Second Charter. 59 



We have long and fully resolved with Ourself to 

 extend not only the boundaries of the Empire, but also 

 the very arts and sciences. Therefore we look with 

 favour upon all forms of learning, but with particular 

 grace we encourage philosophical studies, especially those 

 which by actual experiments attempt either to shape out a 

 new philosophy or to perfect the old. In order, therefore, 

 that such studies, which have not hitherto been suffi- 

 ciently brilliant in any part of the world, may shine 

 conspicuously amongst our people, and that at length tho 

 whole world of letters may always recognise us not only 

 as the Defender of the Faith, but also as the universal lover 

 and patron of every kind of truth : 



Know ye that we, of our special grace and of our 

 certain knowledge and mere motion, have ordained, 

 established, and granted, and by these presents for us, our 

 heirs, and successors do ordain, establish, and grant, that incorporation 

 henceforth for ever there shall be a Society consisting of x! im e? lp( 

 a President, Council, and Fellows, who shall be called 

 and named The President, Council, and Fellows of the 

 Royal Society of London for promoting Natural Know- 

 ledge (of Avhich same Society we by these presents declare 

 Ourself Founder and Patron); And by these presents The King himself 

 for us, our heirs, and successors we do make, ordain, create, patron. 

 and constitute the same Society, by the name of The Presi- 

 dent, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society of London 

 for promoting Natural Knowledge, one body corporate 

 and politic, in fact, deed, and name, really and fully, and 

 that by the same name they may have perpetual succes- 

 sion ; And that they and their successors (whose studies 

 are to be applied to further promoting by the authority of 

 experiments the sciences of natural things and of useful 

 arts, to the glory of God the Creator, and the advantage 

 of the human race), by the same name of The President, 

 Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society of London for 

 promoting Natural Knowledge, may and shall be in all 

 future times persons able and capable in law to have, capacity to pur- 

 acquire, receive, and possess lands [and] tenements, mea- c 

 dows, feedings, pastures, liberties, privileges, franchises, 

 jurisdictions, and hereditaments whatsoever to them and 

 their successors in fee and perpetuity, or for term of 

 life, lives, or years, or otherwise in whatsoever manner, 

 and also goods and chattels, and all other things, of what- 

 soever kind, nature, sort, or quality they may be (the 

 Statute concerning alienation in mortmain notwithstaiid- 



