when he has surmounted the highest point he could see from the 

 valley, still finds other heights towering far above so I see less 

 chance than ever of being freed from my labours. Or rather, and 

 more truly, let me say, I see more hope than ever, that so long as it 

 may please God to use my services, there will be palpably more and 

 more to be done. 



The work of establishing Reformatories through the length and 

 breadth of the land is indeed finished. Nay, more ! Not only is the 

 tree planted, but the fruit is ripening The numbers of boys con- 

 victed throughout England is greatly diminished. But if wo take 

 the particular towns where they have been able to send to Refor- 

 matories every boy on a second conviction, the decrease is large 

 indeed. I have now little doubt that, with our present Reformatories, 

 we can not only keep all England, except London, clear of regular 

 boy- thieves ; but that ere next Christmas we can commence taking 

 the worst of those of London, and if so, I have little doubt that we 

 can produce a strong impression, in three years, even on the crime 

 of the Metropolis. But then comes the great and important question 

 of doing the same for adults. Forgive me, my dear friends, that I 

 have been so long talking of my own shop matters. I meant merely 

 to have explained why my time was more than heretofore occupied 

 by other pursuits, and my pen has run away with me. 



To return. I have long felt that I was unsuited for the office of 

 your President. I now feel happy to think that you may, if you 

 please, place that office in the hands of one who both by rank and 

 position, still more by high attainments and knowledge not only of 

 one, but of many branches of that glorious study which we meet to 

 cultivate will do honour to your choice. 



And now, my friends, I bid you not farewell, for I trust that 

 my attendance at your meetings will not be more rare, and certainly 

 my interest in the Club will not be diminished, but I beg you to 

 let me resign the office of your President, only that it may pass into 

 hands which will carry out more worthily and fitly (than I was ever 

 able to do) the true objects of the Cotteswold Club. 



