June 10, 1871.] 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
1003 
sums, simply because they cannot afford to do more, but who 
•are not a whit less generous or well-disposed towards it than 
some who give a little more, and accompany it with so much 
ostentation. Pew of us can afford to help others much, what¬ 
ever may be our desires, and therefore let the more prosperous 
ask their less fortunate brethren for subscriptions with some 
consideration for their feelings, or they will annoy and disgust 
many more than they will win to subscribe. 
After thus freely expressing my opinion, I will venture to 
suggest for consideration one small way of increasing the 
Pund; which is, that instead of free admission to the annual 
conversazione, a small charge should be made for the tickets 
*—not less than a shilling, and not more than half-a-crown— 
the money so obtained to be given unreduced to the said 
fund. 
I believe everybody would pay it, not only without grum¬ 
bling, but with pleasure, knowing the purpose to which it 
would be applied. 
Whether I may be able to attend or not, I will pledge my¬ 
self always to pay for one if not for two. 
If this suggestion is objectionable, possibly it may prompt 
others to think of some way more acceptable. 
I will just add that, notwithstanding the twitting manner 
in which the words “ our active Registrar” are quoted, after 
some little personal experience of him, I do not think the 
adjective misapplied, but think it would be well if we all were 
as “active” in our own business, and as little “active” in that 
of other people as “our active Registrar.” Salt. 
Sir,—I am surprised to see a process of intimidation sug¬ 
gested as a means of getting subscribers. This will never do, 
it must be left to every man’s conscience what he can or will 
give in any work of charity. And as far as my experience 
goes, I do not believe there are many who can be frightened 
into liberality. 
On the other hand, the Pund certainly has a claim upon 
every chemist and druggist throughout the land. Let circu¬ 
lars be sent to the local secretaries throughout the country, 
for distribution. In these circulars let the attention of the 
trade be solicited to the benefits and requirements of this In¬ 
stitution. Let those who are not members of the Pharma¬ 
ceutical Society be requested to become so. I do not think 
the entrance fee unjust or unreasonable (certainly I paid it 
myself without any scruple). The annual subscription is 
moderate enough for the advantages conferred in return; 
especially if exemption from jury service be added, which in 
all reason and equity ought to be the case. 
Some who would not become members, might be induced 
to be subscribers to the Benevolent. 
I am firmly convinced that a great deal might be done in 
this w T ay, from personal experience during the time I was 
connected with the United Society. 
And another part of my experience is this, that there are 
few occupations in life where there is a greater likelihood of 
pecuniary assistance being required by deserving members 
than in that of a chemist and druggist. 
One wjio has Known the Drug Trade 
MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS. 
Pharmaceutical Examinations. 
Sir,—In answer to your correspondent of the 20th inst., 
though I cannot point out the advantages I will endeavour to 
give him a few of the disadvantages of those who have passed 
the Major Examination, and also been some few months in 
the Laboratory studying practical chemistry. 
If my memory does not fail me, some few years since, at a 
special General Meeting of the Society, it was stated that 
the Council had no intention of again opening the door of 
admission except by examination. Now, Sir, I and many 
others took the Council at their word, and after going 
through the due course of training at Bloomsbury Square, 
passed the examinations; and how has the Society rewarded 
us for our simple faith ? Our best means of explanation will 
be to take two fellow-apprentices just free from their bonds, 
both with £500: the one goes forth as an assistant, and by 
that means adds a little to his store, whereas the other thirst¬ 
ing after a knowledge of the articles that daily pass through 
his hands, wends his way towards Bloomsbury Square, where 
we find him, day after day, ruminating over Fownes, Bentley, 
Royle, Bowman, etc., and, after months of careful training, 
passes the Major, and receives a certificate. 
We again find our two friends brought face to face, when 
they wish to commence business; granting them to be both of 
equal business tact and perseverance, the one who turned his 
back on the Society is able to buy a very much better busi¬ 
ness than the Major Associate, but of this he did not com 
plain, and only asked to be left with his knowledge and title 
to fight the battle for himself; but here steps across his path 
the foster-mother to whom he had been taught to look up, 
and who he had fondly hoped would prove the lever that would 
raise him some little above his non-examined neighbour. 
She not only folds her arms round his opponent, but gives 
him a title quite equal to his own, and from which the public 
cannot distinguish the difference. What we, who have been 
led to part with our money, ask, or rather demand is, that all 
who have passed the Major shall have some title which will 
distinguish them from those who have passed into the Society 
through another gate, and I would suggest Fellows of the 
Pharmaceutical College—F.P.C. 
Perhaps some may think this picture overdrawn, but I can 
only tell them I am waiting from practical experience. 
May 31s£, 1871. F. P. C. 
Sir,—I cannot agree with your correspondent “ Forward” 
that he, having passed the Modified Examination, should be 
allowed to skip the Preliminary. 
I suppose I may infer, that the Modified men are alarmed 
at the number of examinations they have to undergo. I 
would suggest, the Council might make the path easier for 
them in this way, viz. when they have passed the Preliminary, 
to allow them to go on for the Major. 
I do not think that any one should or coidd attain the title 
of pharmacist without having knowledge of the kind neces¬ 
sary to pass the Preliminary, so that it would be no hardship, 
but the reverse to require him to undergo the test previously. 
If the Council were to make the Modified an equivalent to 
the Minor, when the Preliminary is passed, it would remove 
any cause for grumbling. 
There would be no injustice done to those who have passed 
the Minor, as the Modified men are placed on the same foot¬ 
ing with them in other respects already, for which I think 
the latter gentlemen have cause to be thankful. 
Birkenhead, Jane oth, 1871. J. H. K. 
Druggists’ Prices. 
Sir,—A week or ten days ago I was offered Is. 3d. for a 
gxij effervescing mixture and xij carb. soda powder and bot¬ 
tle, but declined; it was an old prescription, but no chemist’s 
name appeared on it. I was informed that it had been dis¬ 
pensed scores of times for Is. in the North. 
Peterborough. Stephen Willson. 
Sir,—I know of a retail doctor at the east of London who 
doles out a child’s powder for the low charge of Id. where 
chemists charge 1 \d. each, and whose equipage would not 
disgrace a West-End M.D., with a pair of handsome grey 
horses and three fine spotted carriage dogs to follow in the 
rear; and this very same doctor, moreover, is principal 
agent—“the London depot”—of the wonderful “Elixir of 
strength”—“it gives strength to the weak and makes the 
aged forget their infirmities, and restores manhood to the 
most shattered constitution”—“nervousness more speedily 
cured by the elixir than by any agency yet discovered.”— 
“ N.B. This renowned medicine will keep in all climates; no 
vessel should proceed to sea without having a supply on 
board”—“The glory of man is strength”—“Agents: all 
registered chemists throughout the civilized world ”—“Copy¬ 
right entr. Sta. Hall, April 21, 1865. Trade mark, or words 
elixir of strength.” What medical man of sensibility and 
education would not say Bosh to this glaring trash ? This 
is a specimen of the degrading trade done by a doctor even 
in London, as well as Glasgow. 
I have troubled you with rather a long “ditty,” with hope 
against hope that it may put shame in the conscience of the 
accused and teach them to desist from so encroaching and 
low a scale of trading; which will fully reward your obedient 
servant with others of his brethren. Bo-peep. 
May 30tli, 1871. 
