24 
JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
portraits we have on our walls. We still remember Rooker's tales 
of Drake and Raleigh, of Hawkins, of Frobisher, and others. We 
think of their achievements, find it difficult to believe in the small- 
ness of their ships and their means, and perchance take courage 
for other undertakings ; but if we now indulge in an hour's walk 
around the splendid Docks that are already completed, or are being 
constructed, that cover the inlet of the sea between the old Long 
Room Barracks and the old Rusty Anchor (both now obsolete), we 
should do but justice to their memory and reflect honour on our 
Institution, to remember that this grand undertaking was initiated 
and carried out to a very considerable extent by Mr. Rendel, sup- 
ported and directed by another of our old members, Mr. Thomas 
Gill, who for many years ably represented this town in Parliament. 
Taking up Brendon's October Time Tables, I find that from this 
port are appointed to sail no less than fourteen fine ships, mostly 
steam, for Australia, New Zealand, South America, the Cape of 
Good Hope, the West Indies, the United States ; and many others 
to France, Germany, and other ports on the Continent ; to say 
nothing of the many fine steamships that coastwise run to Ireland, 
Liverpool, Glasgow, London, Hull, &c. And then on the list of 
arrivals we find just the same number (thirteen) expected from 
Australia, New Zealand, Southern Africa, South America, Demerara, 
the West Indies, Chili and Peru, from the Northern States, and 
California, whose arrivals may be predicted to the hour, almost to 
the minute. These lists explain the existence of the Docks in 
their present condition, and the very active preparations going on 
in them and in the vicinity for the further extension of commercial 
operations. The founder of the Great Western Docks, Mr. T. Gill, 
was for a considerable time the chairman of the Plymouth New 
Zealand Company, which largely contributed to the successful 
establishment of one of the most flourishing of the British 
colonies. 
These great ships — those wonderful floating palaces in which 
persons of very moderate means may continue travelling with 
home comforts about them, and enjoyments that could not be 
obtained for love or money by the richest of our early members 
even on terra fir ma — whose movements, spite of winds and waves, 
are almost as punctual as the clock (will you be surprised if I 
tell you]) were originated to a great extent by one of our early 
members, who, I believe, is still living, although not amongst us : 
