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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. 



" 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 con- 

 gratulations on the happy occasion of Your Royal Highness' s mar- 

 riage with Her Majesty, the Queen of these realms ; an event which, 

 from the known virtues and high endow^ments of Your Royal High- 

 ness, 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 be- 

 holding 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 im- 

 portance to mankind of those pursuits to which the Royal Society 

 has directed its constant attention. 



" That Your Royal Highness may, under the blessing of Provi- 

 dence, 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." 



