372 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
zealous defender of the principles of the Church of England, an 
honest and painstaking author and antiquary, to those who lived 
around him a pit of learning very deep. One cannot help being 
attracted by the simplicity and kindliness of heart, the good sense, 
and the strong local patriotism, that are displayed in nearly every 
life he recounts; and I cannot but feel how imperfect is the sketch 
I have ventured to place before you of this worthy man, whose 
works being considered only local must be the reason that he is 
unnoticed by any of our English biographies. 
Mr. King, in his sketch of Devonshire in the Quarterly Review 
for April, 1859, reprinted in his Sketches and Studies, says: ‘ It 
is scarcely possible to imagine a more delightful volume than might 
be made of Prince’s ‘ Worthies,’ with the additions to be gained by 
modern research, and with illustrations from good portraits, personal 
relics, ancient manor-houses, and sepulchral monuments ;’’ and this 
I would heartily endorse, and express the hope that ere long some 
competent person may undertake the task—some man who, like 
Prince, is to public good inclined. Should such a one be found, he 
will, I am sure, give old John Prince a foremost place, and so fulfil 
the wish of his friend John Legassick, rector of the neighbouring 
parish of Littlehempston, who, writing of the Worthies, said : 
«‘ Ages to come, when this your work they see, 
And therein read your care and industry, 
Will doubtless in requital something do, 
Which may repay the kindness done by you. 
But vain these hopes, unless they also find 
Men like yourself to public good inclin’d, 
Who, being led to imitate your pen, 
May the same way oblige the world again— 
Recount the doings of the sons of fame, 
And ’mongst the foremost place your worthy name.” 
If there be one feeling more than another which should strike a 
Devonian as he reads of the ‘‘ Worthies”’ of his county in past ages, 
it should be, I think, a feeling of pride that he is a Devonian, and 
that not only can his county boast of heroes and worthies in the past, 
but can to-day point to a Coleridge on the bench and a Stafford North- 
cote Chancellor of the Exchequer and Leader of the House of Com- 
mons—enough to show that Devon’s sons still hold their own. You 
will all, I hope, join in Prince’s own hearty prayer, ‘‘that God would 
be pleased daily to increase the number of Devon’s ‘ Worthies,’ and 
raise up some one to celebrate their memories worth their praise 
and just renown.” 
