490 
PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANTS AND APPRENTICES. 
appears to have been a mystery about the prosecution altogether. The magis¬ 
trates committed, and the Grand Jury, composed of magistrates, confirmed the 
committal by finding a true bill, yet it has been clearly shown that there was 
not sufficient ground for such a prosecution, not only by the immediate acquittal 
of the accused by the jury before whom the case was tried, but also, and espe¬ 
cially, by the Judge’s charge to the Grand Jury, and by his having practically 
stopped the trial before any defence was offered. We feel assured that Mr.. 
N oakes will have the sympathy of his brethren throughout the whole country, 
on account of the pain and anxiety he must have suffered in connection with 
this sad case. It will be some satisfaction to him, and some atonement for the 
unnecessary infliction to which he has been subjected, that he has received an 
honourable acquittal by judge and jury, and we hope and confidently expect 
that he will continue to enjoy the confidence of the medical men and public 
of Brighton by whom he has been so long patronized. 
PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANTS AND APPRENTICES. 
We have inserted communications this month from “A Member by Exami¬ 
nation,” and U A Registered Apprentice,” which give rather a discouraging 
view of the condition and prospects of the rising generation of Chemists and 
Druggists. The object of the writers has obviously been to promote the ad¬ 
vancement of the qualification and social position of the members of the trade 
to which they belong, and we would aid them in the furtherance of this object, 
but think the descriptions given of the existing condition of Chemists’ Assistants 
and Apprentices is too sweeping and depreciatory. That there is room for im¬ 
provement in all the particulars referred to, we have no doubt, but neither can 
it be doubted that much has been done towards raising the status of those now 
entering the business. Not only are apprentices drawn from a better class than 
formerly, but there is much more encouragement afforded them for the acquire¬ 
ment of scientific knowledge, and the number of those who avail themselves of 
the advantages offered is, we believe, steadily increasing. The list of registered 
Apprentices of the Society, as well as of those who pass both Minor and Major 
examination, is yearly increasing, and, at the same time, there is an increase in 
the proportion of candidates who successfully prepare for the examinations 
without availing themselves of the means of instruction provided in Bloomsbury 
Square. This is good evidence of a growing improvement from which we may 
take encouragement. At no time since the formation of the Pharmaceutical 
Society have the prospects of the cause in which it labours been brighter tha 2 i 
they are at present, and although much yet remains to be done, and pictures 
may be drawn representing the uncultivated state of the land in places, there are 
ample grounds for congratulation with reference to the past, and for hope with 
reference to the future. 
