Addresses from Sister Societies 221 



Franklin and his small band of American Philosophers 

 been permitted to find undisturbed satisfaction in the 

 affairs of the mind, the rise and rapid advance of 

 American Science might have been antedated by a 

 century. 



When the silken chain of connexion with the mother 

 country had become hopelessly broken, it was the care 

 of Franklin to foster in the new community those in- 

 tellectual institutions in which he had detected a potent 

 source of progress and welfare in the older land. The 

 Royal Society are glad to recognize in the Statutes and 

 Regulations which were framed for the American Philo- 

 sophical Society during the long period of the Presi- 

 dency of Benjamin Franklin a close affinity to their 

 own ancient Statutes. 



By reason of these weighty historical associations the 

 Royal Society take pleasure in offering their felicita- 

 tions to one of their daughter Societies on the occasion 

 of the bicentenary of an illustrious man whose fame 

 they inherit in common. 



Signed and sealed on behalf of the Royal Society 

 for Promoting Natural Knowledge. 

 (Seal) Rayleigh, 



President. 

 March 15, 1906. 



