Page:Merret - A short view of the frauds and abuses committed by apothecaries.pdf/28

 by Order of the King and his Council, to deliver their opinions concerning some Quæries, which comprised the main of what was desired and petitioned for by the college, of this present Parliament. But before the Committee could make report to the House, the Parliament was adjourned, whereupon Apothecaries falsely gave out, and made people believe our Charter was taken from us. And in this transaction before the Committee, one Cocket an Apothecary exhibited in the name of the Chymysts such a Scandalous Libel, as the Committee would not suffer to be read; drawn as some conceive by the assistance, and countenance, if not contrivance of his Company.

Lastly, The Company of the Apothecaries are bound by their Charter to bring their Servants (before they make them Free) to be examined by the Censors of our College, and to have their approbation of their fitness to exercise their Art, and set up their Trade. Now that they have herein neglected their duty, and consequently maybe dis-franchised and lose their Freedoms for this omission, 'tis manifest not only by the vapours of some of them to some members of our Body, that they never underwent this examination; but also by comparing of our Register (wherein are recorded the names of all such as have been examined) with theirs, if they keep any for this purpose. Sure I am, that in two years together, when I was Censor, very few, if any, did appear to their examination, whereas yearly a very great number set up their Trades. Nay since the firing of London not one Apothecaries Servant hath been examined by the Censors for more then these three Years last past, in which time Rh