[May 25, 1872. 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
955 
respective competitors. He was better able to judge, as 
a twelvemonth ago he conducted the botany class. But 
while pleased with the theoretical knowledge shown, he 
noticed deficiency in describing the living plants he had 
placed before them. He thought that the neglect of the 
practical examination of plants was much to be regretted. 
Mr. Butler then returned thanks, and also noticed the 
want of practical knowledge in pharmacy. 
In proposing a vote of thanks to the Chairman, Mr. 
Cubitt washed to remind those present that it was scarcely 
to be expected that this association could undertake to 
impart really practical knowledge in chemistry and phar¬ 
macy. Both these subjects required a course of work in 
a laboratory, and he thought they ought to bo satisfied 
with the evident proficiency shown by the candidates in 
the theoretical part. There was one subject certainly 
which the association seemed well prepared to teach 
practically, and that was Materia Medica ; for, in looking 
round the rooms, he saw they were getting together a 
most excellent collection of specimens. 
Mr. Butler seconded the vote. 
After the Chairman had returned thanks, the meeting 
closed. 
NORTHAMPTON CHEMISTS’ ASSISTANTS 
AND APPRENTICES’ ASSOCIATION. 
The Half-yearly Meeting was held on May 8th. The 
chairman, J. Barry, Esq., J.P., opened the meeting by 
expressing his pleasure at being able to be present with 
them that evening, and said how gratified he was at the 
progress they had made. He pointed out the greater 
qualifications that were needed at the present time in 
a pharmacist, and how each should try to make him¬ 
self master of the different subjects which the Pharma¬ 
ceutical Society had to examine him in, especially as 
the tendency was to raise the standard of the examina¬ 
tions. He would suggest that French should not be 
lost sight of in their curriculum, as it would prove 
eminently useful to them in many ways. He then 
called upon the President to give his address. 
President’s Address. 
I think, gentlemen, it will be as well for me to com¬ 
mence by taking a cursory glance at the proceedings 
that have taken place in connection with our Associa¬ 
tion since its formation, especially as it is our desire 
that our employers should be acquainted with all that 
has occurred, as it is through their kind and liberal aid 
that we have been able to make the satisfactory pro¬ 
gress that we have. 
The want of an association was very much felt by the 
assistants, more particularly by those coming to North¬ 
ampton from towns where such an association existed, 
and by those who "were anxious to pass their examina¬ 
tions. 
Not a year ago the assistants of this town were 
scarcely upon speaking terms, and now I am happy to say 
there exists, with but one or two exceptions, an amount 
of friendly feeling that would render any service that 
one could afford another a matter of the greatest plea¬ 
sure to perform. I mention this, gentlemen, to show 
that undoubtedly our Association has not been without 
good results apart from its chief object, i.e. educational 
purposes. After it was decided by the preliminary 
committee that an Association should, if possible, be 
formed, a meeting was convened, and our friend Mr. 
Law was asked to attend. He very kindly acceded 
to the wish, and the remarks that he made and the 
good advice he gave had a most beneficial effect; and I 
am sure it will be a long time before his sayings will be 
forgotten by those who were fortunate enough to hear 
him. The truth of one remark has often returned to my 
mind, that was, “When a person starts forward to do 
any good thing he will sure to find plenty to pull him 
back.” Although we have felt the truth of that in a 
few instances, it is gratifying to know wo have found 
those who were willing to aid us far outnumber those 
who would have thrown obstacles in our way, and so 
damped our ardour. 
Our first difficulty w r as to obtain a suitable room, 
which was soon overcome by the kind offer of Mr. 
J eyes in giving us this one free of expense; the next 
difficulty of furnishing it with table, chairs, etc., 
was quickly surmounted by the ready response made to 
the call upon our employers, and our last urgent 
want of apparatus and books has been supplied by the 
£10 grant from the Pharmaceutical Society, which I 
think we were most fortunate in obtaining, when we- 
consider our Association has not been in existence more 
than six months, and other associations that have 
been in existence a much longer period have not been 
so favoured. 
The source of instruction has hitherto been amongst 
ourselves, as we deemed it advisable to pass through the 
elementary portion of chemistry and botany before we 
solicited aid from other sources; but I hope that before 
long the Pharmaceutical Society will grant sufficient 
to deserving provincial associations to enable them to 
obtain the services of a qualified teacher (and I think 
that the best way they can decide upon to give help); 
by that means a good sound lecture could be heard 
once a week during the winter months at least. It 
cannot be expected that any gentleman who ha3 the 
ability and is in business can afford the time to give a 
series of lectures, and very little information is ob¬ 
tained upon either chemistry or botany unless a whole 
course is gone through. However, if the Pharmaceu¬ 
tical Society will not supply us with funds to pay a 
tea6her, I am happy to say there are two or three gentle¬ 
men who have promised us all the aid in their power, so 
between them I hope we shall be able to have a course 
of lectures uj3on one subject, at least that is when we find 
we must have higher instruction than our own resources 
can yield. I am very pleased to be able to state that 
the average attendance at the classes has been far above 
most associations that have sent their report to the 
Journal, as you will see in the Secretary’s Report. I 
will just remark here that we are very fortunate in having 
a good secretary. It is well known that the prosperity 
of an association very much depends upon the efficient 
manner in which the secretary’s duties are performed, 
and they are now done as well as could be if we had a 
paid secretary to do them. Besides being secretary, 
Mr. Druce is treasurer (not that that is very difficult, 
our exchequer being rather small), and he has the con¬ 
ducting of the Botany Class as well, which has been 
carried out most successfully; and in other ways Air. 
Druce has been most energetic for the good of the 
Association. 
I have seen in the Report of other Associations that 
they have games, such as chess, etc., and in one instance 
I noticed that they met to have a quiet pipe. Such 
doings I consider to be incompatible with 6tudy, and 
you will be pleased to hear, gentlemen, that neither one 
nor the other is permitted in this room ; in fact, scarcely 
ten minutes is passed of an evening in any manner 
that does not in some way bear upon our profession. 
Mr. Druce then read the following report:— 
“ The Committee have great pleasure in laying the 
half-year’s report before the members of the Associa¬ 
tion, feeling certain that they cannot bo otherwise than 
highly gratified at the position which it occupies, the 
great success which has hitherto attended its movements, 
and the estimation in which it is held by the principals 
in the town. 
“The Committee beg to say that 23 members have 
joined the Association; three have left; so at present 
there are 20 members on their books, there being only 
23 in the town. The average attendance at the classes 
has been 8. This attendance would, doubtless, at first 
