PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 131 



intelligence and industry; — aiding Philanthrophy in the reclaim- 

 ation of barbarism, and in the diffusion of the blessings of Re- 

 ligious and Philosophic truth. We are also totally dependant on 

 this science for our standard, in the measurement of time ; as 

 imperfection is impressed on all our mechanical efforts, our most 

 perfect time keepers must be brought to the test of the celestial 

 motions, and consequently without the corrections of Astronomy, 

 uncertainty would attend our engagements, and a considerable 

 expense of, that invaluable article, time would be incurred, from 

 the want of its correct appropriation. Of the value of the science 

 to the Agriculturist, the almanack or calendar is the proof, as he is 

 thereby prepared to meet the approach of the seasons, and make 

 his arrangements with a certainty unattainable, without a more 

 correct division of the year, than would be the result of a depend- 

 ance on a cursory and unscientfic view of the heavens. If, then,' 

 ^this province in the empire of science is entitled to such a rank ; 

 and if it place human intellect on such a pinnacle of honor, I feel 

 myself justified, in the conclusion that the present effort to interest 

 this assembly in its favor cannot but be independant of the person 

 on whom its introduction devolves. 



July 17th. — Mr. H. Woollcombe's Lecture on Ancient and 

 Modern Travelling in Devonshire. 



We have, elsewhere, given an extract from this very interesting 

 lecture, in the present number; and refer our readers ro page 37 

 of the third volume for an abstract ; it having been read to the 

 Society during the last winter session. , 



* July 24th. — M. Luce's Lecture on the Different Systems 

 adopted in acquiring the French Language. 



On this evening Mr. Luce delivered a lecture on the various 

 methods adopted in acquiring the French language. 



In the commencement of his paper the lecturer insisted on the 

 advantage of studying the modern languages, showing the benefit 

 which would thereby be conferred on students of the liberal pro- 

 fessions. He attributed the universality of the French language 

 to the richness of its literature; to its clearness and precision and 

 also to the part which the French have played in the political 

 events of modern times. 



He considered that a young man of 22 or 23 years of age, 

 having a love for languages and possessing good abilities, together 

 with a knowledge of the dead languages might in a few months 



