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HUS I am, at length, arrived at the second Part of my Method, the Narration itself. This I shall divide into periods of Time, according to the several Degrees of the Preparation, Growth, and complete Constitution of the Royal Society.

The first shall consist of the first Occasions of this Model, and the Men, who first devised to put it in Execution; and shall end where they began to make it a formed and regular Assembly.

The second shall trace out their first Attempts, till they receiv'd the public Assistance of Royal Authority.

The third shall deliver what they have done since they were made a Royal Corporation.

It may seem perhaps, that in passing through the first of these, I go too far back, and treat of Things, that may appear to be of too private and domestick Concernment, to be spoken in this publick Way. But if this Enterprize, which is now so well established, shall be hereafter advantageous to Mankind (as I make no scruple to foretel that it will)