86 
JOUKNAL OF THE PLYMOUTn INSTITUTION. 
address from this chair on the origin and progress of this institution, 
when he sketched its history from its birth. It derived its origin 
from the intellectual activity of the men of this town. Fifty- 
eight years have sufficed to sweep away the active intellects which 
were the founders of this institution, but the abstract intellectual 
activity remains, strengthened by time, nourished by culture, and 
progressing with a growth which, in comparison with the past, is 
rapid and vigorous. 
The force therefore which called this institution into existence 
continues, and is cumulative. The conditions under which it had 
its orgin remain. The agency which has given it fifty-eight years 
of vitality is still active, and the future will demand a full develop- 
ment of all the qualities which constitute its power to succeed in 
the struggle for life. 
It seems to me that there is a true analogy between the life of 
our institutions, whatever they may be, and the existence of an 
animal type or species. Institutions, whether they be political, 
scientific, or otherwise, owe their origin to circumstances, which 
may be compared to the circumstances from which an animal type 
may result. Those circumstances failing, disappearing, the animal 
type disappears, and we may safely predict that institutions such 
as this would disappear, and will disappear, if the circumstances 
that constitute their vital power do not continue in operation ; and 
that they will languish if those conditions lose a particle of their 
energy. 
I have said that this institution derived its origin from the intel- 
lectual activity of this town. According to my argument by 
analogy, the intellectual activity of Plymouth having in the first 
place summoned this institution into existence, having for fifty- 
eight years nourished it and enabled it to succeed in a world of 
universal competition, in a world in which competition seems to be 
an overpowering social law, it would follow that if our intellectual 
activity continue this institution will flourish ; and conversely, if 
our intellectual activity subside this institution will be on the 
wane. Is the condition of this institution therefore an indication of 
the intellectual progress of Plymouth? Are we, the members 
now composing this institution, entitled to say that we contain 
within ourselves the measure of the intellect of Plymouth ? 
Placed in this chair as your President, to which office you have 
paid me the high compliment of electing me, I wish to address you 
