It was on Feb. 27, 1662, that Samuel Pepys records that “about 11 o’clock Commissioner Pett and I walked to Chyrurgeon’s Hall (we being all invited thither, and promised to dine there), where we were led into the theatre; and by-and-by comes the reader, Dr. Tearne, with the master and company, in a very handsome manner; and, all being settled, he began his lecture, and his discourse being ended, we had a fine dinner and good learned company, many doctors of Physique, and we used with extraordinary great respect. Among other observables we drunk the King’s health out of a gilt cup given by King Henry VIII. to this Company, with bells hanging on it, which every man is to ring by shaking after he hath drunk up the whole cup.... Dr. Scarborough took some of his friends, and I went with them, to see the body of a lusty fellow, a seaman, that was hanged for robbery.” The cup to which Pepys alludes, and other interesting pieces of plate, are still in the possession of the Company, and they also have an excellent picture of Inigo Jones by Vandyke, and many other pictures of interest. There are also to be seen four silver wreaths worn by the master and wardens on state occasions, and upstairs is a massive oak table said to be the original table used for anatomical purposes. The apprentices of the Company were kept in order. For example, they were not allowed to wear a beard of more than fifteen days’ growth, and in case of offence in this particular the master was fined 6s. 8d. Apprentices were bound to be able to read and write, and those that intended practising in London passed what appear to have been preliminary examinations. “How he knoweth what ys surgery and also what an anatomy ys, and how many parts it is; of what the iiij elements and the xij signes be, which is the first part of examynacion for a prentyce.” The apprentice was then bound to read to the court every half-year an epistle, in order that the court might judge of his progress; and he first became a probationer and was licensed for so many years, at the end of which time, subject to good behaviour and adequate knowledge, he was admitted a master of surgery and anatomy. The fee for the apprentice’s examination appears to have been a silver spoon, with his name upon it, weighing one ounce; and 7d. to the clerk for writing and seal. The examination fee for the great diploma appears to have been £6 6s. THE APOTHECARIES.