289 
EAELY CLOSING. 
TO THE EDITOES OF THE PHAEMACEUTICAL JOUEHAL. 
Gentlemen,—Will you be so good as to publish the enclosed copy of a notice 
now printing for circulation ? I am taking this course independent of any 
pledge or even communication with the chemists at Kilburn. Trusting, from 
my great experience in the real necessities of our business, and my exertions * 
in the cause of early closing extending over many years, I shall have their 
approval and support, 
I am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, 
John Beaton. 
“ ]\Ir. Beaton begs to apprise the inhabitants of this neighbourhood, that he 
purposes closing his business punctually at nine o’clock (Saturdays one hour 
later) on and after the 1st of December, 18GG. 
“Mr. Beaton does not take this step for any personal convenience or com¬ 
fort, but solely with reference to the public good. He has long regretfully 
observed the diminishing supply of well-qualified chemists’ assistants. Young 
men of capacity shrink from a business which offers so few social privileges. 
The daily responsibility, lengthened out to unreasonable, because unnecessary 
hours, is antagonistic to the advancing intelligence of the times, and the result 
is a great scarcity of assistants of such ability and character as the importance 
of the business recjuires. 
“ G, St. George’s Terrace^ November, 18G6.” 
TO THE EDITOE OF THE PHAEMACEUTICAL JOUENAL. 
Sir,—The letter of Mr. Yizer, in the Journal of this month, is calculated to 
greatly benefit those engaged in our business if they will but follow with spirit 
the example therein set forth. 
Ten years ago, last April, the movement now made in South Belgravia was 
successfully adopted by all then in business in this district; it has worked well 
and much to our comfort; the public generally have fallen in with the arrange¬ 
ment, so that “late duties” are almost entirely at an end. 
I hope, wdth Mr. Vizer, that the infection will spread far and wide through¬ 
out the IMetropolis, and if the testimony of over ten years’ experience can influ¬ 
ence the contagion, I am certain my neighbours will cordially bear out my 
assertion, that the curtailment of our business hours has conduced much to the 
comfort, and with no pecuniary loss, to the “ white slaves” who broke through 
the trammels of custom. Our esteemed friend Mr. John Garle first suggested 
the movement, and, with Mr. Sharpe and self, successfully persuaded our neigh¬ 
bours to follow the improved system. 
Mr. Long, the successor of Mr. Garle, has, with much spirit, embraced the 
earlier hour of eight o’clock to close his estabhshment,—an hour I hope soon to 
be realized by us all. 
I am, Sir, yours respectfully, 
J. E. Lidwell. 
130, High Street, Notting Hill. 
N.B. The closing on Sunday was commenced at the same time, and with the 
happiest results. 
* Vide Pliarm. Journ. vol. viii. 1st series, pp. 152, 197. 
