364 
DUTIES OP MASTERS AND APPRENTICES. 
your space to say a few words on the subject; and at the onset I would ask, 
whether the same motives prompt the man who sends his son from home to 
obtain a business knowledge, as those of the master who takes him ? I fear not: 
in too many instances, with the latter, it is a question of cheap labour, rather 
than to impart the necessary education of the apprentice. Again, many youths 
are taken for the sake of the good round premium advanced by way of a set-off 
to the incumbrance his presence oftentimes engenders. I think, if the capaci¬ 
ties of youths were better studied, and they were employed according to their 
adaptabilities, we should see a more brilliant class of pharmaceutists ; anyhow, 
the natural bent of every one’s inclination should be considered. It is very up¬ 
hill work for a thick-headed or daft lad to comprehend the ins-and-outs of a 
chemist’s business, whilst he might do very well for other trades requiring less 
brain-work. Druggists’ apprentices are often consigned to the back-slums to 
stir up “ filthy messes,” clean bottles, etc., for the first two years or so ; some¬ 
times, to the more exalted position of errand-boy. It may read very well when 
U M. P. S.” speaks of treating pupils as “own sons” or as members of the 
family, but at the present money-grubbing day it is more than we can expect 
of human nature to take cognizance of ; it is to the interest of masters to treat 
their apprentices kindly, also to make them worth their salt as soon as possible, 
and to keep an eye upon their doings; but beyond this all must depend upon 
the individual exertion of the apprentice. I think we shall find usually that it 
is after the period of apprenticeship the greatest strides in chemistry, botany, 
and general scientific knowledge are made. My own case, which is that of “ a 
poor country lad,” who knows but little of aught, backs up this opinion. 
I do not think the “ relaxation” allowed by “M. P. S.” to be worthy of the 
name; the “object in view,” of which v T e hear so much generally, should be 
sought for by the assistants rather than by employers. I have a friend who 
magnanimously sends his young men for a walk (not into “town”) for the 
benefit of their health and his own pocket, the latter taking precedence ; this is 
not fair sailing, the “object in view” is seen through, and the good intention 
pronounced humbug. 
It is within the grasp of most young men to attain the superior position of 
“ Pharmaceutical Chemist.” Year by year the well-iuformed public will in¬ 
crease its recognition of the qualification ; so that it behoves all young chemists 
to be up and alive to the fact, or they will be pronounced not of the right sort. 
I am, etc., 
Wetherby, December 13, 18G3. James IIoulton. 
THE DUTIES OE MASTERS AND APPRENTICES. 
“ Quot homines tot sententise.” 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Dear Sir,—The chemist’s apprentice would indeed be an “ ingrate extraor¬ 
dinary” to his calling, did he not rise to defend himself from the merciless 
shaft levelled at him by Mr. Gissing, and likewise to thank the warm advo¬ 
cacy of a “Paterfamilias.” Allowing that some unhappily have been compelled 
to choose between a “ bacon-factor’s life” and that of a “grocer,” and that 
eventually the “fickle goddess” has intervened on their behalf, and destined 
them to “ assume the toga” in a chemist’s shop; yet such an indirect course 
has not been pursued by all; but some, on the contrary, have enjoyed a fair 
grammar-school education, which in these days is considered essential to one’s 
success either in the professional or the commercial world. There are many 
also entering on the duties of a chemist, to whom Horace and the like are 
familiar, and yet to whom the phrase “pro re nata” (on a prescription care- 
