Section 4

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THE TWELFTH PICTURE
Cucurbite or retort of glass, tongs and coals for fire. In two niches in the wall are to be seen figures of Mercury and Jupiter. At the base or pedestal of a column is an intaglio or bas-relief of Vulcan working as a blacksmith, with an assistant having his arm raised with hammer, as if assisting. Birds and flowers on golden ground fijiish the margin of this picture.
THE TWELFTH PICTURE Represents in a highly ornamental niche as the leading feature of the picture, a large upright glass cucurbit, or retort hermetically sealed, standing upon a green wreath, and is circled at narrow part by a red and gold crown, which comes about one-fourth down from the top. Inside this cucurbit its seen a naked child, holding a black flask or crucible in his right hand with which he is pouring its contents down the throat of a Dragon, or some horrid aquatic monster, having claws scales and finny wings. The legs and breast are covered with peacock feather spots. In the left hand the child holds a pair of small bellows, with which he points towards the heart of the monster. An allegorical figure of Mercury seated on a car (with a caducean rod in his left hand and a reaping hook in his right, an infant reclining before him on the car, and driving two green and gold Dragons or Monsters)
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THE TWELFTH PICTURE
surmounts the niche. On the base of the picture is seen a river from which an old man draws water and which he is pouring into a barrel, but which is running out as fast as he fills it in. A man with naked legs is trampling animal skins
in a tub, while a currier is shaving the hair of a hide in front of him. An old man bent with age is soliciting alms from a comfortable well-to-do middle aged man. On the right margin and beyond the river is a woman feeding a pig. A man is seizing another pig by the leg with one hand and ear by the other, while another pig is seen pent up in a box as if for being carried away, or slaughtered. Beyond is seen a man with a team of four horses drawing a plough, while another man is in the act of beating one of them, a brown one, three of them are brown, and one is white, which seems to be pulling very willingly. Beyond this is seen one man cudgelling another man whose hands are tied behind his back, and further off still is a large crowd of people round a gallows where a man is being hanged. On the left margin are two cripples seeking and receiving alms from a gentleman, while beyond them is seen a funeral procession going into a grave- yard close to a large cathedral. Four mutes dressed in black, follow the coffin which is carried by four men, and is shaped like the roof of a cottage, painted white with two black bands across it.
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THE THIRTEENTH PICTURE
THE THIRTEENTH PICTURE Is another similar niche and Cucurbit surmounted in like manner by a Golden Crown or Coronet. Inside the glass vessel are three doves or birds. One is coloured red, one WHITE, and the third black. The two former are busy pecking or fighting the black one, which they have got down upon its back and it is throwing up its claws in self defence. The WHITE pecks it UNDER THE TAIL, while the RED pecks it upon the head. Golden scintillations appear opposite the head of the red bird on the surface and outside the glass. Underneath the base of the niche is a massive wide staircase inside the Vatican. Half way up this stair is a wide landing space, upon which are a table and two black trunks or boxes. On the table are a pair of scales, two heaps of gold, ink bottles, desk and a printed paper hanging over the side of the table. A man clad in red and blue with blue cap, is sitting at the table, upon a black chair, looking over a large book, two men are standing at the table, apparently conversing together. The one is dressed in a blue robe with scarlet cap and comforter hanging down his back ; the other has a crimson robe edged with Gold, his head is un- covered and he holds an illumined book in his hand. Two steps up to the left, is a man on his knees, upon a crimson
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THE FOURTEENTH PICTURE carpet. He is draped in red and gold, two steps further up sits the Pope robed in red and gold with his triple golden crown, in the act of placing a crown upon the kneeler's head. The Pope is surrounded by numerous Cardinals, etc. Others are seen as if conversing farther back. Two are seen working a still or retort in the quadrangle, while a pack of hounds and people are seen hunting in the distance. One humble looking suppliant is seen near at hand upon one knee, as if soliciting some favour from these gentlemen who are outside the place and evidently of some authority.
Surmounting the niche is a m57thological picture of a man with two arrows in his hand and sitting upon a car which is drawn by two peacocks, upon one wheel of the car is Saggitarius and on the other Pisces. A knight is upon one knee handing him a dish, etc. The radiance of the Sun shines behind him. (Jupiter in Saggitarius and Pisces).
THE FOURTEENTH PICTURE
A similar glass cucurbit in a golden niche. Inside the glass, standing upright is a white bird shaded blue, with three heads, each of which is decorated with a golden crown.
Above the niche is a mjrthological representation of Mars with shield and spear and sitting upon a car with a
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THE FIFTEENTH PICTURE coiled up serpent before him. On the front wheel is Capri- corne and on the hind one Cancer. The car is drawn by two Foxes. Underneath and around margin is a War going on between helmetted and armoured horsemen with red and gold skirts outside their armour, and the populace on foot armed with spears, etc. Burning of houses, and seizures of cattle are to be seen in the distance. Possibly intended to represent scenes from the Swiss War of Eman- cipation.
THE FIFTEENTH PICTURE A similar cucurbit set in a crimson niche upon the margin of which is painted strawberries, peapod, flowers and a bird. In. the Cucurbit is a Monster Dragon, having three heads, and long necks attached to one body, similar to that in the twelfth Picture. The heads are turned to the right, that nearest us is white, the centre one is red, the farthest one is black, the necks are all speckled green. The niche is sur- mounted by an allegorical representation of a King in golden garments and seated upon a light green two-wheeled chariot drawn by two horses with golden harness, over golden-tipped clouds. There is the figure of Leo on the wheel. Before the King is a golden Sun aslant and on a level with his face, from or through whose influence, the King is enabled to radiate
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THE SIXTEENTH PICTURE
a golden emantion or halo all around. Sun in Leo. Underneath the Cucurbit is a King in royal red and golden robes with black inner clothing and cap, sitting upon a dais on a lawn. Before and around him are ten Courtiers in magnificent and varied apparel, another is upon a horse beautifully caparisoned.
The right marginal continuation of the landscape shews well dressed men at athletic sports, stone heaving, wrestling, archery, etc. On the left margin is a King with crown on head, and dressed in blue and purple robes, standing watching two men at sword exercise, two boys are standing by holding in their hands two other swords, as if in attendance upon them. Others are seen at sword practice in the back ground. Landscape with River and Castles in the distance.
THE SIXTEENTH PICTURE A similar but more fanciful golden niche. The top part
has a circular opening in it to allow the pointed top of the
glass Cucurbit to pass through it. From this point are
suspended two golden chains, the other ends of the
chains are attached to two pillars at the sides of the niche,
about three fourths of the height of it. Inside the Cucurbit
is a beautifully painted peacock looking down upon a group
of musicians below. One of them is playing a guitar, and
another a viol. A lady dressed in red and gold also is playing
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THE SEVENTEENTH PICTURE
a viol, while another lady in blue and gold and one in yellow and gold are singing a concert, at the left side of the picture are two gentlemen and a lady at table drinking wine and eating grapes. At the right side stretches a landscape and various men and women in couples walking about. To the left is seen a running stream in which many people are bathing. The niche is surmounted by the figure of a lady draped in red and gold, holding a golden arrow in her hand and sitting in a red golden car. On one wheel is Aries and on the other Libra, Venus in Aries and Libra. The car is drawn by two doves over golden tipped clouds. Before her on the car stands a small figure of Cupid with bow and arrow in the act of shooting, while she holds him from behind with a golden cord. A red heart appears in the sky, above him radiant with gold and penetrated by a red arrow. A golden radiant sun rests upon the heart, top cut ofi by the top line of the picture.
THE SEVENTEENTH PICTURE A similar Cucurbit and golden niche as in picture number Fourteen. In the Cucurbit is the figure of a Queen with the upper part of her body naked, but with a pale blue robe thrown loosely round the rest of the body except the feet and ankles are bare. Around her is an oval shaped halo
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THE EIGHTEENTH PICTURE
like a blue and yellow rainbow. , Beneath her feet is a golden side face of the Sun, Flowers are painted on the golden margin of the niche which is surmounted by the blue figure of a man upon a blue car, holding in his hand a radiant caducean rod, the car is drawn by two cocks, on one wheel are Gemini and on the other Virgo. Mercury in Gemini and Virgo. Under- neath the base of the niche are two philosophers studying a Globe. Another is writing at a desk, while another is sitting at the table counting gold into bags. To the right side of the table is an ancient organ, which is being blown by a man at the bellows behind, while the organist manipulates the keys in front. Two choristers and a man playing a brass wind instrument completes this group of Commerce, Science, Literature, and Music, while Sculpture is represented by two men operating with hammer and chisels upon a short stone pedestal. The back ground depicts a very busy and prosperous commercial city, possibly Venice.
THE EIGHTEENTH PICTURE In another golden niche surrounded with birds and flowers upon a golden ground stands a similar glass flask or cucurbit. Inside of the same is a youthful boy King, dressed in red and gold. His legs are bare from above knees to lower part of calves. Boots red and gold. He holds a golden
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THE NINETEENTH PICTURE
ball in his left, a sceptre in his right hand. He stands upon a crescent moon, convex side up, and with an oval halo of light, throws a great radiance all around, of deep yellow and golden emanations. The niche is surmounted by a golden car drawn by two female figures in red and gold. In the car is seated a female figure holding a crescent Moon in her hand concave side up. On the wheel of chariot is the sign of Scorpio (Moon in Scorpio). Underneath the base of niche is a river with water birds on its surface, fishermen in a boat casting nets, others fishing with rods and shooting, hawking, washing clothes in river, himtiiig, riding, boating and ships sailing, are seen in middle and extreme distance, and a mill-wheel is being moved by the stream near the foreground.
THE NINETEENTH PICTURE It is a most dismal and curiously dark weird-like subject. A bleakish stunted landscape, with black blighted withered trees in foreground. A monster black sun is in great part sunk below the ground, yet visible and partly rising above the ground at the centre of the landscape — or middle distance. The rising of this pall-like bristly black sun, overspreads and hides totally the body of the true sun, which Ues beyond ; for, behind — is to be seen golden radiations
60
THE TWENTIETH PICTURE
of the true sun, which illuminates with its golden tinted light a nice landscape in the extreme distance. The clouds above are red and the building seen afar off (in the extreme dis- tance) are also red and glowing. Faint golden radiation are to be seen shooting through all this foreground blackness, as if emanating from the true hidden sun which lies behind all.
The margin hals caterpillars, butterflies, small birds, snails, flowers, etc., on a golcien ground, which completes the picture.
THE TWENTIETH PICTURE
In a long room are to be seen ten children of various ages at play. Six of these are naked, three are clad in blue and one in yellow. Toy hobby horses without legs, little paper windmills. A cushion made into a car to give rides upon, etc., form the chief amusements. The mother sits at the extreme end of the room nursing a baby in her lap and keeping a watchful eye over the family. She is dressed in red and gold, with a black cape. A jackdaw is seen hopping about the floor. The cat in the comer. A bath and basin on the floor ready for use, and two bottles con- taining a yellowish liquid is seen on a shelf over the door. A servant girl is seen through the door in another apartment busy at work.
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THE TWENTY-FIRST & TWENTY-SECOND PICTURES Butterflies, caterpillars, moths, flies, snails, fruit and flowers upon a gold ground complete this picture.
THE TWENTY-FIRST PICTURE Has a river and landscape. A cauldron with fire under- neath and a few black earthenware vessels surrounding it are on the immediate foreground. On the foreground are nine women washing and wringing clothes, hanging out, drying, and bleaching. /
Houses, Minaretted Castles, etc., beautify the landscape. Birds, berries, butterflies and flowers, on a golden ground complete the margin.
THE TWENTY-SECOND PICTURE Exhibits the Sun just risen, golden red, serious thoughtful and severe looking. The eyes seem so penetrating as if they would search into and question your inmost soul. The landscape has the sanctity of night over it and is of a blackish grey tint. A city is seen on the hiU right underneath the chin of the Sun. Yet it is seemingly wrapped in night. There is nothing like life stirring, all appears wrapped in night and sleep, and as if the Sun had stolen upon them UNAWARES AT VERY EARLY MORNING, and was Unable to give any light to the Earth or waken the people.
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ON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FIRES A few blasted trees on foreground and middle distance alone show faint tinges of Gold.
Birds, strawberries and flowers on a golden ground in the margin completes the picture which is pregnant with the DEEPEST MYSTERY that Can be known to man here or here- after.
ON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FIRES If a thing is deprived of its heat, then is there no motion in it. In the order of nature the father chemges into the son, which means that the Spiritud is materialised, and the Volatile made permanent ; or that Sun and Moon have come home. Of these two planets senior speaks also : " I am a hot and dry Sun, while thou, luna, art cold and moist, and when we shall rise in the order of our most ancient nobihty, a burning light will be poured into us." Whereby he is in- dicating that through the knowledge and mastery of the ancients the renewals of the moistures will be received, and Sun and Moon become transparent.
The " ScALA Philosophorum " treats of the fire as follows : " The Heat or Fire of the whole work is uniform, for some say that the heat of the first regimen shall be as the warmth of a brooding hen, others that it ought to be as the natural warmth of the digestion of food and nourish- es
ON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FIRES
ment of the body, while some take the heat of the Sun, when she is in the sign of aries, as the proper one."
Though the stone is obtained through one operation, nevertheless has the operation of the Fire to be changed thrice. In the first operation of the work shall the heat be mild moderate and warm, till the matter turns black continually, and further till it becomes white again. This heat is compared to the heat of the Sun when he is in aries and begins to move towards taurus. When the White appears the Fire should be increased and continued until the perfect dr3dng up or Calcination of the Stone ; this heat is compared to the Sun's heat when he is in taurus and moving towards gemini. And when the stone is perfectly dried up, and calcined, the iire has again to be made more fierce still, until the stone becomes perfectly red, and clad with a royal coat from the fire, and this heat is compared to the summer heat, when the Sun is in leo ; that is her highest dignity, when she is in her own house. This much is enough said on the government of the fire.