THE WERNERIAN SOCIETY. 
45 
be applied for ; and accordingly, this being done, the 
Lord Provost and Magistrates of Edinburgh, by virtue 
of authority vested in them, granted the charter on the 
10th February 1808 ; thus solemnly incorporating the 
Society. 
The objects of this Society are simply the general 
promotion of every branch of natural science. Some, 
who are more disposed to cavil than to reflect, have 
objected to the distinctive title assumed by the founders 
of the Wernerian Society, as narrowing its scope. 
Werner, it is true, is chiefly, if not exclusively, known 
in Britain as a distinguished mineralogist. His know- 
ledge, however, extended to every branch of natural 
science, and is regarded, by those who have possessed 
the singular advantage of his instruction, as equally re- 
markable for its accuracy as for its extent. 
The honourable compliment paid to Werner’s me- 
rits, as a man of science, ought to be considered, 
what it really is, as analogous to similar distinctions 
bestowed on Linnaeus in this country, and on other 
eminent men on the Continent. The name implies 
no determination blindly to support Werner’s pe- 
culiar views — as may be shown from the published 
memoirs, which contain undeniable proofs of free- 
dom of discussion. 
The Society has now existed upwards of twenty- 
seven years, during which period its records have 
been graced with the names of all the most distin- 
guished philosophers of Europe and America; and 
