29G 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
[October 7, 1871 
visible. Sudden recollection coming then upon them, 
the most ordinary household medicine became an 
immediate necessity. Now this is not as it ought to 
be ; and no one will be more satisfied than I will be, 
to know, that throughout the length and breadth of 
the land, dispensing chemists follow the good example 
of many of their brethren, and shut at such an hour 
in the evening, as will allow the young man to retire 
to his room for study, or to take some recreation, or 
what is better still, a portion of both. 
A word or two as to your position here as students 
of this school. Many young men in the provinces 
have a feeling of disappointment and jealousy as to 
the great advantages which those who reside in 
London or neighbourhood find in Bloomsbury 
Square. I admit at once there is at first sight some 
foundation for such a feeling, for comparatively few 
can come from a distance to study in London. But 
I cannot help thinking that ere long this Society will 
cease to be an educating body. No one need start 
or look amazed under the impression that I am about 
to consign your able and eloquent professors and 
teachers to oblivion. My intention is very far from 
that, for I say all honour to those distinguished 
and tried men who have done so much for the exist¬ 
ing race of pharmaceutists, and whose successful 
labours may yet, I hope, extend through many suc¬ 
ceeding years. But be it remembered, we are now 
recognized by Government as an examining body, 
and it is certainly not unreasonable we should cease 
to be an educating one also. I fancy therefore that 
ere long the Society will neither appoint nor pay pro¬ 
fessors. Already it is understood that a youn" man 
may obtain the knowledge required to enable him to 
become associate or member in any way he pleases ; 
and so, in like manner, I look forward to the time, 
.not far distant, when in London or in the provinces, 
young men will attend lectures, as well as practical 
chemistrv, without being taken under the wing of 
the Societ}^; and thus that the existing course of 
study in the Square will be succeeded by lectures 
and lecturers more in accordance with an established 
college of pharmacy. I admit at once that a centre 
must exist somewhere, and for many reasons there 
is no place so well fitted for this as the metropolis. 
Never forget, however, that by study and application 
pharmacy and its kindred subjects are capable of 
being learned and comprehended in the country 
village as well as in the crowded town; and if not 
quite so easily and readily acquired, as when guided 
by eminent teachers, the merit of accomplishing the 
arduous task is all the greater, when in the absence 
of such opportunities a position can be gained in 
London or elsewhere. 
It is neither the time nor the place to refer to the 
troubled waters of pharmaceutical legislation, nor 
will I make any remark as to the surging waves of 
fear and anxiety which have of late passed over the 
horizon of poison regulations and responsibilities; 
but I may remark, that in any approach we may 
make to Government, the keynote of our advanced 
position and recognition is so loudly sounded, that 
the eye of the general public turns more observantly 
than ever on our movements, and it therefore be¬ 
comes us all to proceed with the greatest circum¬ 
spection in all that pertains to the carrying out of 
existing Acts of Parliament; and while there are 
many good men and true standing in the breach, 
succeeding generations look to those who, like many 
now before me, will gradually but surely follow in 
the footsteps of those to whom they at present look 
up as their seniors. Again, then, let me urge upon 
you application and study. Never be discouraged 
with any difficulty. Ever remember there is much 
in these two short simple words, “ Try again!” for I 
know no feeling more pleasing to a young man, than 
that of a sense of victory after more than one hard 
struggle to overcome what had appeared not only 
difficult, but almost insurmomitable. 
In conclusion, let me remind you that in connec¬ 
tion with the varied course of study upon which you 
are about to enter, the science of chemistry very 
specially presents a wide and extensive field, from 
which to cull many interesting facts. I feel that I 
have lived long enough to know that the compara¬ 
tively finished chemist of to-day may become the 
humble and eager student of to-morrow, for amidst 
the more than giant strides with which chemical 
science has been, and is still advancing, it takes a. 
great amount of labour, study and research to fol¬ 
low in the path of chemical investigation. What,, 
may I ask, can be said of that science which, while 
it includes more or less the whole range of sublu¬ 
nary tilings, starts through the immensity of space, 
bringing you into acquaintance with the very mate¬ 
rials of which the planetary system itself consists ? 
Nay, invades the light of the sun, and tells that in 
the rays of the luminous orb of day there are found 
materials and compounds not only in great variety, 
but rivalling in value the diamond itself, thus giving 
unmistakable proof, that far away in the twinkling- 
star, or soft silvery moon, and in the bright blazing 
sun, we have chemical elements in varied combina¬ 
tions, playing important parts, and giving rise to a 
wonderful and harmonious whole ! Need I refer .to 
spectrum analysis, electricity, dialysis, and kindred 
discoveries, as assisting to open the mysterious and 
hitherto unopened marvels and wonders of creation? 
While, however, surprise and amazement may be- 
excited, let us never forget, that amidst the endless 
and never-wearying changes going on, the most 
minute, as well as the most stupendous work in the 
heavens above, or on the earth beneath, whether in¬ 
deed it be the falling of the sparrow to the ground,— 
clothing the flower in all its gorgeous beauty,—rais¬ 
ing the gigantic tree of the forest,—governing the 
stormy wind or wild ocean wave,—supplying the 
germ of vitality to the most tiny form of animal or 
vegetable life,—supporting the daily, if not the mo¬ 
mentary wants of all existing things, is yet the ever 
kind, loving and beneficent Creator, who “ has mea¬ 
sured the waters in the hollow of his hand, meted 
out the heavens with the span, comprehended the- 
dust of the earth in a measure, weighed the moun¬ 
tains in scales, and the hills in a balance, and who- 
taketh up the isles as a very little thing.” 
The President was quite certain they would be- 
very much dissatisfied if he closed that meeting with¬ 
out expressing their thanks and his own to Mr.. 
Mackay for his very excellent address. Although 
at its commencement Mr. Mackay was willing tO' 
make them believe that he should fall somewhat 
short, he fairly proved in the end that 
“ Whether doing, suffering, or forbearing, 
We may do much by persevering.” 
The Chairman announced that the next evening, 
meeting would be held on Wednesday, November 1st.. 
