EDINBURGH MEETING. 
21 
Some remarks having been made by Mr. D. K. Brown and others, a very cordial vote 
of thanks to Dr. Gamgee for his interesting communication was carried with accla¬ 
mation. 
The President then read his Valedictory Address. 
Having referred to the subjects which had come before the scientific meetings in the 
course of the session, and to the very important event which had recently occurred in 
the passing of the Pharmacy Act of last year, allusion was made to the result of the 
examinations in ^Scotland, where it appears that nearly 200 young men have proved 
their fitness to fulfil the important duties they are required to perform in connection 
with pharmacy. With reference to this subject, the President said he would repeat a 
word of advice to students, given in their Journal a few months ago, to the effect that 
they should not attempt to do too much at once, but work steadily, systematically, and 
perseveringly at the subjects prescribed; and thus, little by little, but every little well 
done, they would ultimately raise a superstructure of knowledge on a broad and solid 
foundation, which would enable them in after-life to take a safe and creditable position 
as members of the pharmaceutical body, and to hold their own against all competitors. 
At the close of the address, intimation was made of the annual meeting, and the ar¬ 
rangements for the library and museum during the summer months. Mr. Mackay also 
presented to the Society a proof-copy of an engraving of the late Jacob Bell, after Land¬ 
seer, from Thomas H. Hills, Esq., London. Mr. M., in connection with this portrait, 
stated that Mr. Hills had, in the most handsome and liberal manner, paid the cost of 
engraving the picture, as well as printing the copies, and which it was the intention of 
Mr. Hills to hand over to the Society free of all expense. Copies in three stages would 
be offered for sale, the proceeds of which, it was understood, Mr. Hills would throw into 
a fund, with a view in some way to be afterwards fixed, to assist and encourage the 
educational department of the Society in London and Edinburgh. Subscription lists 
would therefore be opened in the course of the summer for those who wished to obtain 
a faithful likeness of the founder of our Society, and, when the sum was fairly realized, 
Mr. Hills would make known more definitely his wishes in regard to its disposal. Mean¬ 
while Mr. M. proposed that a hearty vote of thanks should be recorded to Mr. Hills for 
his very valuable and liberal gift. This was carried unanimously, amidst loud applause. 
The meeting thereafter adjourned, after viewing the plate forming the Mackay Testi¬ 
monial. 
Annual Meeting of the North British Branch of the Pharmaceutical Society. 
The Annual Meeting of the Society in Edinburgh took place at Slaney’s Douglas 
Hotel on Thursday evening, May 27; Mr. Ainslie, President, in the chair. 
The Secretary having been called upon, read the following annual report:— 
The scientific meetings during the past Session have been four in number, and were 
not without considerable interest to the Society. All were well attended, and the Coun¬ 
cil beg to offer their best thanks to those gentlemen who contributed papers. 
The Library and Museum still continue to receive attention from the Council. Con¬ 
siderable additions are expected to be made to the former, previous to the commence¬ 
ment of next Session, w r hile the latter will not only be rearranged, but opportunities 
afforded for any one connected with the Society examining the various specimens therein 
contained. 
The most important event which has ever occurred in the history of the Society has been 
the passing of the Pharmacy Act of 1868. Ever since its foundation in 1841, there has 
been felt the greatest desire to improve the educational position of the pharmaceutist in 
Great Britain. The energy of many whose names will ever be fondly remembered, but 
who have long since passed away from their labours, gave a standing to the Association, 
which, under the fostering care and untiring zeal of the London Council, has resulted 
in giving the Pharmaceutical Society the power of examination under the compulsory 
Act of last session. All, therefore, who for the future may desire to become chemists 
and druggists, or dispensing chemists in the true sense of the word, must submit to the 
ordeal of examination, and thus be certified as capable of undertaking the responsibility 
attached to their position. It is true that, for a time, there was some difficulty in regard 
to medical men who, while not connected with the Society, still held diplomas in phar¬ 
macy and surgery, but these differences are now at an end, by the introduction by Go- 
