312 
LIVERPOOL CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
that Dr. Edwards and Mr. N. Mercer, F.C.S., had been appointed to conduct the La¬ 
boratory Pharmacy Class for the ensuing session, conjointly; and that Messrs. J. 
Abraham, S. Banner, J. B. Edwards, H. S. Evans, and M. Murphy had been constituted 
the Library and Museum Committee. 
The following gentlemen were elected members:—Messrs. Henry Murray Steele, 
B. Pheysey, and J. F. Brown. 
The donations to the Library announced were :—‘ The Analysis of the British Phar¬ 
macopoeia,’by Dr. Nevins,from the Author ; ‘The British and London Pharmacopoeias 
Compared,’ by George Barber, Esq.; ‘ The Chemist and Druggist ’ for September, from 
the Proprietor ; ‘The Technologist,’ from the Editor. 
Mr. J. Shaw presented, through the kindness of Major Greig, a number of Calabar 
beans, the seeds of the Physostigma venenoswn, to the Museum. 
The President proposed that the thanks of the meeting be given to the donors; it 
was carried. 
The President then proceeded to deliver his annual address. He said,—Gentlemen, 
Another year, with its thousandfold transactions, its startling facts, and ceaseless flow of 
word and thought, has passed into history, and finds us, the members of the Liverpool 
Chemists’ Association, upon the threshold of a new arena of discussion, research, and 
education. It is with very mingled feelings that I meet you this evening, to inaugurate 
the sixteenth session of this Society’s proceedings. The position in which your Council 
have placed me, as President, is one the duties of which I cannot for a moment consider 
without the greatest solicitude. Indeed, I fear that in accepting this highly honourable 
but responsible office, which I have done, after a very great deal of hesitation, I have 
laid myself open to a charge of presumption, that one in such indifferent health, with 
such a scanty acquaintance with science, and so much pre-engaged, should stand in the 
way of others far more able and worthy to preside in this assembly, and far more 
worthy to wear the mantle that descends from those highly esteemed gentlemen who 
have graced this chair before me. I can only say that while I thank you for the honour 
you have, through your Council, done me, it shall be my study to make my poor abili¬ 
ties keep pace with my earnest will for the continued success and growing efficiency of 
the Liverpool Chemists’ Association. In looking forward to the duties of the coming 
session, as I do through the clouds I have just indicated, as well as through the cares of 
a public appointment, the details of which would almost puzzle an Admirable Crichton, 
it is a great consolation to know that your Council have elected as Vice-President a 
gentleman whose fame and esteem among us to attempt to augment by any eulogium 
of mine, would be an impertinence. The very history and existence of the Society is 
wound in thread for thread with his own. That gentleman is our esteemed friend Mr. 
Nathan Mercer. As Secretary, his energy and zeal have never been surpassed. What, 
then, will his Vice-Presidency be? I fear to think of a future, when his counsel and 
far-reaching judgment shall not be available for your interests. 
I must also congratulate you upon the accession to office of another gentlemau, who 
gives promise as Secretary of being a worthy successor to the Mercers, and Walkers, 
and Shaws, and Tates, and Evanses of the past. 
Mr. Murphy, I have very little doubt, will leave the impress of his well-known abili¬ 
ties upon this Society, as I hope, we are collectively, as an association, leaving our mark 
upon the Pharmaceutical trade of this country and the age. Long as I have been con¬ 
nected with your Association, which is nearly from its commencement, I have never felt 
more interest in its operations and success, than at present, nor so much impressed with 
its value and usefulness. I wish for it the most decided progress and enlarged pro¬ 
sperity, because this is almost sure to be the result of increasing education, thoughtful¬ 
ness, and elevation among the members of our community in Liverpool. 
Among the pleasures and advantages connected with an association like ours, both to 
employers and employed, I may mention the pleasant social intercourse which it secures, 
when we sip together the cup of friendship, “which cheers but not inebriates,” the 
happy oblivion of unpleasant distinctions, the confidential interchange of opinion, by the 
humblest with the most distinguished ; and last, though not least, let me not forget “ the 
bright spots in memory’s wastes,” when at our conversaziones, the cheering, elevating in¬ 
fluence of the gentler sex is shed upon our path. In our keen pursuit of science and im¬ 
provement in our art, let us not forget the cultivation of the moral feelings. And as often 
