AN AGE OF PROGRESS. 
826 
Most of its conclusions are arrived at by conversational means a serious 
t a llc_desultory for Journal purposes, and useless for publication, but thoroughly 
effectual as regards result. Sometimes, it is true, a storm passes over its other¬ 
wise tranquil waters ; then conversation flags, and speech sets in, but this is oi 
so rare occurrence that the anomaly does not characteiize the Board. 
May we hazard an explanation respecting something apparently not known f 
Three quarters of Council work is arranged beforehand either in Committee or 
in private. The Council is to a large extent the reflection and confirmation of 
its Committees, and any Member airing his opinions at the Board, without pre¬ 
paration or previous thought, guided only by the instinct of the moment soon 
discovers his^ mistake. Look at the Statement of Attendance of Members of 
Council on Committees for the Year 1869-70, and try to understand its meaning. 
An excellent Pharmacist who will welcome the British Pharmaceutical Confer¬ 
ence this Autumn, has assisted at one Committee. Another whose happiness 
it is to live within view of France, has never attended on one solitary occasion. 
A gentleman whom we all hold in honour, in spite of his dredging for Forami- 
niferse, has appeared exactly twice. Then come representatives from Clapham 
Birmingham, Southampton, Brighton, and Bristol, nil. Are they to blame ? 
These are amongst the utterly best men of our Society, but they aie geogra¬ 
phically unable to be present. For which reason, except on rare occasions they 
are not even asked to serve. Being mortal they are bound by the iron facts 
contained in Bradshaw’s Guide. . , , , , 
On the other hand, we have a gentleman at Belgravia who has attended not 
less than 46 times ; another, whose activity is only . equalled by his executive 
skill, 21 times, and his services are, by a wise regulation, transferred to Exami¬ 
nation Duties. Take the list of other London members, and you have 2b, 47, 
25, 15, 17, and 44 appearances. . 
But the Provinces, who are omniscient mean to put all things ngfct—tney 
foro-et that an easy walking distance or omnibus ride to and from Bloomsbury 
Square is essential to the management of the ordinary business of the Society. 
So we get these returns of votes lately published. One, whose diligence has 
been matter of remark and who not only has attended but worked at 44 Com¬ 
mittees is rejected—but there is this consolation, that the Provinces influenced 
perhaps by circulars, have passed by the representative of one of the first 
establishments in London, in favour of others, capable no doubt, but unable, 
owino- to the exigencies of transit, to aid routine work. We deliberately state 
that the election of such a large proportion of country members is a mistake. 
The Country cannot transact home London business. 
May we venture on a further expression of regret when we notice the absence 
of many names long held in reverence? These are not simply old men but 
Founders of the Society, a fact some of our more ardent spirits totally ignore. 
It seems hard that no sooner does the silver mingle with a man’s hair than 
he is termed an obstructive. Under certain circumstances we should imagine 
that to obstruct would be a work of Christian charity. Old age has too little 
initiative endeavour—Youth lacks experience. The truth is that neither can do 
without the other. It is our plain du.ty to recognise and praise most cordially 
the labours of the past, nor do we object to become the Laudator temporis 
acti. We have new blood which it appears was desired; time will determine 
its character. We hope, and our earnest wish is, that the New Council may be 
as industrious and successful in promoting Pharmacy as their predecessors. Cur 
impression is that the direction of affairs will be too much left in the hands oi 
a few metropolitan members. 
