SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE BENEVOLENT FUND. 
539 
“These men would be in no way interfered with by the proposed legislation, 
but, being engaged in the same trade, I know many of them would like such a 
provision ; and beyond that, I regard the union of all men of one calling as an 
important means for elevating the standing of the whole body. 
4 4 1 have written rather fully on this matter, because I am anxious to assure 
you that there is really no foundation for the oft-repeated charge made against 
the Society, over which I have the honour to preside, of a desire to subjugate 
all chemists and druggists throughout the country to their authority ; and I trust 
you will agree with me in thinking that the measure we desire to pass is one 
which would be beneficial, and ought to be supported by the whole trade. 
“ I have the honour to be, Sir, 
44 Your obedient Servant, 
“George W. Sandforo. 
“ To Henry Matthews, Esq., 
“ President of the United Society oj Chemists and Druggists .” 
There is ground for encouragement in the spirit manifested in this corre¬ 
spondence, and in the prospect it seems to present, that when the next effort is 
made for the attainment of pharmaceutical legislation, those equally and alike 
interested in the result will not be found acting in opposition to each other. 
SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE BENEVOLENT FUND. 
We alluded last month, to the effects of personal exertion among some of our 
members in obtaining subscriptions to the Benevolent Fund, and there is fresh 
evidence, on the present occasion, of the increased interest generally felt with 
reference to this important feature of our institution. The fund has been 
Gradually, but at times rather slowly, increasing ever since the formation of the 
Society It was at one time intended that it should not be applied to the 
^ranting of pensions until the invested capital had reached the amount of 
£10 000 • but last year it was determined at once to bring the granting of 
pensions into operation, and the wisdom of this decision is abundantly proved 
by the increase in the number of subscriptions which have since been received. 
Taking the first four months of the year, the amount received this year has been 
nearly double what it was for the same period last year This is partly to be 
ascribed to increased general interest, and partly, no doubt to individual exer¬ 
tion. If members in different parts of the country would follow the examples 
which have been set at Bath and elsewhere, the fund would soon be augmented 
to the amount formerly contemplated, and the benefits resulting from its appli¬ 
cation would be so far increased as to leave no further anxiety for the mainte¬ 
nance of this means of helping our necessitous brethren. 
2 N 2 
