in that capacity can be testified to by scores of our most eminent pharmacists, and the secret of his success seems to have been that he has adopted the scientific method of teaching his own science, steadily avoiding all those apparently royal roads which commend themselves to some to their own delusion, and constantly advocating that one steady course through the narrow way that leads to right. And for this, not pharmacists only, but the whole public, ought to feel, so far as they know the facts, something like gratitude. But possibly the most interesting point in our friend's career was that at which he allowed himself to become the chief Honorary Secretary of this Conference. He, I am sure, would not wish me to attribute the whole success of this organization to his labours. He was associated in those days with men who have always been found faithful to the cause of Pharmaceutical progress, some of whom I see around me now, whilst some of them have gone to their rest. All were earnest in their endeavours to promote an organization which was aiming, as they thought and as he thought, at advancing the highest interests of pharmacy. They all laboured earnestly, but I know that those gentlemen, and all who laboured with them, would wish me to say that they regard Professor Attfield's labours as the most prominent, and that they would accord to him a very large portion of the honour due to those who carried the infant through its early days into maturity. The project of this presentation was initiated a year ago, and during the interval I am happy to remind you that Professor Attfield has received perhaps the highest reward which a scientific Englishman of the present day can seek. He has received the blue ribbon of science in being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. I think, however, it will be gratifying to you all to remember that this testimonial was initiated before the recognition of Professor Attfield's claims to scientific distinction on the part of the governing body of the Royal Society. But probably you will all feel glad when my weak words are ended; I will, therefore, detain you no longer than to read this scroll which is to accompany the presentation of some volumes of general literature. These are at present in London, where an opportunity may perhaps be afforded those who feel curious to see them to do so during the next few weeks, as they are too bulky to be brought down here:-" Presented, with about five hundred volumes of general literature, to John Attfield, Ph.D., F.R.S., Professor of Practical Chemistry to the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, etc., by Members of the British Pharmaceutical Conference, in token of their goodwill and hearty

appreciation of his services as Senior Honorary Secretary of the Conference from its foundation at Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1863 to its meeting at Swansea in 1880." That is signed by myself as Chairman, F. B. Benger, Henry B. Brady, T. Hyde Hills, Theophilus Redwood, Richard Reynolds, and Michael Carteighe, Honorary Secretary, representing, as the "Testimonial Committee," the very large number of members who contributed to the memorial. I beg, with your permission, sir, to hand it to Professor Attfield.

Professor Attfield, as soon as the cheering had subsided, rose and said:-Mr. President, Mr. Schacht, and gentlemen, I accept your very handsome testimonial with feelings of pleasure and of satisfaction which are simply inexpressible. As you have heard, seventeen years of the prime of my life have been devotedshoulder to shoulder with such honoured colleagues as Reynolds, and Brady, and Schacht, with Presidents who still gladden us with their presence, and Presidents who have passed away-to the founding, developing, and maintaining of the British Pharmaceutical Conference. My great reward-the greatest reward, as a matter of course is seen in the grand success of our joint labours. That success is unquestionable. We have, officers and members together, during the seventeen years of the life of the Pharmaceutical Conference, contributed to the stock of pharmaceutical knowledge four hundred original investigations, and we have done that without impoverishing in the slightest degree any other agency for the prosecution of original research. We have annually given opportunities for the leading chemists and druggists of Great Britain and Ireland to assemble together and exchange thoughts and opinions on pharmaceutical matters, and, by the generous aid of the local members in the towns visited, we have given them ample opportunities for friendly intercourse and goodfellowship; and these things have had the happiest results. And lastly, for the past ten years we have given to every one of our 2000 or 2,500 members, not only the ordinary advantages of membership in a great association, but a record of the pharmaceutical discoveries made throughout the whole world, in the form of a "Year-Book," which itself has been, I think, at least of double the value of the annual subscription. I say again, my greatest reward is in contemplating the results of these, our joint labours. But, gentleman, to have one's life work appreciated and recognised by those for whom it has been more immediately undertaken and continued is extremely gratifying, and, therefore, I thank you from the depths of my consciousness for this most delightful present.

Gentlemen, my wife will thank you. And my children will thank you too; for they are just entering on the paths of general literature, and my library, although fairly well reflecting chemistry and the kindred sciences, much needs enriching in such works as those you now present to me. I myself, at the age of fourteen, or a few weeks over, went from my school books straight to the study of manuals of chemistry, botany, pharmacy, and materia medica; but, like Enoch Arden, I have ever desired that my children should have even a better bringing up. And as for my wife, of whom I am sure I may say, "many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all," I have long determined that she, now that the cares of teaching and training are getting less, should have the opportunity of having at command the works of those authors with whom a busy life (busy as mine) has only allowed of her having a partial acquaintance. You, by this present you now make me, enable me to realize some of my most cherished hopes. Gentlemen, I can only say that you could not possibly have gratified me and my family more than by publicly recognising this work that I have done, the loving labour that I have undergone for you and for pharmacy, and you could not possibly have chosen a better mode of showing your appreciation.

Loud applause greeted the conclusion of the above brief but very effective speech, and the proceedings terminated with three cheers for Professor Attfield.-Pharmaceutical Journal.

THE EXCURSION.

On Thursday, Aug. 26th, those pharmacists who bestirred themselves sufficiently early, and could, unaided by the spectroscope, descry the sun through the sulphurous mist that invariably overhangs Landore, east of Swansea, were unanimous in deciding that although the Local Committee in its wisdom had abandoned the idea of an excursion by water, still there was every prospect that more or less of that fluid might persist in accompanying them and their friends. These forebodings, however, deterred but few, and the members, accompanied by many of the fairer sex, made a start at 11 from the Royal Institution. Coaching westward through the town, and passing the pretty villa residences that line the road, they soon fancied themselves away from the devastating effects of copper smoke. Within a quarter of an hour a full view of the Mumbles was obtained, passing through Sketty Village, where

abundance of honeysuckle skirted the road. A view of the bay was followed in quick succession by the pretty valley in which is the railway station of Killay. No sooner, however, was an attempt made to cross Fairwood Moor than the rain descended in such quantity as to obscure the clear-sighted vision of the guide, Mr. Grose, and to effectually prevent him from pointing out the grouse in the surrounding heather. Nothing daunted, the journey was continued; the old castles of Kilvrough and Pennard were passed, and upon reaching Penmaen the sun once more shone, and the rain disappeared for the day. From the coach road a fine view was obtained of Three Cliff Bay, Cefyn Bryn and Oxwich Burrows. Penrice Castle, the seat of Mr. Talbot, M.P., was reached about two, and the excellent enrichments of the mosaic mantelpieces and the pictures were much admired. Here the botanists enjoyed their favourite pursuit, and found during their ramble through the park to Oxwich beach Origanum vulgare, Lappa minor, Centranthus ruber, Mentha rotundifolia, Campanula Trachelium, Enantha crocata, Cichorium Intybus, Epilobium hirsutum, Menyanthes trifoliata, etc.

Through the kindness of the Rev. Mr. Jenkins, Vicar of St. John's, luncheon was served on his lawn, and his church on the edge of the beach was visited by many. The parties here divided, the ladies coaching, others walking for a mile or two along the beautiful sandy beach, while the more robust wended their way through the woods. All, however, arrived at the Gower Union House, which had been kindly placed at the disposal of the Committee by the guardians, and here the whole party appreciated a very excellent "high tea" and indulged in humorous speeches, some in Welsh, complimentary of Messrs. Hughes and Grose, and other local friends. At dusk the excursionists retraced their way, and arrived safely at Swansea soon after ten o'clock, much pleased with their trip.

INDEX.