INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
273 
the purely physical sciences, and more especially to the hardening material¬ 
istic influence of commercial cares. I may, without impropriety, insist on 
the truth of what was then urged. My own business cares have been as 
varied and unceasing as those which fall to the lot of most men. Few have 
had less time or opportunity for the prosecution of such studies, or for ob¬ 
serving nature away from the haunts of men, and possibly it is for this very 
reason, that the bye-hours which I have been able to devote to them have 
been amongst the most precious of my life, and have afforded that mental 
relief which is essential to a-healthy r condition of the intellectual faculties. 
It is needless for me to dwell at length on a proposition that seems so self- 
evident, and I should scarcely have thought it necessary to introduce the 
subject at all, but for the fact that such occupations are neglected on the 
imaginary ground of want of time. A country stroll of half an hour will 
yield material for thought and investigation available for many a day. 
“ For love of nature dwells not in the heart 
"Which seeks for things beyond our daily ken, 
To bid it glow. It is in common life 
And objects most familiar, we find 
Exhaustless matter for our privilege— 
Our glorious privilege, of reading &od 
Amid His bright creation.” 
In these pursuits, rather than amongst the distracting influences termed 
amusement, you will find your healthiest recreation. And in the hours of 
weariness that fall to the lot of every man, you will find in them solace and 
comfort that will amply repay, if that were necessary, any labour you may 
bestow in making yourself familiar with things of nature. 
I seem to have occupied your time in the repetition of mere truisms, and to 
have told you only r what has been better said times without number; and 
after all, what is there that any of us can add to that broad scheme of 
moral discipline, which was propounded eighteen hundred years ago ? Strive 
to live up to that standard, and insofar as you succeed you will attain to 
truest wisdom. 
For my own shortcomings I would apologise in the words of the worthy 
puritan Francis Quarles ; and strive to justify the insufficiency of my homily 
by its good intentions. I devoutly trust that, “If it adde nothing to your 
well-instructed knowledge, it may bring something to your well-disposed re¬ 
membrance ; if either I have my ends, and you my endeavour; the service 
which I owe and the affection which I bear you challenges the utmost of 
my ability ; w herein if I could light you but the least step towards the 
happinesse you ayme at, how happy should I be P Go forward in the way 
which you have chosen ; wherein, if my hand cannot lead you, my heart shall 
follow you; and where the weaknesse of my power shows defect, there the 
vigour of my will, shall make supply.” 
Dr. Geeenhow said he rose, by request of the President, to propose the 
cordial thanks of the meeting to Mr. Deane for the admirable address they had 
just heard. He was sure that the younger members of the audience could not 
possibly have received better advice, and they need only follow it out during 
their course of study in order to ensure their passing the examinations success¬ 
fully, and rendering themselves well fitted to discharge their future duties in 
life. He felt that, unprepared as he was for the President’s calling upon him, 
he had in fact very little further to say od the occasion. At the same time, he 
could not refuse to speak a few words when called upon, as it so happened that 
he held a certain position with reference to the Pharmaceutical Society, having 
been appointed, under the Act of 1868, Government assessor to their exami¬ 
nations, with the view of ascertaining that those examinations were such as 
