THE SOUTH DEVON 



MONTHLY MUSEUM. 



PLYMOUTH, JULY 1st, 1835. 

 No. 31.] Price Sixpence. [Vol. VI. 



THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 



Our Engraving this month presents a north view 

 of the Plymouth Institution ; for the drawing from 

 which it was taken we are indebted to Mr. G. T. 

 Page, architect, of Plymouth. 



This society owes its formation to the laudable 

 endeavours of Henry WooUcombe, esq., who had 

 long contemplated the beneficial effects resulting 

 from societies composed of persons of various pur- 

 suits, but wht)se common object was the cultivation 

 of useful knowledge. That highly respected indi- 

 vidual being joined by several other gentlemen, who 

 were inclined cordially to co-operate in the under- 

 taking, the society was first originated in the year 

 1812. Its meetings were then held in the Public 

 Library, whence they were removed to the Picture 

 Gallery, in Frankfort Place. The accommodations 

 afforded by this apartment, being found too limi- 

 ted for the increased numbers and importance of 

 the society, it was determined to erect a building, 

 exclusively appropriated to the purposes of the insti- 

 tution ; — to raise a temple where the Penates of 

 Learning and Science might be securely deposited. 



A spot of ground, adjoining the Theatre, having 

 been previously selected for the purpose, the founda- 

 tion-stone of the building was laid, in the presence 

 of the members, by H. Woollcombe, esq., senior 

 president ibr the year, on the first of May, 1818. 



VOL. VI.— 1835, A 



