(Material researched & presented by Barbara Armstrong)

Reproduced from Australasian Journal of Pharmacy, 1890

It is in accord with the necessities of humanity and with the educational upraising of the professors of the galenical art, that the progressive development of chemistry and pharmacy, having the alleviation of human suffering and the promotion of bodily comfort for their purpose, should show a very notable and even astonishing advance upon old-times means and methods. And with the advance in knowledge of the properties of drugs and chemicals, and with improved appliances for their preparation, those entrusted with their manufacture and distribution have kept well with the times in providing premises specially adapted for producing and displaying them in an efficacious and attractive manner. In darkness and mystery the ancient pharmacist delighted to envelop himself; in an elegantly appointed mansion does his nineteenth century brother delight. Highly amusing and instructive is a contemplation of a representation of a pharmacy of olden days – such as was shown in the recent Paris Exhibition, and a capital sketch of which is published in a recent issue of one of the U.S. pharmaceutical journals – where the venerable dispenser of herbs and simples is discovered shrouded in gloom, somberly attired, and surrounded by stuffed batrachians, the symbols of mortality, and other ominous objects, in those days considered essential to mark the dignity of the custodian of a knowledge professed by few and very scantily possessed.

And a more striking contrast could scarcely be chosen than such a scene as we have referred to, and the premises which Mr. Charles Pleasance, of Messrs. Martin and Pleasance, homœopathic chemists, has just erected in Collins-street, wherein enterprise and taste have been happily combined in the production of an additional marvel of “Marvellous Melbourne.” The colossal building, the façade of which is shown in our first illustration, occupies a frontage of 45 feet to Collins-street, by a depth of over 90ft., and numbers five stories, and spacious basements. The front elevation is in the modern Renaissance style, relieved with Ionic pilasters and pediments. The walls and panels are faced with glazed tiles, in excellent harmony with the brown freestone tint of the other portion of the front, and gives to the whole a most handsome and unique appearance which at once claims the attention and charms the eye.

Firstly, referring to that portion of the premises devoted to the business of Messrs. Martin and Pleasance, the public room is found, of lofty and handsome proportions, measuring 40 feet x 18 feet, and which, clear of counter and shelving, gives a floor space of 24 feet x 13 ½ feet. The floor is inlaid with Minton’s glazed tiles of very elegant design, while the plaster of paris cornices of the ceiling are unusually massive, in accord with the spacious dimensions of the apartment. And when we say that, continued as an arcade of three lofty arches, the dispensaries join with the public room to a total depth of 90 feet, the capaciousness of the premises will be comprehended. The walls are covered to a height of 10 feet with wall and book cases, carried out in the classic style of architecture, surmounted with a well-proportioned cornice, the frieze of which is handsomely panelled with mirrored embossed plate-glass. Between each pair of doors is a handsome fluted, cinctured column, with a carved capital, above which the cornice is broken, giving the whole a very rich appearance. The wall case is in two tiers. The spaces between the lower door are filled by fluted and moulded pilasters,

and the southern end of the case is rounded to the wall and panelled with clear bent plate-glass, the firm’s monogram being worked in the bent glass of the frieze. Beneath the book-case on the east side of the shop is a noble nest of 142 drawers, with ebonised knobs, mirrored on the face. On the right hand side of shop, and in a line with the counter, is a two-tier perfumery case, behind which is the private office, fitted with writing table and book-shelves, and closed with a sliding door. The counter is divided into four compartments by five handsomely carved trusses, the panels being of mirrored beveled-edged plate-glass, handsomely embossed with the monogram of the firm in a circle, and beautifully moulded. There are two counter cases of white metal, the intermediate space being filled with a panelled screen, the back of which is fitted up with paper trays and etceteras for the counter assistants.  The cross counter, or dispensing screen, is broken in the centre by a sponge case, so constructed as to form part of the counter, and is surmounted by two perfumery cases, with a lofty beveled-edged mirror between and a white marble slab. The dispensing counter is fitted with plug-basin, label drawers, and flanked by bottle cupboards with sliding doors, the shelves above, which carry the shop bottles, all being fitted with spring roller blinds to enclose them at night. The whole of the internal fixtures were designed and carried out by Mr. John A. Robinson, of Lavidge-street, Hawthorn, solid American walnut only being used in all the fronts, while the internal portions are of well-seasoned clear pine. The brass fittings are nickel-plated. Generally, and in detail, it is to be said that the appointments of the public room are of a luxurious character, and, indeed, everything bespeaks expenditure lavish and tasteful; and here is found, stocked in elegant glassware, a perfect assortment of homœopathic medicines, chests, books, and the et cetera of a well-appointed pharmacy.

Passing from the public room through arches, handsomely ornamented with plaster work, the dispensary is visited.

This also is a fine room, lighted by a decorated sunlight so effectively as to facilitate work and reduce the danger of misadventure to a minimum. Connected with this chamber, also approached through ornamental arches, is another dispensary and laboratory, both rooms being supplied with hot and cold water, and amply provided with the means for expeditiously performing the various functions of those employed. In the back wall is a fine window of coloured and ornamental glass, which is plainly discernible from the main entrance, and greatly adds to the effect of the ensemble. And it may be generally said that everything necessary for the conduct of a large business is to be found here in plentitude, each in its place, and convenient of access.

Returning to the front, the window is found to be also handsomely appointed; the floor being tastefully carpeted, the shelving of glass sustained by nickel-silver pillars, the gas brackets of crystal, and is screened from the public room by carved woodwork and diaper and other ornamental glass. The window is divided into three large panes, the upper portion being filled in by ecclesiastical glass.

The western basement conveniently communicates by an ornamental iron stairway with the dispensaries, and is divided into two rooms, the first, 30 feet x 28 feet, being wholly devoted to the cleansing, filling, and labeling of bottles, while the other, measuring 60 feet x 18 feet, is given over to tincture making and the storage of dry drugs. The eastern basement is wholly used as storerooms for goods, and the thousands of bottles, boxes, etc., here contained emphatically indicate the vast extent of the firm’s operations.

Both basements are lighted from back and front by patent prismatic lights, which, by a most ingenious arrangement of mirror reflectors, not merely obviate the necessity of providing artificial light, but appear to place persons within the rooms upon a level with the street. Thus passers-by are plainly discernible, and it is not easy to persuade the observer of this novel effect that he is far below the travellers and conveyances he so plainly descries, and that were it not for the mirrors he would be completely in the dark as to his surroundings and as to what was passing overhead. By the means described an ample flood of daylight is borne to the centre of the basement from either end, so that gas, the bete noir or the workroom, is rendered unnecessary. This arrangement is the invention of Mr. White, the architect of the building, and is only adapted to one other building in the city.

An hydraulic lift makes easy the conveyance of goods between the basement and the laboratories. All the departments are connected by speaking tubes and electric bells, and telephonic communication is established with the leading homœopathic medicals in the city and suburbs.

The western portion of the ground-floor has been leased to and fitted for the Union Building society, the appointments here being upon the same liberal scale as is noticeable in that part of the premises reserved for the proprietor’s special purposes. The first and succeeding floors are approached either through a wide, handsome hall, which separates the eastern and western portions of the building, and thence by a staircase, or by a Waygood elevator conveniently situated. The first floor is divided into five suites of consulting rooms, which have been secured by various medical practitioners, and are admirably adapted for such purposes. The Naval and Military Club have located themselves on the next story, and have been bountifully provided for with a spacious hall, extending the full frontage, divided by folding doors, canteen, billiard room, etc. On the third floor the offices, etc., of the rifle Association are located, the front room being a magnificent apartment, measuring forty-five feet by forty feet, and of proportionate height. The picture gallery and workshops of Mr. Isaac Whitehead are on the topmost flat, as also are apartments reserved for Martin and Pleasance’s assistants, two of whom sleep on the premises, and whose quarters are readily communicated with from the laboratories or the street by means of electric bells.

But it should be said that the enterprise of Mr. Pleasance is indicated not merely by a general survey of these magnificent premises, nor by a description of small details, but in an examination of the whole. To use a popular expression, the idea at once conveyed to an observer is that the building has been erected by one who “has come to stay.” Everything is substantial, and nothing has been omitted calculated to promote the comfort and convenience, of occupants.

By a sacrifice of space of the centre of the block, facility has been given for lighting the various apartments of the floors which surround it. Electric bells, speaking tubes, fire indicators, stand pipes and hoses connected with high-pressure hydraulic mains, etc., and the many necessities and convenience of modern city life are to be found throughout the building; and in the alternating different-coloured woods of the staircase lining, as in a hundred other details, there is abundant evidence of enterprise, liberality, and cultured taste.

Established in 1860, the firm, under various names, has long been among Melbourne’s identities. At first confined to a room 12 feet square, additions have from time to time been made until the original building could no longer answer the demands made upon it. The business of the firm now extends over all the colonies, and includes between 500 and 600 agencies.

The building has been designed by Messrs. F. M. White and Son, architects, of Queen-street, Mr. David Mitchell being the contractor. The total cost is estimated to exceed £15,000; and when we add that the land alone is valued at over  £40,000, the reader will comprehend the extend of Mr. Pleasance’s enterprise, and, if he know that gentleman, will join with us in wishing him every success.

©   Barbara Armstrong      

       www.historyofhomeopathy.au