2S TIIE NEW ACT AS AFFECTING ASSISTANTS. 
is to come, into operation and benefit us as a trade, it must be founded on the 
most liberal basis. We all know there are men outside the Society who are cer¬ 
tainly on an equality, and some I have no doubt superior to many we call Phar¬ 
maceutical Chemists, both in scientific attainments and in sound practical busi¬ 
ness qualities, and these are the very men we want, men of experience and 
energy. Why, then, if they are to be admitted, should they not enjoy the same 
privileges, when they might bring their talents to bear, not more to their own 
advantage, than to that of the Society itself ? I think it should be the object of 
the Council and of all who are interested in the welfare of the Society to strive 
to gain and bring into its membership those men who will conduce most to its 
well-working and prosperity. Of course under the proposed Act, many others 
must be admitted, but we need not trouble about them ; our object should be to 
raise others as much as ourselves. And it must be remembered that most of 
these men have, although not connected with us, been contributing to the science 
and practice of Pharmacy and Chemistry. Here, then, is the opportunity for 
the Society to become firmly established ; let not the Council cavil obstinately 
for a false superiority, but if the doors are to be opened let them be opened wide 
freely, let all in on the same footing with ourselves, and then see that they be 
well guarded for the future. How is it we see so little change in the Council ? 
I should like to see a clause in the new Bill to this effect, that no member should 
remain more than two or three years in succession, it would bring more intelli¬ 
gence and energy to bear on its deliberations,—not but what we owe a good deal 
to the present members, but I think a little changing about would be beneficial. 
I sent a suggestion last year that the Pharmaceutical men should have a dinner, 
but I was sorry to find it met with no response. I still look forward to the time 
when we shall have our annual dinner, but at present I shall leave the matter to 
abler hands. At all events, it shows that “Pharmaceutical Chemists” are not 
such a hungry lot as the public take them for. 
I remain, Gentlemen, yours faithfully, 
Frederick Tibbs. 
47, Blaclcfriars Road , London , June 21, 18G4. 
THE NEW ACT AS AFFECTING ASSISTANTS. 
TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir,—At the anniversary meeting of the Society, Mr. Edwards, in advocating 
the adoption of the Amended Pharmacy Act, submitted that he could not do 
better than allow the measure to speak for itself, and stand upon its own in¬ 
trinsic merit; and seeing that the Society is now committed to carry the matter 
to Parliament, no assistance should be slighted or despised. It has occurred to 
me that were the proposed Bill, as affecting those Assistants now without the 
Society, fairly stated to them, it must gain from them a large amount of vigorous 
moral support , and, if I might instance the beneficial change the co-operation 
of young men in the early closing movement has produced throughout the king¬ 
dom, who could fathom the influence such moral support might wield ? The 
moderation of the change sought, the undeniable desirability of the object, the 
spirit of justice to both sides breathed throughout the Bill, and the facility and 
inexpensiveness of its application to the whole trade, cannot fail in the minds of 
non-principal outsiders to overturn many a prejudice and refute a legion of old, 
and in some instances plausible, objections. 
By way of illustration, take this one,—Your examinations oblige us to incur 
outlay our position will not warrant, and they require too much time for general 
adoption by the profession.” Now this one argument, to my own very limited 
knowledge, has debarred some score of young men with wdiom I have been brought 
