INTRODUCTORY" LECTURE. 
243 
the most trivial incidents may originate discoveries far out- 
reaching in their influence the boundaries of his special de- 
partment. 
It is a fact, however, that the majority of those who prac- 
tise Pharmacy, do it solely for a livelihood ; they have no 
views beyond "the profits, and, 7 as a natural consequence, 
every thing is made subservient to that object. They view 
the business as a lucrative one, bring the habits of the mer- 
chant to bear in the promotion of their interests, and science 
(whose true position is in the foreground) is tolerated only 
in so far as she lends her aid and advice in the process of 
accumulation. 
Some individuals enterthe lists of Pharmacy under delu- 
sive impressions, or are placed there by guardians who are 
equally misguided, illy prepared by education or endow- 
ments for so responsible a vocation. It is a sad spectacle 
to behold such giving their earlier years and youthful ener- 
gies to a profession not suited to their talents or inclinations, 
pursuing it, perhaps, until, on the threshold of manhood, they 
find themselves about to be cast on the ocean of society 
in a vessel with whose qualities and powers they are 
too slightly familiar to enable them to cope with the diffi- 
culties that assail them. Many who are unsuccessful as 
apothecaries, might have arisen to respectability and com- 
petence in other pursuits, more harmonious with their incli- 
nations or natural gifts. It too often happens with these, 
that, repelled by ill success from their legitimate calling, they 
are induced to bow before the image of empyricism, in 
the hope of a golden reward, and prostitute that knowledge 
that they never should have acquired, to the invention of 
nostrums, and forcing them into notice. 
But ill success is not always the result of a false position, 
nor is success the invariable sequence of endowments 
and advantages. There are individuals on whom nature 
and fortune have not smiled in their distribution of talent 
and favours, but whose indomitable perseverance and indus- 
