Page:Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Vol 4.djvu/230

Rh nearly two centuries, has exerted itself to extend the boundaries of scientific knowledge, and of those arts which augment the power and ameliorate the condition of the human race : objects to which Your Majesty, following the steps of Your Illustrious Predecessors, has already been graciously pleased to extend Your Royal patronage and encouragement.

" That Your Majesty's reign may be long, happy, and glorious, and that it may be especially distinguished in the annals of history as the pacific era in which the greatest advances were made in Science, Literature, and the useful Arts, and in which the deep foundations of prosperity to this great empire, and of improvement in the condition of mankind, were consolidated, is the earnest wish and fervent prayer of the President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society of London."

The President also stated to the Meeting, that the Council had adopted the following Address of Congratulation to His Royal Highness Prince Albert, of Saxe Coburg and Gotha.

" The humble Address of the President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society of London for improving Natural Knowledge.

" May it please Your Royal Highness, " We, the President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society of London for improving Natural Knowledge, beg leave humbly to present to Your Royal Highness our sincere and most cordial congratulations on the happy occasion of Your Royal Highness' s marriage with Her Majesty, the Queen of these realms ; an event which, from the known virtues and high endowments of Your Royal Highness, we confidently anticipate will prove the abundant source of domestic happiness to Her Majesty and to Your Royal Highness, as well as of important advantage to the interests of this great and united empire.

" The Royal Society, more especially, has reason to rejoice in beholding the exalted station now occupied by Your Royal Highness, filled by an enlightened and liberal Prince early imbued with the principles of virtue and religion, and whose mind, already expanded, invigorated, and refined by the assiduous cultivation of literature, science, and philosophy, is qualified justly to appreciate the importance to mankind of those pursuits to which the Royal Society has directed its constant attention.

" That Your Royal Highness may, under the blessing of Providence, long enjoy every happiness, is the ardent wish and prayer of Your Royal Highness's humble and devoted servants, the President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society of London."