212 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
The Society has pursued a somewhat chequered course since 1812, 
but its claims as an important local Society have always been recog- 
nized ; and even when its numbers have been reduced and its finances 
crippled, it has never done anything to forfeit the good opinion of 
its friends and neighbours. If good work in the past can be looked 
back upon, let us resolve that the work before us shall be also well 
done. From the very position the Institution occupies, responsi- 
bilities are entailed upon those who are charged with the duty of 
carrying it on. In the commencement of this address I indicated 
an organization which the town and its inhabitants sorely stand in 
need of. We have made one attempt ; can we not once more try 
again to do something in this direction % We can but make the effort. 
If the apathy or something worse, of those who ought to assist 
again baffle us, still the attempt will have been made, and we can 
but fail. But, on the other hand, if we succeed great will be our 
reward. 
