TRANSACTIONS OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY. 
aminer gave a number to the candidate, according to his merit: 10 was the 
highest that could be attained ; some candidates received 8 for one thing and 
5 for another, and 7 for a third, and so forth; but when all were added up, the 
average must be 5, or the candidate was not passed.” 
Now, we are bold to ask, if this examination be not a good practical one, 
what examination can be so ? Is not this knowledge that which is required to 
make a man a good sound pharmaceutist, such as the public may safely 
trust, and such as they have a right to seek ? And is there anything in this 
which an apprentice of ordinary talents and diligence ought not to be able to 
pass with honour at the close of his apprenticeship? Of course the Major is 
more difficult, more scientific acquaintance with all these subjects is sought; 
but nothing then is required from a young man which a few months’ study 
will not impart. 
Amongst those who present themselves, chemists already in business are fre¬ 
quently found; and it is much to be desired that every facility should be offered 
to those who are desirous of doing this. There are two hindrances which natu¬ 
rally influence the man in business ; he is unwilling to mingle with assistants 
and juniors, and to be examined with them. This has frequently engaged the 
attention of the Council, and there is no doubt that they would willingly arrange 
an examination, either in the evening or at any other suitable time, which should 
be for those in business only, if a sufficient number were to signify their readi¬ 
ness to avail themselves of it; and then it is, no doubt, felt by those in busi¬ 
ness, that their time for technical study has gone by, and that however qualified 
they may feel themselves for the practical conduct of their business, they might 
be rejected because of their want of scientific knowledge. To this it may be 
replied, that the ordering of the examination is with the Council, and that they 
have both the will and the power to vary it, according to the persons to be ex¬ 
amined ; that the knowledge required of men in business would be very diffe¬ 
rent from that which would be sought from a young man fresh from his studies; 
and that the sound practical acquaintance with his business, which a respectable 
chemist possesses, would be sure to satisfy (in his case) the examiners appointed 
by the Council. 
LEGISLATION AEEECTING TRADE. 
The County Courts Acts Amendment Bill , which was introduced in the House 
of Lords by the Lord Chancellor, and which, although containing some useful 
provisions, would, if joassed in its original form, have injuriously affected many 
tradesmen who have frequently to give long credit, was withdrawn on the 17tli 
of June. 
TRANSACTIONS 
OF 
TILE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY. 
AT A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL, June 1st, 1864, 
Present — Messrs. Bird, Bottle, Deane, George Edwards, Hanbnry, Haselden, Herring, 
Hills, Morson, Orridge, Proctor, Sandford, Savage, Squire, Standring, and Waugh. 
Being the first Meeting after the Anniversary, the following Officers of the Society 
were elected:— 
George Webb Sandford . President. 
Thomas Hyde Hills . Vice-President. 
Daniel Bell PIanbury . Treasurer. 
Elias Bremridge. Secretary and Registrar. 
