Tl{E OPENING SESSION. 
179 
as an accessory to that which is practically acquired in the shop, and is not 
intended to supersede it, nor should it be looked upon as more important. 
There may be, and, no doubt, have been cases in which the love of science has 
led to the neglect of those habits upon which success in business so much de¬ 
pends. The acquirement of scientific knowledge, especially while it is confined 
to a portion only of those of kindred pursuits, is likely sometimes to puff up the 
possessors with false notions of superiority, and to engender a distaste for the 
dry, plodding work that must form part of the occupation of a man of business. 
A little science may make a weak man vain and conceited, and indisposed to 
appreciate sterling qualities in men of the older school, who, although deficient 
in some scholastic accomplishments, may excel in the knowledge of what is more 
essential in^a practical point of view. 
These are possible, although by no means necessary, results of the extension 
of education, and especially upon its first introduction. That there have been 
occasional instances in which such results might be traced to the influence of 
education as provided by our Society cannot be doubted 5 but we do not think 
they can be justly ascribed to any defect in the system adopted, or that the 
evil exists to any serious extent. Still it behoves those who are entering upon 
their scientific studies to beware of prejudicial influences to which they may be 
subjected, and to avoid and discourage results which might prove injurious to 
their own interests, and bring unmerited discredit upon an institution from 
which great benefits are resulting to all those engaged in the practice of phar¬ 
macy in this country. 
THE OPENING SESSION. 
Easy circumstances are an excellent institution. Wisdom is a defence, and 
money a defence ; not the least protection afforded by the latter, being that 
broader and more intelligent range of thought, which arises from unvexed 
leisure, as also a large measure of independence with regard to external sources 
of enjoyment. To all whom thus fortune has exceptionally favoured, a Society 
(though by them specially appreciated) is a matter of secondary importance, but 
no man less than the Pharmaceutist in a somewhat straitened way of life, can 
dispense with its stimulating influence. Necessarily to none more than himself 
does the routine of business appear in a less attractive garb. Long hours versus 
scanty remuneration, form too often the dreary equation of his existence. His 
surroundings are constant and the reverse of cheerful,—too much gas and too 
little money,—too much labour and too few returns. 
When we write elegant essays, some flowers of rhetoric may be excused ; but 
when we stand face to face with stern and unwelcome truths, we are bound 
honestly to state them. What can be more dismal than mere shop pharmacy 
on a small scale? What task at once so hopeless and so monotonous? Men 
following other callings, though, in an equally narrow range, have abundant 
counterbalancing resources, the sum of which may be expressed by saying that 
they have shorter hours. But the druggist, trying to solve the mystery of how 
to make ends meet, is chained to his occupation. What truer benevolence can 
be exerted than that which places within reach, not only those means of trade 
extension which have never yet proved ineffectual, but something on which his 
mind may feed without grinding upon itself. 
To a man in the position just described, paradoxical as it may appear, the 
teaching of the Professor of Chemistry is of paramount service; he moreoveE 
(and it is no strained sentiment) is the very character who would be also most 
advantaged by placing himself under the immediate i nfluence of the Professor of 
Botany. 
