3$oci((t!2. 
CHARTER AND BY-LAWS. 
CHARTER. 
Jllttorift, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great 
Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, To all to whom 
these Presents shall come Greeting : Whereas James Scott 
Bowerbank, Doctor of Laws, Fellow of the Royal Society ; Rev. 
Joseph Bancroft Reade, Master of Arts, Fellow of the Royal Society ; 
Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward, Fellow of the Royal Society ; and others 
of our loving subjects, did, in the year 1839, establish a Society by 
the name of “ The Microscopical Society of London,” for the 
advancement of Microscopical Science : 
And whereas it has been represented to us that the same Society 
has, since its establishment, sedulously pursued such its proposed 
object, by the researches of its members, and the collection and dis- 
cussion of observations, and by the publication of its transactions from 
time to time, which have contributed to the progress of Microscopical 
knowledge : 
And whereas distinguished individuals in foreign countries, as 
well as British subjects, have availed themselves of the facilities 
offered by the same Society for communicating important discoveries, 
greatly extending Microscopical knowledge ; and the great and 
general interest now felt in those branches of Science, whereof the 
Microscope is an important instrument of investigation, has been 
greatly promoted and fostered by this Society : 
And whereas the same Society has, in aid of its objects, acquired 
a considerable and important Library of Scientific Works, a large 
collection of Microscopic objects, and several valuable Microscopes, to 
which fresh accessions are constantly being made ; and the said 
Society has hitherto been supported by donations and annual and 
other subscriptions and contributions to its funds, and has therefrom 
purchased and is possessed of a considerable amount of stock in the 
public funds . 
And whereas, in order to secure the property of the said Society, 
to extend its operations, and to give it a more permanent establish- 
1 
1922 
