HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY, 
579 
" To the King's Most Excellent Majesty. 
May it please your. Majesty, 
" We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Members of the 
Wernerian Natural History Society of Edinburgh, beg leave to approach the 
Throne with the warmest sentiments of congratulation on the happy event 
of your Majesty's condescending Visit to this part of the United Kingdom ; 
an event which will be recorded as forming a brilliant and memorable era in 
the Annals of Scotland. 
" Amongst the various descriptions of our Countrymen, who are now so 
eagerly pressing forward to testify their veneration and attachment to your 
Majesty, we, too, would humbly hope that the tribute of loyalty, gratitude, 
and affection, cordially presented by a Body of Men who have associated 
for the cultivation of one of the most beautiful and useful of the Sciences, 
will not be unacceptable to a Prince who, besides possessing the noblest 
qualifications of a Sovereign, is so eminently distinguished by his knowledge, 
taste, and personal accomplishments, and who is, we believe, himself an ad- 
mirer of our favourite study. It is, indeed, one of the greatest glories of 
your Majesty's Reign, that you have evinced an ardent desire to assist the 
progress of Science, Art, and Literature, in all their departments. 
" On this occasion, so important and auspicious to our Native Country, 
permit us, in common with all the other classes of your Majesty's faithful 
subjects in Scotland, to assure your Majesty, that we deeply feel the un- 
rivalled blessings which we enjoy under your Majesty's mild and paternal 
Government ; and that we reflect with pride and joy on the unparalleled 
lustre which has been shed on your Majesty's Reign, by the firmness of your 
character, the wisdom of your councils, and the vigour of your arms ; which, 
under Providence, have exalted our Country to the highest rank among the 
nations of Europe, and placed the security, the glory, and prosperity of the 
British Empire, on a basis never, we trust, to be moved. 
That Your Majesty may long be spared to fill the Throne which you so 
nobly adorn, to enjoy the affection of a People by whom you are so justly 
beloved and revered, and to cherish, as their munificent Patron, those 
Sciences and Arts which have so eminently contributed to the glory and 
prosperity of the Empire, is the earnest prayer of, 
May it please Your Majesty, 
" Your Majesty's most loyal and devoted Subjects, 
" The Members of the Wernerian Natural History Society 
of Edinburgh. 
" Signed in our name, and by our appointment, by 
BOBERT JAMESON, President." 
Edinburgh, ^ 
IWi August 1822. / 
