To find the sum of the first 50 natural numbers, you can use the formula for the sum of an arithmetic series:

\[ S_n = \frac{n}{2} \times (a + l) \]

where:
- \( S_n \) is the sum of the series,
- \( n \) is the number of terms,
- \( a \) is the first term,
- \( l \) is the last term.

For the series \( 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + \ldots + 50 \):
- \( n = 50 \),
- \( a = 1 \),
- \( l = 50 \).

Plugging these values into the formula:

\[ S_{50} = \frac{50}{2} \times (1 + 50) \]
\[ S_{50} = 25 \times 51 \]
\[ S_{50} = 1275 \]

So, the sum of the first 50 natural numbers is \( 1275 \).