THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 
185 
fluential member of our local parliament does not take the matter 
up seriously; but I am much afraid that, judging from the hubbub 
which often greets any reference to the Free Library, such a proposal 
there would encounter an ignorant but serious opposition. Still the 
delay will be only for a time. The importance of local Museums is 
slowly, but at the same time very surely, impressing itself upon the 
public mind ; and I do not despair that by-and-by some little light 
will dawn in this direction even upon the town of Plymouth. 
I am not altogether sure that grants for the advancement of 
Science and Art from the Imperial Exchequer should be made to 
London, Dublin, and Edinburgh only. The attention of Govern- 
ment was drawn to this in 1877, and although Lord Sandon's reply 
was not perhaps satisfactory, yet he made a good point by showing 
that really the provinces were benefited also by these grants, as 
numerous articles from South Kensington of the greatest value 
were sent out from time to time. But for a great country like 
ours, the whole grant (and it includes not only the maintenance of 
Museums and Art Galleries, but also parks) is contemptible. Not, 
I suppose, altogether, half the cost of an iron-clad ; and if it is a 
question between these and a ship of war, I think I know which is 
likely to be the most beneficial in the long-run. 
It seems to me that there is just now an opportunity presented, 
such as may not occur at a future time, for providing a Museum in 
this town. Speaking for myself, and for some other members, but 
not committing the Society in any way, I think I may venture to 
say that if any properly-devised scheme for the erection of such 
buildings as I have referred to, with a certainty of their erection 
within a reasonable time, was brought forward, the land surround- 
ing the Athena3iim would upon certain, but not burdensome, 
conditions be available for the purpose. With the land provided and 
the aid afforded by Government, the amount required to be raised 
would be comparatively small.* Only let the matter be taken up 
seriously, earnestly. Such a place will pay itself a thousand times 
over ; not perhaps in material wealth, although it may even exer- 
cise a power in that direction, but in increased intellectual wealth, 
in the education it would afford indirectly, in the more direct 
advantages it would give the seeker after truth, and the aid it 
would furnish to the student. 
* Although saying this, personally I should prefer a very much larger site 
if it could be obtained. 
