374 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
and in a position which his followers believe unassailable, and 
which his opponents find it daily more difficult to attack. As 
recently pointed out, like geology, and the antiquity of man, ‘the 
whole question has been now lifted out of the domains of theology, 
and become mere matter for scientific proof,”.and time in this, as 
in other things, has worked wonders. 
Secondly, I wished to refer again to the question of a Museum. 
Except by our own Society and by individuals, no notice has been 
taken of the remarks I made in my last year’s address, and the 
importance of the subject as regards the welfare of our fellow- 
townsmen I thought would warrant me in again urging the 
necessity of taking some immediate steps to provide what is so 
much required. I do not see the slightest chance of anything 
being done by the town at large, and whatever is done the 
initiative will have to be taken by a Society such as ours. Some 
effort ought to be made by the few to provide what the many will 
profit by ; and if a museum on a large scale cannot be undertaken, 
the best substitute attainable must suffice until public action is 
aroused in this direction, and a building on a scale commensurate 
with the size and importance of the town is demanded. Failing 
anything better, the Committee appointed at the last Annual 
Meeting of the Society has carefully considered the best means of 
obtaining additional space for the display of our collections, and 
decided that a wing or annex on the western side of the 
Athenzum will be the easiest and least expensive plan. With the 
assistance of the curator of the building, Mr. Hine, plans have 
been prepared, and this scheme has been approved by the Council, 
and will be brought before the Members in due course. Assuming 
this building to be erected, I proposed pointing out how it might be 
made most useful and best arranged, not only as a local Museum 
(the primary want) on a small scale, but also as'a small typical 
Museum for reference and study. The proposed building will be 
a very useful one no doubt; but I regret that something more 
important cannot be undertaken. I trust, however, whatever 
plan may be eventually submitted to the Members and Associates, 
and through them to the public, that it may receive hearty support, 
and that the Council will be encouraged to persevere to a 
satisfactory conclusion in the effort which it considers of so much 
importance. Unfortunately the plan now suggested will not 
provide for a Picture Gallery, or a gallery for art exhibitions. I 
