OB ITU A11Y. 
497 
that their pleasure contributed to the good of their less fortunate brethren. For while 
the Ball was not held for the special purpose of swelling the funds of any charitable 
institution, yet surplus-money was devoted to the widow and orphan. Last year 
twenty guineas had been presented to the Benevolent Fund of the Pharmaceutical 
Society, and this year they hoped to be able to offer a similar donation. But above all 
reasons for meeting together in their usual free and happy way there was this, that by 
so doing they showed each other what Charles Dickens and Dr. Temple had called “ en¬ 
couraging sympathy,” that interest in one another which produced gladness of heart. 
“Success to the Chemists’ Annual Ball ” was then proposed and responded to with 
vociferous applause. Cheers were also given for “ The Ladies.” The arrangements 
for the Ball were conducted by fourteen “ Members of Committee,” the largest share of 
the work evidently falling on the zealous Secretary, Mr. T. D. Watson. 
©lutuarg. 
RICHARD BOBBETT GILES. 
“ But chiefly, the Mould of a man’s Fortune is in his own hands .”—Lord Bacon. 
We have lost during the past month one of the Founders of the Society. Such names 
are held in reverence by all who have the interests of pharmacy at heart. These men 
have borne the burden and heat of the day ; they have helped to make the position we 
of the younger generation now enjoy ; they have sown the field we reap. On January 
5, at his residence, 1, Meridian Place, Clifton, Mr. K. B. Giles died in his 78th year. 
He was born at Tewkesbury on June 14, 1792. His father was governor of Gloucester 
Gaol, and died at a comparatively early age. He was partly educated at Berkeley, 
where there was an unusually good master, and partly in Yorkshire, where daring 
pranks were held in higher esteem than the pursuit of knowledge. 
He was fond of recalling these wild escapades, even while deploring the time for 
mental improvement so neglected. In 1805 he was apprenticed in Clifton to John 
Speed Waldron, then carrying on an important business amongst the fashionable visitors 
to the Hotwells, and here he underwent the drudgery and hard work, as well as th® 
more responsible duties of pharmacy. Subsequently he took a situation in London at 
the house of Messrs. Jones, in Gracechurch Street. This appears to have been an ex¬ 
cellent school, with a very wide connection. The firm were surgeons in large practice, 
employing numerous assistants, with an open shop in which much business was trans¬ 
acted, and a laboratory in which most pharmaceutical preparations were made, including 
some articles (notably soap cerate plaster) supplied for the army. Here he stayed for some 
years,—indeed, until after the senior of the firm died, and his son disposed of the concern. 
One incident in Mr. Giles’ history recalls the anecdote of Lafitte. He applied for the 
post of junior clerk, but not being accepted, crossed the courtyard which subsequently 
became his own, mourning his fate. But the future celebrated banker picked up a pin, 
—was instantly sent for by an observant partner, and most fully justified in after life 
the repeal of the former verdict. 
Mr. Giles often repeated an anecdote relating to his obtaining this place which is cha¬ 
racteristic of the man, and may not be without its moral in the present day. Upon 
applying for the post he was referred to the senior partner, and after the usual inquiries, 
had to write a label, for which purpose a sheet of paper was supplied. It however 
happened that a waste scrap lay beside him, and taking it up, he said “ Here is enough 
paper, Sir, if I may use this.” The label was written and approved, and the writer was 
immediately engaged. 
He next held a situation in the old-established and now celebrated house of Lea and 
Perrins, of Worcester, where he saw another variety of trade amongst county families, 
and the supply of a wholesale connection. In 1821 he returned to Clifton, and opened 
the business w r ith which his name has ever since been connected. Clifton was then a 
very small place, and his debut was proportionate to its insignificance. Mr. Giles sub¬ 
rented the ground floor of a house in the Crescent, which comprised his shop, and a room 
behind which served as bedroom, kitchen, parlour, and warehouse. Here, with the sole 
assistance of his errand boy, his frugal meals were cooked and eaten; but in this and 
every period of his life, he enjoyed that ‘ contented mind ’ which is a ‘ continual feast.’ 
