This link will take you to the original mission statement (although I don't think that particular piece of jargon was current in 1869) of Nature. For those with click fatigue here is the essence of the objectives it was seeking:

 FIRST, to place before the general public the grand results of Scientific Work and Scientific Discovery ; and to urge the claims of Science to a more general recognition in Education and in Daily Life ;
   And, SECONDLY, to aid Scientific men themselves, by giving early information of all advances made in any branch of Natural knowledge throughout the world, and by affording them an opportunity of discussing the various Scientific questions which arise from time to time.

Now, Nature is better known for the second of these aims and that has been the core of  its, and its associated journals', success. However, it has never lost sight of the the first objective and today sees the launch of two free websites on two of the hottest topics around today.

Nature Reports Climate Change and Nature Reports Stem Cells both address highly contentious issues within the community and both have significant social, ethical, economic and medical implications for all of us. There is a range of content aimed at the non-specialist as well as the scientist. Both sites allow comment and discussion and we are building facilities for social networking and community involvement. Nature intends to be at the centre of scientific debate in all spheres.

It was a beautiful day In Munich yesterday. The afternoon was spent playing and eating Bayerische style - and milking cows (picture to follow!).

And the evening was special with a concert and dinner at mad King Ludwig's Nymphenburg Palace.

The concert was given by seven members of the Vienna Philharmonic and there was a fascinating ta about the importance (or possible obolescence) of classical music by the conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim. It was quite a day.