220 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. [September 14,1872. 
ability displayed in his serious communications was rare, 
and in the power of hinting compliment, he has scarcely 
been surpassed. One of his cleverest public efforts was 
the introduction at the meeting of the British Associa¬ 
tion in 1869 to a jeu d’esprit called “ Exeter Change”— 
the appearance of which stimulated not a little the 
curiosity as well as the admiration of the leading scien¬ 
tific men to some of whom it proved his first introduction. 
That brochure contained besides the “ Ode after Tenny¬ 
son” which was unique—nothing was in sprightlier taste 
than his verse and pencil sketches which tempted the 
Bellows of the Chemical from their severer studies—nor 
must it be forgotten that the one title of honour of which 
Mr. Brough was justly proud was that of F.C.S. 
Quitting the editorial chair and general literature in 
1870, he became Librarian of the London Institution, a 
post for which by nature, training and all his antecedents 
he was specially qualified. Some may not be aware of 
the continuance of that noble library, nor pleasurably 
acquainted with the courtesy of its officers; nor yet 
know by experience the large resources it has to offer in 
the way of reference. Here Jack, (he was never recog¬ 
nized by any other name) was in full glory. Surrounded 
by books which found themselves in an unusual position 
close to the Bank, and beaming placidly upon his 
visitors. The old personal fascination followed him to 
his City home. He wore it like a charm. Soon he 
gathered round him distinguished helpers — conver¬ 
saziones and excellent sets of lectures were commenced 
and the spacious rooms were filled with listeners and 
readers. A mysterious Providence summoned him from the 
very midst of his labours. The decree makes us wonder, 
but we are silent—his work was done faithfully and to 
the uttermost—with scarcely a vestige of what is termed 
health he literally took up his bed and walked—and as 
we stood round his grave at Norwood, thinking of his 
orphan children, there was this strong consolation, that 
we knew assuredly that his name was written in the 
Lamb’s own book ; and we rejoiced that his bright ex¬ 
ample had led others to share that perfect peace which 
was his blessedness in the life that now is, waiting only 
for its full accomplishment in that which is to come. 
J. I. 
Cffrospmttote. 
*** No notice can be taken of anonymous communicfl- 
tions. Whatever is intended for insertion must be authenti¬ 
cated by the name and address of the writer ; not necessarily 
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. 
Pharmaceutical Examinations. 
Sir,-—It is much to be regretted that more time was not 
available for discussing the subject of Pharmaceutical Educa¬ 
tion at the recent meeting of the Conference at Brighton, for 
though it is sufficiently notorious that many incompetent 
men do manage to pass the Minor examination, yet, until 
the reading of Dr. Attfield’s paper, few persons would have 
imagined that the vigilance of our examiners was so con¬ 
stantly and systematically evaded. 
Men advertise “ that an ignoramus may be converted into 
a chemist and druggist in a month,” or, as I would rather 
saj’-, into a resemblance sufficiently specious to deceive the 
examiners, and the Professor says, “what is very terrible, 
these crammers keep their word in most cases;” if this be 
true—if it be only partially true—the evil is of the greatest 
magnitude, and it is impossible to resist the conviction that 
we must make an alteration in our present system of exami¬ 
nation. 
The great evil of the present mode is, that some of the 
examiners have been on the Board for many years, their style 
of examination is well known, and, unless I am misinformed, 
the very questions they are likely to ask are, in many cases, 
anticipated and prepared for; Dr. Attfield in his paper cor¬ 
roborates this, for he says, “ The successful legitimate candi¬ 
date knows his subjects, the successful illegitimate candidate 
knows the questions that toill be put to him.” j 
The remedy is not difficult nor far to seek ; make the exa¬ 
mination longer in the practical portion, and have a frequent 
and total change of examiners, —or, better still, have two or 
three examiners in each subject, and decide by ballot a few 
days previous to examination who shall take the various sub¬ 
jects, thus would cramming be almost entirely done away 
with, but, as a still further precaution, each candidate should 
be compelled to produce a certificate of having served an ap¬ 
prenticeship of at least three years’ duration. 
A compulsory attendance upon any particular course of 
lectures, though strongly recommended by some, is, I think, 
objectionable, nor is it necessary, for some of the best phar¬ 
macists I have ever known have acquired their knowledge 
(while working for their support) by diligent study during 
the hours not engaged in active business; no obstacle should 
be placed in the way of such as these, we ought rather lau- 
dare pleno ore. 
Frederick Andrews. 
23, Leinster Terrace, London, 
August 20th, 1872. 
Sir,—In the majority of letters from your correspondents- 
on the subject of study, there seems to be ignored the one- 
thing needful—Time. In a recent issue of the Journal, your 
correspondent Mr. Ekin alludes to both the Major and. 
Minor examinations as being easy, and I am far from re¬ 
futing his opinion ; for with plenty of time, and opportunities 
for study, I think any average-witted fellow could pass both 
at the age of 21. Recently a gentleman gave us an account 
of the way in which he prepared for the Minor, and how he 
passed. But he said nothing about the length of time he- 
was able to devote to study during the day. Perhaps he had 
a good deal, for he was in a village, where, I am afraid, he- 
would not be dispensing the whole of the day. Of course, I am 
speaking of those departments of study that we cannot pick up 
behind the counter. We may obtain a fair knowledge of dispen- 
ing and materia medica during “shop-hours;” but as for 
chemistry, botany, and so forth, they must be acquired at other 
times, if the shop be opened at 7 a.m. and close at 8 or 9 P.M., 
leaving at the very most eleven hours out of the twenty-four 
of which eight- must be devoted to rest, and certainly part 
of the remaining three hours to health and recreation. I do- 
not complain of the difficulty of the examination; all I ask 
is more time. 
Syrupus. 
August 6th, 1872. 
Mrs. Stockman and Family. —The following sums have- 
been thankfully received in aid of the above family :—Mr. F- 
McCulloch, per Mr. J. Wavell, Local Secretary, Ryde,. 
£1. 1$.; Mr. W. Matthews (Rouse and Co.), £1. Is.; A 
Friend, 6s.; Chemist Assistant, Is.; Emily Lloyd, 5s., ; Mr. 
R. O. Rippon, £1,; Mr. W. R. Harvey, 2s. 6d., Mr. and Mrs- 
B. Humpage, 10s, 6c?.; Mi*. Noad, 2s. 6d.; Mr. M. Mitchell, 
10s.; W. J. T., 10s. Collected by Mr. J. C. Pooley, Local 
Secretary, Bath: Mr. Barnett, 10s.; Mr. Ekin, 10s.; Mr. 
Tyler, 10s.; Messrs. Commans and Wilson, 10s.; Mr. J. C. 
Pooley, 10s.—in all, 50s. Further contributions are much 
needed, and will be received with many thanks by G. Perfect, 
Havelock Pork, Southsea, and Charles Mumby, Pharmaceu¬ 
tical Chemist, Gosport, Trustees. 
“ Justice.” —We do not think the subject worth pursuing, 
any further. The titles referred to had then* origin in a 
compromise, the effects of which are becoming less every 
year. 
A. Barron. —Apply at the office of the Registrar of the- 
University of London, Burlington Gardens. 
“ Inquirer.” —Dr. Cobbold’s Cantor Lectures on “Our 
Food-Producing Ruminants and the Parasites that Reside 
in Them,” was published in the ‘Journal of the Society of 
Arts’ for July 7, 1871, and following numbers. 
“ Ignorance ,” “An Old Chymist,” and J. C. are referred, 
to the rule as to anonymous communications. 
Communications, Letters, etc., have been received from 
Mr. G. Cathcart, Mr. Jenkinson, Mr. A. Barron, Professor 
Redwood, Mr. Macdowell, “ Inquirer,” “ A Major in Busi¬ 
ness,” “ Spofforth,” “ Medical Dispenser,” “ Local Secretary 
iu an Eastern County.” 
