This essay has two parts. The first, based on external arguments, will provide new corroborating evidence for the reliability of Wallis's account of natural philosophical study in London in the 1640s. The second part, based largely on internal arguments, will employ three textual tools which help to uncover the meaning of text in its depth and richness. The first of these will consider the provenance of the extant manuscript copies of the text. The second addresses the literary aspects of Wallis's account. And the third textual approach will examine the social and historical context which motivated Wallis to write his autobiography. Autobiographies are artificial by nature, so it is appropriate to seek out all of the subtle themes which play a role in its narrative. This historical essay offers new insights not only into the origin of the Royal Society, but more particularly into the life of John Wallis in his social context. Wallis was the youngest natural philosopher present at the meetings he describes, and a very old man when he wrote his autobiography. As far as first hand experience is concerned, it is the last word on the matter
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