
understanding as to what is meant by the term “ Local Examinations,” that it 
is essential to define our premises before carrying the argument further. In 
advocating Local Examinations, I wish that we should follow the example of 
the English Universities and of the Society of Arts, as shown in their schemes of 
middle-class examinations. The success of these examinations for five or six 
years, has thoroughly proved the truth of the idea involved, viz. that it is pos¬ 
sible to test the scientific knowledge of candidates upon an absolutely uniform 
plan, without requiring that they should attend in London. 
Let us look at the result. Some thousands of young men have voluntarily 
passed these examinations, and given this proof of their sufficient knowledge. 
At the last examination held by the University of Oxford, 160 candidates 
passed in London, and 464 at thirteen other “ centres.” 
