296 PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OP GREAT BRITAIN. 
which the Committee were appointed the first Council, of 
which Wm. C. Allen, F. R. S. is President, Charles James 
Payne, Vice President, Richard Hotham Pigeon, Trea- 
surer, R. A. Farmar and G. W. Smith, Secretaries. 
The Council commenced their efforts by issuing an Address 
to the Chemists and Druggists of Great Britain, soliciting 
their co-operation and support. A portion of the address we 
subjoin, which will show the views with which they entered 
upon their labors. 
"Chemists and druggists have long had reason to regret the want of a 
union of their influence for mutual benefit and protection, and of a uniform 
education and internal government among themselves, as a means of sub- 
stantiating their claim to public confidence ; being conscious that as long 
as these defects exist, they may expect to be assailed by obnoxious im- 
putations on the part of those medical reformers who are endeavoring to 
enforce a system of extraneous restrictions and supervision. 
If 'the trade' is to be protected merely as a trade, and Acts of Parlia- 
ment professedly designed for its reformation are to be opposed solely 
on the ground of self-interest, the task of self-defence will be endless and 
probably unsuccessful, while the exertions wasted on such struggles can 
reflect no credit on the spirit or integrity of those who are thus engaged ; 
but if, aware that some regulations may be required, we endeavor to sup- 
ply the deficiency, which is urged as a pretext for hostile proceedings, we 
shall secure ourselves against the possibility of persecution. 
The importance which chemists and druggists have obtained as a 
branch of the Medical Profession, the reputation which many among them 
have acquired individually in their own department,, and the great accession 
of numbers which now swells their ranks, demand the establishment of 
some judicious regulations which shall place them in a safe and credita- 
ble position as a body. 
Those among us who take a real interest in our scientific art, rejoice at 
the opportunity which is now afforded of placing the 'trade'!' of a chem- 
ist and druggist on a professional footing, and effecting a union of our 
scattered forces for mutual benefit and gadvancement. By these means, 
talents, which have hitherto lain dormant, will be excited into aetion,fa 
harmonious intercourse will take the place of reciprocal jealousy and dis- 
trust, and all the collective influence we possess will [become available 
in attaining the desired improvement among ourselves, and resisting en- 
croachments or interference on the part of others. 
The Council are particularly desirous of overcoming the impression, 
that a voluntary society cannot effect these objects. They consider that 
