410 
THE CONSTITUTION OF MATTER. 
to meet any of the requirements that might come before a practical chemist. His friend 
Mr. Nicholson had had to spend a great deal of time and trouble in gaining his present 
position, and why was that? because he had come in at a later day than he (the Mayor). 
His Worship then alluded to the present practice of surgeons in making up their medi¬ 
cine, and he hoped the day was not far distant when the practice of medicine and dis¬ 
pensing would become two distinct branches of business, when the physician would 
only have to visit the patient, and the chemist to make up the medicine. The Mayor, 
after describing the mode of procedure when he went to business, said that phy¬ 
sicians ought not to be in that position. He was quite willing to pay his full share of 
the expenses of fitting up a laboratory, and would like to see this become a model As¬ 
sociation of the practical chemists of the country. The Association had his best wishes, 
and he was quite willing to help it all he could. 
The Vice-Chairman responded, and agreed with all the Mayor had said. 
Mr. Nicholson also replied, and said it w T as twelve months since the Association 
commenced, and it had answered its purpose. Considering the apathy exhibited by 
many of the principal members of the profession, they had met with a very fair measure 
of success. They numbered about forty members, and had provided every facility for 
the young men acquiring the needful information, which he hoped the assistants would 
take advantage of. He complained of the apathy of the older members of the pro¬ 
fession, with the exception of one or two, but hoped that they would soon become 
members. 
The Vice-Chairman proposed the health of the Mayor. Their President had always 
exhibited a kind and generous spirit, a noble, persevering disposition, rare business 
qualifications, and high intellectual abilities. 
The toast was drunk with cheers. 
The Mayor, who was enthusiastically received on rising to respond, thanked them 
most cordially for the manner in which they had drunk his health. He was desirous 
of making himself useful amongst them. He was sorry that many of their friends were 
not members of their Association, but he hoped the day was not far distant when they 
would come within their pale. 
Mr. Sanderson proposed “ The Council,” coupled with the names of Messrs. Sharp 
and Bird. 
Mr. Bird responded, and said the Council had had many difficulties to contend with, and 
sometimes they were doubtful whether they would be able to carry the Society on. 
Mr. Sharp also replied, and said they were determined to persevere, and he looked 
hopefully to the future. 
Mr. Nasbet said he had much pleasure in proposing the health of their able and 
obliging Secretary, Mr. Nicholson. 
Mr. Nicholson responded. 
Several other toasts concluded a very pleasant evening. 
ORIGINAL AND EXTRACTED ARTICLES. 
THE CONSTITUTION OE MATTER. 
BY WILLIAM A. TILDEN, B.SC. LOND., F.C.S., 
DEMONSTRATOR OF PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY TO THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY. 
Since the human race first came into existence, men have been more or less 
occupied with the study of natural philosophy; pursuing it either in the cha¬ 
racter of professed philosophers, or more usually in the manner of simple wonder¬ 
ing observers, like the shepherds of ancient story. Whilst contemplating natural 
phenomena,—the progress of the seasons, the propagation and growth of herbs 
and animals, or the properties of earths and metals,—the inclination, apparently 
instinctive, has ever been to look for something behind the mask of nature ; to 
endeavour, in other words, to find reasons for the existence of things as they 
