10 
INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. 
referred to for demonstration. Personal experience and the 
records of our Journal, have shown the frequency of adultera- 
tion and debasement of chemical compounds used in medi- 
cine, and these it will be considered as the especial duty of 
this chair to expose. The value and dependance to be placed 
upon an exact knowledge of the specific gravity of liquid pro- 
ducts, and the modes by which this information may be ob- 
tained, should also be taught and enforced. Thus, in general 
terms, is sketched out the plan of our course, so far as regards 
the distribution of scientific matter which is to constitute it, 
but it will not be deemed irrelevant, or considered unjustifia- 
ble, should such moral reflections be associated with the profes- 
sional topics, as may thus be introduced, with advantage to the 
student. In accordance with this view, whatever opportuni- 
ties may offer for sustaining the character and position which 
the Profession of Pharmacy should hold, will be promptly 
seized, and the effort be made to impress on the mind of the 
student the responsible and reputable rank which he is to hold 
in society, how much depends upon his probity, self-respect, 
conscientiousness and knowledge of his profession ; and that 
now, in the morn of his life, are those seeds to be sown, those 
principles to be acquired, those habits fixed, which are to con- 
stitute his character in life, upon which his professional suc- 
cess depends. True it is, that ignorance and cunning may 
thrive for a time, and prevail over modest skill and intelligence; 
some adventitious circumstances may enable bold pretenders 
to attract public confidence, at the expense of diffident merit; 
ultimately, however, the real sterling professor of solid know- 
ledge will secure the palm, and the daring pretender be 
thrown bsck in the race, his mask stripped from his features, 
and the emptiness of his professions exposed. But the success 
and eminence here promised are not to be the reward of indo- 
lence, nor the consequence of even faithful attendance upon a 
single course of lectures. Long, ardent, and well directed 
study must create the foundation upon which that character is 
to be built, destined to become the parent of usefulness and 
respectability in after life. Careful habits, strict system, re- 
