xlvi TRANSACTIONS OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
The Curator of Fine Arts (Mr. Philip Mitchell, r.i.) reported 
that the past year had been marked by the acquisition of two im- 
portant pictures for the Art Gallery. One, the portrait of an old 
and esteemed member of the Institution, Dr. J. NT. Hearder, was 
presented by his son, Mr. W. Hearder. The other, a large and 
masterly work, given by Admiral Beechey, was painted by the 
generous donor himself. He is a Member of the Koyal Hibernian 
Academy, and a frequent exhibitor at the Eoyal Academy. The 
picture represents the attack of Sir F. Drake on the Spanish 
Armada. 
"Two of the pictures in the Gallery, portraits of Drake and 
Ralegh, were asked for, as a loan, by the Drake Tercentenary 
Committee. They were lent, and duly returned in good order. 
"The frames of several of the pictures are much in want of 
repair, particularly that of a portrait of Sir W. S. Harris, from 
which large pieces are falling ; it should be at once put into the 
gilder's hands." 
The Curator then refers to proposals which have been made 
for the return of the Turner pictures now in the Art Gallery, a 
matter which is under the consideration of the Council. He says 
that he should deeply lament their removal, " as there is no other 
hall in the town where they can be placed. Though they may 
not be appreciated by the public, or all the members of this 
Institution, they are invaluable to the true students of art ; they 
are intensely interesting examples of his work, as showing the 
dawning and the climax of the power of the greatest landscape 
painter this world has ever seen. 
" The annual exhibition of the Plymouth Art Club was held in 
this Hall in August. The pictures were fewer in number, but of 
a much higher quality than usual. From the deficiency discovered 
at the close — the reasons for which are well known — it was found 
necessary to hold a supplementary exhibition. The results of this 
were so satisfactory, that we not only made good our losses, but 
were enabled to present the Institution with a donation of £7 as 
a mark of gratitude for the loan of the Hall. 
u The annual conversazione, at the beginning of the winter 
session, was held whilst the pictures were still on the walls ; and 
these, in addition to some good music, gave unqualified pleasure 
to a large company of the members and their friends." 
