ADDRESS, 
97 
Nor ought the pharmaceutist exclusively to confine his 
reading to the subjects of his profession; he should make to 
contribute to his improvement a variety of information, 
which, by extending his ideas, and increasing his powers of 
usefulness, will enable him to become a more valuable mem- 
ber of society, without endangering inattention to his main 
pursuit. 
Beside the possession of adequate knowledge, and sufficient 
skill to perform the duties of his profession, the reasonable 
expectation is entertained, that every one should use his exer- 
tions to promote its farther progress, and this is binding, in 
proportion to ability and opportunity. Science and art gene- 
rally are more benefited by the limited contributions of the 
many, when taken in the aggregate, than by the more 
numerous additions of a few. How much greater is the 
proportion of names appended to a small number of ob- 
servations, than of those upon which enviable distinction 
has been conferred by the extent and brilliancy of dis- 
coveries; and has it not often occurred that a single fact, 
announced by an unpretending individual, has been the starting 
point of important researches, by which exalted reputation has 
been obtained? How frequently has it happened, that a prin- 
ciple or law, that has revolutionized the whole body of doc- 
trines previously accredited, has arisen from scattered, isolat- 
ed truths, when to each has been given its appropriate posi- 
tion in a category; and yet he who has made a valuable obser- 
vation, announced an unknown fact, or elicited important 
truths, is as well a benefactor of his age, as he who from them 
can fabricate a system. Could Linnaeus or Jussieu, have 
formed their incomparable methods of classification, without 
subsidiary assistance freely procured by them from humbler 
laborers in the cause of Botany? Could Lavoisier, Dalton, 
or Gay Lussac, have framed their respective theories of com- 
bustion, of atoms, of volumes, had they not been aided by 
antecedent and cotemporary operatives? Unrivalled as were 
the achievements which these illustrious men were capable of 
accomplishing, it would not have been possible for them to 
VOL. v. — NO. II. 13 
