CHARTER OF THE ACADEMIE ROYALE UE BELGIQUE. 351 



distinctions and prerogatives attaching to the rank of nobility in 

 person, and this by virtue of the act of their admission into this Com- 

 pany. It is Our wish that the Registration of these Presents, so far as 

 occasion demands, shall be made free of charge, where and whenever 

 may be pertinent. We charge his Royal Highness the Duke Charles 

 Alexander of Lorraine and of Bar, our trusty and well beloved Brother- 

 in-Law and Cousin, Administrator of the Grand Mastery in Prussia, 

 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order in Germany and Italy, Our 

 Lieutenant Governor and Captain General of the Low Countries 

 and We likewise command all Our Councillors, Justices, Officers and 

 Subjects hereby involved or affected, as also the Kings and Heralds of 

 Arms in Our Belgian Provinces, that they shall cause, and fully and 

 freely permit Our said Academy of Sciences and Letters, as well as all 

 the members of the same, to secure and enjoy all the Privileges, 

 Prerogatives and Distinctions which it has pleased Us to attach there- 

 unto, and to the full extent of these Presents, in cessation of all let or 

 hindrance to the contrary; for so it pleaseth us. In testimony 

 whereof We have signed and We have attached hereto Our Great Seal. 



Handed down at Vienna, the 16th. December of the year of Grace, 

 one thousand seven hundred and seventy two, and of Our reign the 

 Thirty Third. 



K. R. Vi s 

 (signed) MARIA THERESE. 



By the Dowager Empress and Queen 



(signed) A. Go. Lederer 



Letters Patent of the Founding of the 

 Imperial And Royal Academy of 

 Sciences and Letters at Bruxelles. 



