REPORT ON MEDICAL EDUCATION, &C. 
57 
the Worshipful company, not only that these gentlemen are 
incompetent to direct the medical education of intended 
practitioners, but that the incorporation has failed to perform 
its duties, while in others it has made use of its privileges in 
a manner not only obnoxious but unjust, and utterly in con- 
travention of the spirit of the Act of Parliament, which con- 
ferred them. 
Before proceeding to this task, it may not be amiss to 
lay before our readers, some historical information respecting 
the Apothecaries' Company : 
By letters-patent under the great seal of England, dated 
9th April, in the fourth year of his reign, James I. ordained, 
and granted, that all and singular freemen of the Mystery 
of Grocers and Apothecaries of the city of London, and their 
successors for ever thereafter, for the better ordering, govern- 
ing, and rule of Men of the Mystery of Grocers and Apothe- 
caries of the city of London, and for the profit, commodity, 
and rule of the good and honest, and for the fear and correction 
of evil, and deceitful, and vvicked, should be and remain one 
body corporate and politic in substance, deed, and name, by 
the name of the Wardens and Fellowship of the Mystery 
and Grocers of the city of London." In the 15th year, 
however, of the same reign, a separation between the two 
trades was effected, by his majesty granting a new charter. 
By this, 122 individuals therein named, and all other persons 
" brought up, and skilful in the art, faculty, or mystery of an 
Apothecary, and the same art, faculty, or mystery, at this 
time existing, and being Freemen of the Mystery of Grocers 
of the city of London; and with the same jointly and pro- 
miscuously, into one body corporate and commonalty, made 
and constituted, or being freemen of any other arts, faculties, 
or mysteries, in the city of London, and with the same into 
one body corporate, society, or commonalty, heretofore made 
incorporated or constituted," and all their apprentices legally 
bound, were separated from the Grocers, and formed into a 
new incorporation, by the name of " The Master, Wardens j 
VOL. III. NO. I. S 
