520  Memoir  of  Prof .  Wm.  Procter,  Jr.  {%J0™fJ8n™' 
In  1841,  he  accepted  the  position  as  secretary  to  the  committee  on 
revision  of  the  Pharmacopoeia,  and  made  numerous  experiments  for 
the  committee  ;  chief  of  which  were  on  the  production  of  ether,  and 
Hoffman's  anodyne.  His  first  experiments  on  ether,  he  records  as 
failures  ;  but  says,  "  I  have  got  on  the  track  to  obtain  a  good  article 
of  Hoffman's  anodyne." 
The  years  1842  and  1843,  continued  his  engagement  at  Sixth  and 
Pine  streets.  His  leisure  hours  were  improved  by  continuing  his 
study  of  chemistry,  taking  up  also  botany,  and  learning  the  French 
language.  General  literature  received  considerable  attention  from 
him  during  this  period.  The  Life  of  Washington,  Johnson's  Life, 
Alison's  History  of  Europe,  and  moral  philosophy,  are  recorded  as 
forming  part  of  his  reading.  In  1812,  he  made  a  journey  through 
central  Pennsylvania  to  Pittsburgh,  continuing  westward  as  far  as 
Cleveland.  He  returned  by  the  way  of  the  lakes  to  Niagara,  then 
through  the  lake  district  of  New  York,  and  home,  by  the  way  of 
Elmira  and  Williamsport. 
In  February,  1844,  he  purchased  the  property  at  the  southwest 
corner  of  Ninth  and  Lombard  streets,  and  commenced  making  alter- 
ations to  render  it  suitable  for  a  store. 
We  cannot  do  better  than  give  his  own  recorded  words  at  this  im- 
portant period,  when  about  to  embark  in  life  on  his  own  account : 
"  I  am  about  to  leave  Sixth  and  Pine  streets,  after  so  long  a  residence. 
What  singular  events  occur  !  Little  did  such  a  prospect  appear  prob- 
able some  years  ago.  Steadiness  and  calmness  of  mind,  how  impor- 
tant to  the  proper  appreciation  of  life  !  This  I  daily  become  more 
convinced  of,  and  find  cause  to  note  the  want  of  it  in  my  own  case. 
Reflection  steadily  and  calmly  directed  to  moral  and  intellectual  im- 
provement, with  all  the  rigor  of  justice,  and.  all  the  affection  of  mercy, 
how  few  can  truly  govern  themselves  !  I  have  made  little  progress 
in  this  all-important  power,  and  have  too  frequent  cause  to  regret 
acts  of  indiscretion  and  weakness." 
On  the  12th  of  May,  1844,  he  opened  store,  and  was  behind  his 
own  counter.  Long  accustomed  to  the  routine  of  an  old-established 
business,  the  uncertainty  of  success  in  his  new  position,  and  the  trials 
which  assail  the  mind  while  waiting  for  some  indication  of  prosperity, 
he  did  not  escape.  Three  months  after  opening  his  store,  he  writes, 
"  It  has  been  a  time  of  singular  discomfort  to  me,  the  anxiety  in- 
cident to  opening  a  new  store,  and  the  much  time  unemployed  has 
