108 THE ROYAL SOCIETY 



who have been Fellows of the Society ; and we are mindful that it was the 

 extensive progress of Astronomy made in Great Britain under the encourage- 

 ment of the Royal Society, which led to the formation of the Royal Astro- 

 nomical Society. We are confident that the Royal Society will in the future, 

 as in the past, continue to exercise the same fostering and effective influence 

 upon the progress and development of all branches of Natural Knowledge. 



F. W. DYSON, President. 

 ARTHUR R. HINKS, Secretary. 

 June 14, 1912. 



ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, LONDON 



To THK PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY, FROM THE PRESIDENT 

 AND COUNCIL OF THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. Gentlemen, On behalf 

 of the Council of the Royal Geographical Society, and as representing the 

 Fellows, I desire to convey to you our warmest congratulations on the occasion 

 of the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the foundation of your Society. 

 It would be superfluous for me to point out the claims which the Royal 

 Society possesses upon the admiration and gratitude of all who have the 

 interests of scientific progress at heart. Through long years it was the only- 

 Institution in this country devoted to the encouragement and publication of the 

 results of scientific research on purely disinterested lines, and without any hope 

 of reward, except the satisfaction which follows the successful search for truth. 

 The most illustrious names in all departments of Science have been connected 

 with the Royal Society from its foundation. From the very first every serious 

 research into any of the many aspects of the universe was welcomed by the 

 Society, and the results were impartially considered. In time, and largely due 

 to the action of the Royal Society, this work of scientific research became so 

 multifarious that other Societies grew up alongside the parent Society, and 

 co-operated in the common object of seeking after the truth, and attempting 

 to interpret the phenomena of the universe. In past generations the subject 

 with which the Society is directly concerned had its fair share of attention at 

 the hands of the Royal Society, many of whose Fellows were specialists in 

 Geography ; and the influence and example of the Royal Society have not been 

 without their effect in inducing British geographers to apply scientific methods 

 in an ever increasing degree to their own department of research. In 

 pursuing its work the Royal Society has rendered eminent services to the 

 Empire and to the world, and we confidently hope that in the future it will 

 continue to occupy the commanding position in Science which it has attained 

 in the past. On behalf of the Council and Fellows of the Royal Geographical 

 Society, I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, 



CURZON OF KEDLESTON, President R.G.S. 



