LIVERPOOL CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 273 
tionable competition, we strive to secure the largest share of trade to our individual 
selves, we shall degenerate into practices which will ever keep us both in fact and in 
public estimation deservedly in the ranks of mere, hucksters.” Papers were read on a 
great \ariety of subjects, and are published in the Pharm. Journ. for this month, form¬ 
ing a most interesting volume for perusal. So extensive are these articles, and so re- 
cently placed in our hands, that it is impossible to do more than allude to them as a 
whole. Very likely the gentlemen who represented us at the Conference, will have 
some remarks to make on the subject. The Conversazione, held on the Friday evening 
comprised a company of about two hundred ladies and gentlemen. “ Three sides of the 
great hall were occupied, by long tables, in some parts two deep, loaded with articles 
chiefly of a character to interest chemists and druggists, yet a large number representing 
ne and industrial arts; a fourth, by a buffet on a liberal scale.” The rooms were taste- 
lullv decorated with flowers, and, the Journal says, “altogether the Conversazione was of 
a most agreeable character; at intervals, short lectures occupying only a few minutes, 
were delivered, each alternating with a musical performance on a six-octave set of musical 
glasses of great purity of tone, by Mr. Bird and his son.” Mr. J. Barclay read a report 
on the Chemical Manufactures of Birmingham and its district,” illustrated by samples 
and Dr. Edwards lectured with experiments on “ the Electric Discharge.” Mr. H. s! 
Evans also exhibited a polariscope for determining the value of essential oils. 
But it is time that I drew these remarks to a close, and perhaps I cannot do so more 
appropriately than by a few words to assistants and apprentices. It is very much to be 
feared that most young persons in the business form a very inadequate idea of what they 
ought to do. Their ideas, if any, are the most vague possible. Some probably think 
that the dreaded five years are to be spent principally hammering at the pestle and mortar, 
with refreshing intervals of bottle-dusting. Others go a little further, as described in 
the words of a letter I lately received from an applicant for office:—“Sir,—I beg to 
reply to your advertisement for an assistant. I am twenty years of age, and has had 
nearly five years and a half experience in making up of tinctures, pills, ointments, etc. 
I.served a four years’ apprenticeship in a first-class house in Glasgow, and have been 
eight months in my present situation. Should you think I would be suitable, I should 
expect a salary of £52 per anum (sic). Satisfactory testimonials will be forwarded if 
necessary.” Rarely have I met with those who had pursued the attainment of theore¬ 
tical and scientific knowledge side by side with practical every-day duties. And yet a 
moment’s reflection should teach you the necessity of securing the former, or book- 
knowledge, as well as the latter. You must do the one, and not leave the other undone. 
You will otherwise become like too many assistants—pharmaceutical abortions; they have 
hands, but no head; a trunk and limbs, but no mind to direct and govern them. Mr. 
Brown’s assiduity in study I never saw equalled. During the year and a half that he 
resided with me he obtained, in the intervals of business, and in time snatched from 
morning sleep, a fair knowledge of three languages, besides special subjects connected 
with the business, and got through also much other educational reading, so that he was 
able this summer to matriculate at the London University. His success proves that not 
great opportunities are required, but great diligence. Men who rise make their own 
opportunities, or at least they have so keen an eye for them that they take the prize 
while others sleep, or yawn, or play, never dreaming that golden opportunities were float¬ 
ing by. Books on your business, then, are to be your chosen companions, and they 
must be studied, not read merely, with method, perseverance, and application (for no 
quality makes up for the -want of application) while your minds are elastic and impres¬ 
sible, and before the cares of responsibility, like your master’s, come upon you ; and, 
instead of looking outside for your pleasures, whether in novels, newspapers, or enter¬ 
tainments, try and find them in your profession. Hear Mr. Deane again, saying that 
“ the honourable position he held amongst them on that occasion was largely due to a 
resolution he made on entering the drug trade, that it should afford him the chief source 
of his pleasures through life, and that by adhering to this rule so early laid down he 
now experienced the highest gratification in the approval of the Conference in his 
humble efforts to serve the cause he had undertaken.” We cannot force you to this 
course. We can only advise,—you must elect your own course. You may, if you choose, 
try how not to learn your business, but in such a case I do not envy the feelings, with 
which you will reflect on lost opportunities, and friendly influence and example 
despised. 
