182 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION, 
we have a school for the acquisition and rehearsal of these accom- 
plishments, During nearly a third of a century I have had the 
honour of membership in our Institution, and have of course. had 
many opportunities of observing the satisfactory progress which 
individuals have made in the above-mentioned acquirements ; 
how they had advanced from the primitive state of timidity and 
stuttering to the perfection of easy assurance and ready eloquence. 
And closely allied to this independence of judgment and speech is 
the Englishman’s responsibility of opinion. Savages may be free 
in the sense of rough and irresponsible action and speech, but it is 
the perfection of our civilised habits to live in personal hberty 
toned by neighbourly responsibility. Well, here again I have, 
happily, another recommendation which appertains to the Plymouth 
Institution ; for we not only propose our own opinions on the 
most important subjects of Literature and Art and Science, but 
we submit them to the opinions and judgment of our brother 
members ; and we often enjoy the opportunity of correcting and 
modifying our own thoughts, and acquiring the precious lesson of 
modesty in the tenure of our principles. A word to the younger 
members of our society. During my long career here I have 
observed many vicissitudes in its fortunes; never perhaps has it 
stood in more hopeful prospects than now. We hand on to your 
care and zeal a valuable heirloom and I entreat you to guard it, 
and even improve it still. Let many among owr Associate Class 
determine to elevate themselves to the higher class of Lecturing 
Members. ‘This higher class requires replenishing; and whence 
can be supplied the recruits so well as from the cognate but junior 
class? Iam counselling you to this slight increase of service and 
devotion, not without some right and title to do so. This is my 
nine-and-twentieth lecture in the service of this institution. I 
have seldom, if ever, flinched when called on by the secretary to 
bear my burden in the annual duty of lecturing. If the duty has 
entailed labour, the labour has brought its own reward; the 
necessary research has added to one’s useful knowledge; the dis- 
cussions which have arisen have quickened the thinking powers 
and imparted accuracy and precision to the thoughts. And it is 
worth while to add that this mental exertion has not been unattended 
with moral results, in encouraging patience and moderation in the 
formation of our own opinions, and a courteous and kindly toleration 
of the convictions of others, whose intelligence at once entitles and 
enables them to question our sentiments, and to uphold their own. 
