THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF OLD PLYMOUTH. 359 
too long, and what I have left unsaid may perhaps furnish material 
for another. 
And now a last few words to remind you how much Plymouth 
lost hy the dissolution of the religious houses. TVe find no com- 
plaints whatever against the religious connected with them ; yet the 
churches and "buildings were ruthlessly swept away. Plymouth, 
which had four churches, was left uith one only, no honest, earnest 
endeavour, so far as we know, having been made to preserve either 
of the others, although the population was certainly not less than 
before. 
Do not misunderstand me. I am not saying one word, nor do 
I wish to say one word, against the reformation of religion ; a 
reformation urgently needed, however much we may disapprove of 
the way in which it was carried out. But this is a very different 
matter from the shameless robbeiy that took place. Nbf robbery 
from the monks and friars (for they might be considered only as 
trustees, however abominably they were treated in manv cases), 
but robbery from the people, for they were the sufferers. The 
proceeds arising from the sale of monasteries and other property 
went, not for public purposes, but mainly for the enrichment of 
individuals, and the personal aggrandisement of the King and his 
courtiers. 
I recollect very well it being said in this hall by one whom we 
are all delighted to hear, that he had never seen, and never would 
go near the ruins of an abbey or monastery, and that his heart was 
filled with sorrow when he reflected on what England had lost by 
the destruction of the religious houses. The evidence that is now 
forthcoming throws a much clearer light upon the events that then 
took place. 
It cannot be denied that the monastic system had had its day, 
and had ceased to fulfil its mission. The time for reformation had 
come; but slaughter, pillage, rapacity, and wanton destruction, 
were no remedies for sin, weakness, or failing. 
" Such things were not of the spirit of reformation." 
