chemists’ assistants’ association. 
419 
occupied for many hours, should seek some mode of relaxation. It is therefore 
matter for congratulation, that such an Association as this should have been 
attempted. ’ Its future prosperity will depend absolutely on the wisdom and 
energy of its conductors. Their task is by no means easy, and success will 
be infinitely to their honour. Similar projects have been entertained ; but 
whether through apathy or the temptation of more powerful attractions, the 
design has failed. This Association starts with the douljle object of affording 
a means of friendly intercourse, and of elevating the character of Enghsh 
pharmacy. 
The following are some of the rules :— 
“That the Association consist of an unlimited number of chemists’assistants, 
who shall meet for the discussion of matters relating to their profession, and 
for any other purposes that a majority of the members may deem expedient. 
“ That tlie meetings shall be held at 14, Air Street, Regent Street, on every 
Thursday evening, from 9.15 to 10.30, and that at each meeting a chairman be 
appointed for the ensuing meeting. 
“ That every member pay on his election the sum of I 5 . Qd., and a subscrip¬ 
tion of Qd. per calendar month afterwards ; the first subscription to become 
due on the first meeting-night in the month following his election. 
“ That any member be at liberty to introduce a friend on meeting-nights, but 
such friend shall not be allowed to take any part in the business of the Associ¬ 
ation. Any misconduct on the part of such friend to be considered as having 
been committed by the member by whom he was introduced. 
“ That card-playing and gambling be forbidden at meetings.” 
The origin of the Association is thus stated. On the 7th day of April, 1864, 
a few gentlemen met by mutual arrangement in this room to consider the idea 
of establishing an association or club (to be composed of chemists’ assistants 
only), for chemical and pharmaceutical discussions. The “fev/ gentlemen” 
referred to, soon added to their number, and in June, 1864 (two months after 
their first meeting), they started on their career with twenty-eight members. 
The first quarter thirteen new members joined, the second quarter eighteen, 
the third six, and the fourth twelve. Thus at the end of the first twelve 
months the Society numbered something like seventy-seven members. The 
first quarter of the second year eight new members joined, and the second 
quarter (now just completed) four ; thus making the total number who have 
joined our Society, from its first formation, eighty-eight. 
These numbers are subject to variation ; about ninety members represent 
their present strength. The Society has now been in existence two and a half 
years, and its meetings are continued, as usual, with a good share of success. 
Subjects connected with pharmacy are introduced almost weekly, -whilst all 
matters of a personal character, together with those having reference to the re¬ 
lation between employers and assistants, are rigidly excluded. Smoking and 
refreshments are both allowed, and seem, in fact, to assist in the favourable 
reception of the scientific details (not always of an easy or simple character) 
often introduced for discussion. The business of the evening commences at 
ten o’clock, and closes about eleven (see “ Abstract of Proceedings ”), the only 
necessary expenses to members being the usual monthly subscription, and the 
waiter’s fee of one penny on each occasion of personal attendance. A supper 
is held half-yearly, when from thirty to forty members meet together. 
Objection might be taken to the meetings being held at a place of public 
resort or “tavern,” where, of necessity, the usual refreshments, in the shape of 
wine, beer, and tobacco, are introduced ; but without attempting any defence 
of this position, it is considered that such an arrangement is necessary to- the 
existence of the Society, and, as no harm has hitherto accrued from it, it is 
regarded quite in a subordinate sense as means to an end (that end being the 
