The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, is an association of druggists and apothecaries, instituted in March 1821, and incorporated by the legislature in March 1822. This society is the only one of the kind in the United States ; its ob jects, as expressed in the preamble to their act of incor poration, are, " to provide means of instruction, by the establishment of a school of pharmacy, in which shall be taught those branches of knowledge essential to the edu cation of an apothecary ; to excite a spirit of pharmaceu tical investigation and research, and to diffuse information amongst the member s of the profession ; to guard the drug market from the introduction of spurious, adulterat ed, deteriorated, or otherwise mischievous articles, which are too frequently forced into it, by watching and giving early warnimj of their appearance ; to regulate the busi ness, as far as may be practicable and consistent with our social institutions ; to establish such rules as may promote an harmonious intercourse among its members ; and to remedy many existing abuses." A school of pharmacy has been established, with two professorships, under the direction of the college. The of a library, and a cabinet of specimens of the various subst;ances composing the materia medica, and other branches of natural history, is in progress.
Thr Law _dcademy.—This institution was formed for the advancement of legal knowledge the students and junior members of the bar. The academy meets every week during the winter, for the discussion of legal ques tions, under the direction of a provost and vice-provost, who are men eminent in their profession, and competent to decide upon the merits of the arguments delivered during the debate.
The Academy of Fine Arts was established in 1805, and is located in a building suitable for the exhibition of the paintings and statues of the society. Besides the works of art belonging to the Academy, amounting to several hundred specimens, which are daily exhibited, six weeks in each year are appropriated to the reception of such as are loaned by American and foreign artists and amateurs for the purpose of exhibition.
Philadelphia Library Company.—This valuable institu tion was incorporated in 1769, and has ever since conti nued in a flourishing condition. The number of volumes is upwards of thirty thousand, embracing an extremely valuable collection of books on science, literature, and miscellaneous subjects. Yearly accessions are made by the purchase of foreign and native works of merit.
The Lcganian Library, formerly the property of the late Dr. I. Logan, is kept in the same building, and under the care of the same board of directors, as the Philadelphia Library. It consists of about four thousand volumes of very rare, curious, and valuable books in the ancient lan guages.
Friends' Library consists of near three thousand volumes, on religious and miscellaneous subjects. The books arc loaned free of charge to any respectable applicant.
Athen cum.—This association was incorporated in April 1815, and has for its object the procuring of newspapers of different states and countries, pamphlets, books, maps, charts, and of collecting historical and other monuments connected with the history and antiquities of America, and the useful arts, and generally to disseminate useful know ledge. Diplomatic characters,clergymen, and such foreign consuls as are not resident citizens of the United States, are admitted gratis to the use of the rooms. Persons re siding at a distance of more than ten miles, introduced by a stockholder or subscriber to the librarian, are admitted for one month, at each visit gratis. If remaining longer, upon being proposed by a stockholder, they can be elected for three months for three dollars, or six months for six. Each original or annual subscriber must write to the board that lie intends to withdraw, having paid up all arrearages.
This must be done before the first Monday in February of each year. The library contains about three thousand volumes, and is increasing annually. The rooms are open every clay and evening, Sundays excepted, from November first to May first, from eight o'clock A.i\I until ten o'clock P.M.; and from the firstof 1\1ay to the first of November, from seven o'clock A.M. until ten o'clock P.M.
Government and Police —The first charter of Phila delphia was granted by William Penn, in 1701. The corporation consisted of a mayor, recorder, aldermen, and common councilmen, with very extensive powers and pri vileges, and free from the control of the commonalty, who had no share in the government of the city. This charter was nearly a copy of that of Bristol, England. This corporation was rendered void by the revolution, and the town remained unincorporated from the year 1777 to 1789. The law creating the present corporation was passed by the legislature in the year 1809, and has since been amended by several supplements. The corporation consist of a mayor,reco•der, aldermen, and the select and common councils. The whole of its legislative power is vested in the councils, the former of which consists of twelve, and the latter of twenty members. One-third of the select, and the whole of the common council, are chosen annually by the people. The first business, after their election, is to choose a mayor from the body of aldermen. The recorder and aldermen, of whom there are fifteen, are appointed by the governor of the state, and hold their offices during good behaviour. The mayor and aldermen have severally the powers of a justice of the peace, and, together with the recorder, hold a court for the trial of petty offences committed within the limits of the city. The mayor appoints the city commissioners, high consta bles, clerks of the market, &c.
The police establishment of the city consists of two high constables; fourteen constables, elected by the people; a captain and lieutenant of the nightly watch, with a con siderable number of subordinate watchmen. Thieves and rioters or vagrants, apprehended during the night, are taken to the rendezvous of the watch, and in the morning brought before the mayor, who sits in his office every day from nine to twelve o'clock A.M. for the hearing of offenders. The police officers are vigilant and attentive to their duty, and the city remarkable for order and de corum, both during day and night.
Climate.—Notwithstanding the climate is variable, and subject to extremes of heat and cold, Philadelphia has been remarkable for its general salubrity. The cleanliness of the streets, and the abundant supply of wholesome water with which the city is furnished, are very conducive to health. The principal diseases are, consumption of the lungs, and the cholera infantum, which, together with other complaints incident to very young children, occa sion a large mortality amongst those under one year of age.
Environs.—The scenery in the neighbourhood of Phila delphia is varied and picturesque. The banks of the Schuylkill are romantic, and abound in beautiful villas, and seats of opulent citizens. To the north are the plea sant villages of Germantown and Frankfcrd ; and to the south, the neck of land between the Delaware and Schuyl kill rivers, forming one continuous garden, and producing that variety of fruit and vegetables for which the markets of Philadelphia are famous.
If we engroup its advantages and disadvantages, the social society, charity, learning, and general order and decorum of Philadelphia, there are perhaps few places in the world more eligible for the residence of the man of leisure, literature, opulence, and refinement.
See IN1case's Picture of Philadelfihia, Wilson's edition, and the Reports and Minutes of the various Societies.