1780 — 85 .]

THE ROYAL SOCIETY.

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the very place in which, by the munificence of our EoyalPatron, we are now for the first time assembled, renderit impossible for me to neglect the opportunity whichthis season, when ye have been used to hear yourselvesaddressed from the chair, affords me, of offering mysmall tribute of acknowledgment for a benefit so emi-nently calculated to promote the honour and advance-ment of this Society. Established originally by themunificence of a Royal Founder; fostered and en-couraged since that time by every successive Monarchwho has swayed the British Sceptre, ye have everproved yourselves worthy the favour of your Royal Pro-tectors. A Newton who plumed his infant wing underyour auspices, when his maturer flights soared to worldsimmeasurably distant, still thought a place among youan honourable distinction. A Newton’s immortal labors,a Boyle, a Flamsteed, a Halley, a Ray, and many others,of whom I trust it is needless to remind you, have madeample returns for the patronage of former Monarchs .

“ But, bountiful as the encouragement ye have re-ceived from former Patrons has ever been, the favorswhich science has through your intercession receivedfrom his present Majesty (whom God long preserve),have eminently outdone their most extensive ideas ofliberality. Ample funds, by Him provided, have enabledyou to reward men of extensive knowledge and ability,for spending whole years in the service of science; ob-serving twice the transit of the planet Venus over thedisc of the Sun. At your request, the public defrayedthe expense of conveying them to the most distant partsof the globe we inhabit, where the purposes of theirmission, so important to the science of Astronomy,«ould best be fulfilled; while ye alone enjoy, amongyour fellow Academies, the reputation of having both