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OCCULT CHEMISTRY,

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MOST CELEBRATED TREATISES

On the Theory and Practice

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LONDON:

Printed by M»cdon»ld and Son, Cloth Fiir, '

TOR LACKINGTON, ALLEN, & CO. F1NSBURY SQUARE.

1815.

INTRODUCTION.

Tubal Cain, the first artificer in brass and iron, was, no
doubt, skilled in the preparatory work of finding the mines, rais-
ing the ore, and smelting it. ' The reduction of copper ore to
metal, by several calcinations, and its admixture with calamine,
to make brass, is not the least difficult among metallurgic ope-
rations. Tubal Cain is therefore reputed the first inventor of
chemistry, relating to manufactures.

The universal chemistry, by which the science of alchemy opens
the knowledge of all nature, being founded on first principles,
forms analogy with whatever knowledge is founded on the same.
Jirst principles. In this view, Moses, describing the creation,
is an universal chemist, and reveals at the same time, the creation
of the philosophers' stone, in this process : " The earth was
" without form, and void ; % Darkness was on the face of the
" deep; 3, The spirit of God moved on the face of the waters;
" 4, God said, Let there be light, and there was light ; 5, He
" divided the light from the darkness ; 6, He divided the upper
«' from the lower waters, by a firmament; 7, He separated the
" water from the earth ; 8, The earth vegetated ; 9, He made
" the stars, sun, and moon ; 10, The waters brought forth ani-
•". mal life; 11, The earth brought forth animal life; 12, He
*' made his own image, having dominion over all"

The same alchemic knowledge is ascribed to Saint John the
Divine, and may be said of all the inspired writers,, who were
intimately acquainted with the wisdom of God. Saint John de-
scribes the redemption, or the neW creation of the fallen soul,
on the same Jirst principles, until the consummation of the work,
in which the Divine tincture transmutes the base metal of the
soul into a perfection that will pass the fire of eternity.

The seven churches, or states of regeneration, analogize with
the seven days of the creation, and the seven regimens of the
stone, the last of which is gold, tried in the fire.

The revelation of the Divine Chemistry, by which the fire
of the last day will make a new heaven and a new earth, on the
same Jirst principles, is, by analogy, equally descriptive of the
stone, and the process into which the fallen universe has passed,
is passing, and which at last will assimilate with the philo-
sophic transmutation, that of the earth and elements, as described
by Saint John.

* INTRODUCTION.

Saint Peter speaks of the first creation, of the earth standing
out of the 'water, and in the water, which earth being overflowed,
perished, but is now reserved unto Jire. And St. John describes
the new earth having the light of chrystal, cities of transparent
gold, stones of jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx,
sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprasus, jacinth, amethist;
gates of pearls, and water of life or health.

All the wise observers of nature among the heathen, have, in
their writings, left traits of the same Jirst principles. This pro-
duces frequent reference, in the writings of the adepts, to the
Heathen Mythology, which has been preserved by the Greeks
and Romans. The poem of the Argonauts, by Orpheus, is
founded on a Hermetic allegory, that he brought from Egypt,
where Hermes Trismegistus, whose name signifies a spiritual
trinity in Mercury, was celebrated as the founder of religion
and the sciences.

Alchemy is called Hermetic philosophy, from Hermes, the
author of seven books, and a tablet of alchemy, which are the
most ancient and esteemed writings on this subject now extant.
They were found in the Hebrew and Arabic languages, in the
year of the Christian era 400, from which date there is lite-
rary evidence of the lives and writings of adepts.

The destruction of ancient manuscripts prevents higher re-
search ; for, in 296, Dioclesian burned the books of the Egyp-
tians, on the chemistry of gold and silver, peri chumeias argu-
rou kai chrusou. Caesar burned 700,000 rolls at Alexandria;
and Leo Isaurus 300,000, at Constantinople, in the eighth cen-
tury; about which time the Mahometans commenced the work
of destroying literature in its principal sources.

See Diodorus initio. Tertullian, chap. 2, of the soul, and chap,
15, against Valentine. Clemens oj Alexandria, 6th book. Acts
of the Apostles, chap. 7, and ver. 22. Eusebius prepar. Evan,
lib. 10, cap. 2 Psellus ad Xiphilium. Laertius in Democrito*
Pliny Nat. Hist. ch. 30, v. I.

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SYNESIUS,

El SHOP OF PTOLLMAID.

THE most illustrious of the early adepts was SyitesittS. He-
lived in Cyrenia, one of the principal cities of Pentapolis, ht
Lybia, to the west of Lower Egypt, and his genealogy, which*
ascends to the ancient kings of Sparta, is carefully kept in the
public registers of that city. He was born there, about the year
365. The taste he had for philosophy, engaged him in the cul-
tivation of the most sublime sciences. He was accomplished i»
eloquence, poetry, geometry, and astronomy, and with the
most secret philosophy of Plato and Pythagoras But as Cyre-
nia, though it had produced Carncades and Aristippus, who were
celebrated philosophers of antiquity, was less a city than an as-
semblage of rich men, where the sciences were not cultivated,
he believed, that to perfect himself, he should go to Alexandria.

Synesius carried into this city a great love tor truth, which he
made perfect by the practice of virtue. In his own country, he
had heard, with astonishment, that an illustrious female, named
Hyrpatias taught the philosophy of Plato publickly at Alexandria.
Charmed, to find in this philosophic lady a still greater wisdom
than he expected, he attended at her lectures, and learning from,
her the mysteries of philosophy, he conceived so great an esteem
for this noble lady, that he often called her his teacher, parent,
and benefactor ; even after he was raised to the episcopal dig-
nity, all the works he intended to publish, he submitted to her
judgment.

It was in this great city he formed an acquaintance with the
learned Egyptians, particularly with Dioscores, high priest of
Serapis. Synesius was still a pagan — it was there lie was formed
in the Hermetic science, and knew the treatise of Democritus on
the physical secret. As this trcastise is very obscure, Synesius
made some annotations upon it, which he dedicated to this
great priest; but they are not without that cabalistic darkness
which is imposed on those who possess the secret,, by a solemn
oath, and is even extended to the mysteries of the platonic phi-
losophy.

There are letters of Synesius, on the subject of alchemy, ad-
dressed to some philosophers, but he does not express himself
clearly, lest they should fall into the hands of the prophane or
vulgar. He was so scrupulous, as to reprehend severely his friend
Herculeu*, for having spoken plainer than he ought, of thoss
secrets of philosophy which Jie had disgoyered to lym,

6 Live of the Adepts.

Not content with the lights he had acquired in the city of
Alexandria, Synesius wished to see Athens, and know personally
if the Academy, the Lyceum, and the Gallery of Stoics, still
equalled the reputation that Plato, Aristotle, and Zeno, had
procured for them ; but he was much disappointed. This cele-
brated city no longer preserved any thing but the names of the
illustrious assemblies that once dignified it. There were artizans
and merchants to be found, but none of the learned, or of the
wise.

At his return from this voyage, Synesius settled in his native
country, where philosophy, letters, and the chace occupied him.
He did not wear the habit of a philosopher, according to the
ancient usage, which was still preserved ; and he refused
to read, or have his works read publicly: his birth, and his
modesty made him superior to these advantages, which were flat-
tering to the vanity of common philosophers. Content with a
tranquil life, he remained free and disengaged from any occu-
pations or cares of the world. He solely endeavoured to pre-
serve his mind in a perfect calm, far from every thing that could
trouble his repose. It was not sloth or idleness that withheld
him from business, for when it became necessary, he voluntarily
devoted himself to the service of the whole city ; in the midst of
solitude preserving the desire of being useful to his neighbours
and his country ; and in the embarrassments of public affairs,
lie did not lose his taste for the study of philosophy.

The beneficent character of zeal for the public service, that
Synesius always preserved, was the cause, that the city of Cyrc-
renia, and four others, deputed him, in 397, to proceed to Con-
stantinople, to represent to the Emperor Arcadius the deplorable
state of his country, and to obtain assistance. He remained
three years endeavouring to succeed in his mission, which at
length he effected by making large presents.

•The earthquake, in 400, which desolated Constantinople,
obliged him to return to his country ; there he gave an account
of his negotiation ; and about this time, it is believed he was
baptized. He went again to Alexandria, where he married,
towards the year 403, and it was the patriarch Theophilus, who
performed the ceremony.

If the cares of a family relaxed his attention to stud}', it did
not diminish the brilliancy of his virtues : on the contrary, his
reputation was so great, that the citizens of Ptolemaid, wanting
a bishop, in 410, with one accord they fixed upon Synesius to
fill the vacant chair, by which he had jurisdiction, as metropo-
litan, over the whole province, notwithstanding he was mar-
ried. In yam his election was opposed; it was necessary to
concede to the wishes of the people and clergy, who were se-
conded in their desires by Theophilus, Bishop of Alexandria.
From this time he was obliged to quit his retreat, and enter
into die multiplicity of cures attending ecclesiastical duties.

Bhasis. 7

Until now, Synesius had been more a philosopher than a
Christian, and was so little acquainted with the superior light of
the Christian dispensation, that in comparing St. Anthony and
St. Aimon, to Zoroaster and Mercury Trismegistes, he thought
he had done the former great honour. But alter the episcopal
consecration, he joined all the dignity, and the active, vigilant
life of a bishop, to the modesty of a simple believer ; and al-
though he had not been educated in the church, he perfectly
knew how to preserve the faith, against heretics, and purity of-
manners against the false Christians ; and all this with gentleness.
He even applied himself to the conversion of the pagan philoso-
phers, a work more difficult than the transmutation of metals.
Yet he succeeded in bringing over his friend Evagrius to the
Christian faith.

He died between the year 416 and 431, as his successor,
Evopsus, is named in the list of the council then held at Ephesus.

Three of the letters of Synesius are addressed to his friend
Heliodorus, Bishop of Tricca, in Thessaly, who was born at
Emesus, in Phoenicia ; and who wrote the celebrated romance of
Theagenes and Cariclea, and a treatise in verse, on Alchemy,
which is printed by the learned Albert Fabricius, page 789, of
the 6th vol. of his Greek Bibliotheca.

See Synesius' s letters, 36, 142 — 57. and Tillemont's Ecclesias*
tical Memoirs*

RHASIS.

Rhasis, named also Mahommed Ben Zakara, a celebrated
physician and chemist, was of the city of Rei, upon the fron-
tiers of Corasan.

Although he was thirty years of age when he began to study
medicine, he soon surpassed all those of his time, and was pre-
ferred as the most skilful physician to take charge of the famous
hospital of Bagdad. He was in much esteem with Almansor,
lord of Corasan. He was a skilful philosopher, a very excel-
lent chemist, and had written twelve books upon chemistry; but
very few have been published, even supposing all these to be his
which are attributed to him. It appears that he was the first
who introduced chemistry into medicine. His works served to
form other Arabian physicians, and even Avicenna, whom we
regard as their chief. It is said that he published at least two
hundred and twenty treati es upon medicine; yet was poor, and
lost his sight; two facts that have been alleged, with injustice
against his skill in alchemy, or medicine.

He died at an advanced age, in the year 932.

See Ft amis' 's Hist, of Medicine*

8 Lives of the Adepts,

ALFARABI.

The middle of the tenth century was made illustrious by one
of these celebrated men, who do honour to the sciences in which
they engage. This was Farabi, or Alfarabi, one of those, men
of universal genius, who penetrate all sciences with equal facility.
He did not confine himself to the reveries of the Coran, but
fathomed the most useful and interesting sciences, and passed for
the greatest philosopher of his time,

His adventure with Sifah Doulet, the Sultan of Syria, shews
Iris character and singular talents. He was returning from a
pilgrimage to Mecca, when, passing through Syria, the Sultan
was surrounded with the learned, who were conversing with him,
upon the sciences.

Farabi entered the saloon where they were assembled, and did
not sit down till the Empei or desired he should be seated ; at
which the philosopher, by a freedom rather astonishing, went
and sat upon the end of the Sultan's sopha. The prince, sur-
prized at his boldness, called one of his officers, and commanded
him, in a tongue not generally known, to put out the intruder.
The philosopher heard him, and replied, in the same tongue,
" O Signior ! he who acts so hastily, is subject to repent."-—
The prince was no less astonished at the reph', than by Yaa
manner, and the excellent energy of his action ; wishing to knovr
more of him, he began a conference among his philosophers, in
which Farabi disputed with so much eloquence and vivacity, that
he reduced all the doctors to silence, Then the Sultan ordered
music, to recreate the assembly ; and when the musicians en-
tered, the philosopher accompanied them on a Lute, with so much
delicacy, that he attracted the eyes, and admiration of the as-
sembly. But as they found he was a musician, at the request of
the sultan, he drew out of his pocket a piece of his own compo-
sition ; it was a piece allegro ; he sung it, and accompanied it
with so much force and spirit, and the company took such plea-
sure in it, that they ail rejoiced to an excess of laughter. The
philosopher, then, to shew the extent of his talents, changed to
another piece, and accompanied it so tenderly, that the assembly
were touched by it, and wept. To conclude, he changed to
another measure, and put all the company to sleep.

It was in vain the sultan, who was struck with the merit of
Farabi, wished to retain him near his person. Farabi set out,
but it was to perish miserably. He was attacked by robbers in

the wood? cf Syria, and in spite of his courage, was killed, in
the year 95-i. But his work? upon all the sciences, which are in
great number, in the library of Leyden, as well as those on the
netic science, make him be regarded as one of the greatest
men that ever yet appeared among the Mahometans.

Zives of the Acltpts,

MORIEN.

Morien was a Roman, but we are assured that his works were
originally written in the Arabic language, and that he lived under
their dominion, in which, very likely, he died. It the story
which is related of him be true, ns it has every appearance of itj
we see the Arabians did not rail to cultivate the practice of al-
chemy in Egypt, of which they were master-.

The history of Morien is simple, it is natural, but never-
theless very interesting. This philosopher was in Rome, his na-
tive place, where he studied under the eyes of a father and mo-
ther who tenderly cherished him. He led a peaceful life, formed
in all the duties of Christianity. He heard of Adfar, a famous
Arabian philosopher of Alexandria; he even saw some of his
writings; and he was immediately seized with a desire to understand
their meaning. The first impressions of youth carried him away,
and he abandoned his paternal house, and set out for Alexan-
dria. He arrived there, and sought with so much industry,
that he at last found the house of the philosopher. He made
known to him his name, his country, and his religion ; and both
appeared content and satisfied with each other; Adfar, at hav-
ing found a young man whose docility might be depended upon,
and Morien, at seeing himself under the discipline of a master,
who promised to unveil to him the source of all treasures. The
gentleness of the disciple engaged the master to conceal nothing
from him.

The immense treasures of Adfar, his lights and acquirements
in the most secret philosophy, did not hinder his death. After
Morien had paid the last duties to his deceased master, he quitted
Alexandria, not to return to Rome, but to go to Jerusalem,
However, he only rested there for the time it took him to pur-
chase a retreat near the city, where he could tranquilly finish a
Christian life. Fie settled in this hermitage, with a pupil whom,
he no doubt intended to form for science.

In his retreat, the philosopher heard of the Soldan of Egypt,
named Kalid, a wise and curious prince, lieutenant of the Ca-
liph. The book of Adfar had fallen into his hands, and he
made a close search, in all places in his territory, for some per-
son who was of sufficient skill to explain it. And, as it happens
at this day, many presented themselves, less to work to any pur-
pose, than to profit by the great property the prince gave to
those who promised him success.

Morien, who heard with pain, how much Kalid was deceived
quitted his retreat, and went to Egypt, as much to endeavour
the conversion of the Soldan, as to communicate the knowledge
of Adilir's book. Upon the promises of Morien, the Soldan
made him chuse a house, and Morien remained in it, till he

10 Lives of the Adepts.

finished his process. The work being brought to its per-
fection, the philosopher wrote upon the vase in which he put
the elixir : " He who has all, has no want of others ;" and
immediately quitted the city, and journeyed safe home to his
hermitage.

At this news, Kalid went to the house in which Morien had
dwelt, and found the vase containing the tincture ; but what
was his chagrin, on reading the inscription, to find that the
hermit was not to be found.

Then, from being penetrated with regret at the loss of this
true artist, he was filled with indignation at the false alchemists
who had promised him all things, but executed nothing; so that
he made an edict for the capital punishment of all pretenders.
Then calling Galip, his favourite slave, " Galip," says the
prince, " "What have we to do ?" " My lord," said his faithful
servant, "it is good to hope, God will make us know the conduct
we ought to pursue."

Kalid remained some years in these anxieties, till, being in
chase, as usual, accompanied by his faithful slave, Galip found
a devout hermit, at prayers, in a solitude : " Who are you ?"
said Galip to him : " From whence came ye, and where do ye
go ?" " I am of Jerusalem, the place of my birth," replied
the good hermit ; " and I have remained a long time in the
mountains near to that city, with a holy man. There I have heard
that Kalid was in pain to know how he could finish the Mystery
of Hermes. I know this man is very skilful in that science, and
I have quitted my country to inform the prince of it."

" Oh ! my brother, what do you say ?" exclaimed Galip ;
" It is enough, say no more, for 1 do not wish you should die,
as the impostors have, who presented themselves to my master."
" I fear nothing," said this good man; " If you can present me
to the prince, I will go before him with confidence." Galip
presented him ; and the hermit informed Kalid, that he knew
well he was in pain to accomplish the hermetic work ; that he
came to him to tell how he might attain it. That he knew, in the
solitudes of Jerusalem, a sage hermit, who had received this su-
preme wisdom from God. " He has more than once confessed
it to me," says he, " that he had this precious gift, and 1 have
had the proof of it, by the quantity of gold and silver which he
brought each year to Jerusalem.

Kalid could not avoid representing to him the danger to which
he exposed himself, by making false promises, which had caused
the death of many adventurers, who, to deceive princes, boast
of knowing that, of which they are totally ignorant. But as
the good hermit always spoke with the same confidence, without
apprehensions of his menaces, Kalid was enkindled with desire,
and upon hearing the description of Morien's person, he believed
it was huii, which was confirmed when he heard his name,

Moricn — Aviccrina. 11

Upon the promise of the hermit, that he would engage to
find Morien, Kalid commanded Galip to go himself with a suffi-
cient escort. After many fatigues, they arrived at the mountains
of Jerusalem, where they found the venerable Morien, who,
under a rude hair-cloth, lived in continual youth, and in the
most austere penitence. Galip knew him, and saluted him on
the part of the prince. The virtuous hermit had no difficulty to
comprehend the occasion of this visit. He offered freely to ac-
companv him to Egypt;- — they arrived there. But no sooner had
the soldan seen Morien, than turning towards Galip, he could
not resist expressing his satisfaction, this being the man he so
long regreted. Full of joy at having found him again, henvished
to engage him in a worldly situation. But Morien had other
thoughts. He sought only the conversion of the prince, and the
prince sought only riches.

Morien made known all the truths of Christianity, but he was
not able to touch the Soldan's heart. The prince, content with
possessing the source of treasure, made him seek a house suitable
to the high value he had for him; and after many conversations,
in which the pious philosopher vainly sounded the soldan's heart,
he, notwithstanding, discovered to him at last, all that he had
long desired with so rauch ardour.

We are ignorant what became of Morion; but his history and
his conversations have been written, both by himself, and by
Galip, the faithful slave of Kalid. Kalid has likewise left some
little works upon this subject, which are printed in the collec-
tions of Hermetic Philosophy.

Bacon and Arnold, who appeared, one at the beginning, and
the other at the end of the thirteenth age, have cited Morien as
a writer, authorised among the Hermetic Philosophers ; and
Robertas Castrensis assures us, that he translated Morien's book
into Latin, from the Arabic language, the year 1182.

AVICENNA.

Chorasan produced another celebrated adept at the end of
the tenth century, Ebn Sina, that is to say, Avicenna was born
at Bacara, the principal city of that province of Persia, towards
the year 980; he made great progress in the mathematics, and by
his uncommon aptness and facility of genius, even in the most
sublime philosophy. He was only sixteen when he passed from
the preparatory sciences to that of medicine, in which he suc-
ceeded with the same celerity : and it is said his sagacity was so
great in the knowledge of diseases, he discovered that the illness

12 Lives of the Adepts.

of the Icing of Gordia's nephew was caused by love, and by a
stratagem discovered, the object of his affections.

Medicine and philosophy were his principal occupations, they
obtained so much credit for him, that the Sultan "Magdal Dou-
let thought he could not do better than to place so penetrating a
genius at the head of his affairs. He made him his prime
Visier.

Avicenna drank wine freely, notwithstanding the religion of
Mahomet wisely forbids it altogether : bis intemperence led to
immorality and disorder, he was deprived oflrs dignities in the
state, and died in 1037, aged 56. He was buried at Hamadan, a
citv of Persia, which was the ancient Ecbatana, then capital of
Media.

His destiny gave rise to a proverb, that he leas a -philosopher
without wisdom, and a physician without health.

There are extant six or seven treatises of his on the hermetic
philosophy, perhaps some of them are onlv ascribed to him, in
consequence of his being celebrated in all Asia. He hid illustrious
commentators on his writings in the twelfth and thirteenth ages,
ihe European physicians for sometime took him as their master
in medicine: so that his writings were taught publicly in the
schools until the re-establishment of letters, or rather until the
reformation in medicine.

ALAIN OF LISLE.

This celebrated man, called the universal doctor, for the
extent of his learning, resided at Lisle, and after a brilliant period
passed in the university of Paris, of which he was one of the
most illustrious doctors, retired to a cloister, as a lav brother, in
order to be master of his time, and to devote himself entirely to
philosophy. It is very likely that in this retreat, Alain practised
the hermetic science.

There is reason to believe that he worked successfully: he died
in 1298, aged move than 100 years; the editors of his works have
not inserted what he wrote on this science, it was, however, printed
separately, and is preserved in the theatrwn chymicum.

ALBERT THE GREAT,

The universal genius of Albert, joined to a laudable curiosity
in so great a philosopher, did not allow him to pass by the her-
metis science without giving it due attention.

Albert the Great. 13

This learned man was born in 1193, of an illustrious- family,
at Lawingen in the Dutchy of Ncubourg, upon the Danube;
he was rather stupid in his early years, which has been the
ease with other great; meR« Iie was liear 30> when in 1222 he
entered the order of St. Dominic; he had then some difficulty to
acquire ' tHe sciences, but his mind was hardly opened to study,
vj hen in six months he advanced more than another would in many
years. His acknowledged merit induced his superiors to get
him to teach in different houses cf their order, and above all at
Cologne, where he received Thomas Aquina.«, in 1244< as one of
his pupils The year after, he went to Paris with this favorite
disciple, for whom he had great affection, and took pleasure to
form him in the sciences. Thomas, full of gratitude was equally
attached to his master, and did not quit him when Albert returned
from Paris to Cologne in 1248. He even participated in the'
glory Albert received, when the Emperor William of Holland*
passing through the city in 1249, chose to honor Albert with a
visit.

This great man continued always to apply himself to the sci-
ences, but his prudence, which distinguished him not less than
his knowledge, caused him to be chosen at Worms in 125 4, pro-
vincial of his order. The disputes agitated between the mendi-
cant order, and the University of Paris, respecting Episcopal
rights, made it necessary for him as provincial to attend at
Rome.

These matters were not yet settled, when at his return into
Germany a superior post awaited him. — Pope Alexander IV.
appointed him in 1259, to fill the chair of Ratisbon; Albert
accepted it but soon perceived that the episcopal dignity, whose
rights it was then necessary to defend with an armed hand, was
not suitable to a man reared in the tranquillity of the cloister.
He had tasted the sweet and seducing leizure of the sciences, and
especially of philosophy, which requires the entire man; and
was often abstracted even from his personal wants. It was an
irresistible attraction, that impelled him towards studious re-
tirement.

Albert resigned his Bishopric in 1262, he retired to a
delightful retreat at Cologne, and continued his application to
study.

It is in vain that the historians of his order, argue that Albert
never applied himself to the Hermetic Philosophy. His books
alone sj,eak for him, and I mean books which are his, incontes-
tibly. As a | hysician, he carefully examined what regards- Natural
History, and above all the Minerals and Metals. He made
many singular experiments, which produced his book, " Secret
of Secrets," printed four or five times since the first edition at
Venice in 1508. The following passage is adduced to disprove his
alchemy : the skilful philosopher assures us, in his works, that he
essayed gold and silver, which an alchemist had made, they re-

14 Lives of the Adepts.

sristed six or seven fusions but in the eighth passed into scorise;
now in the very same chapter whence this weak argument is taken,
Albert acknowledges the possibility of metallic transmutation, pro-
vided the artist knows how to imitate nature.

Less ignorant in natural curiosities than his contemporaries, they
reported him a magician, the common appellation of more than
ordinary attainments, in the gross ignorance of the 13th age: even
long after his death, this reputation attended his memory. We
find that the Great Chronicle of Belgium, published in 1480,
records him magnus in magia, major in philoiophia^ maximus in
tkcologia.

There is one story of his magical abilities extant in the history
of the University of Paris.

It is related that William Count of Holland was prevailed on
by this great Philosopher, to honour his house at Cologne, by
a visit, and allow him to entertain this prince with a supper.
Albert had tables laid in the convent garden, although the season
■was winter, and at that time extremely rigorous; the earth was-
covered with snow, and the courtiers who accompanied William,
murmured at the imprudence of Albert, who exposed the prince
to the severity of the weather; suddenly the snow disappeared,
and the}' felt not only the softness of spring, but even the parterre
was filled with the most odoriferous flowers, the birds as in sum-
mer flew about or sung tlieir most delightful notes, and the trees ap-
peared in blossom. Their surprise at this metamorphose of nature,
was considerably heightened, when after the repast, all the softness
of the air, the flowers, the singing of birds, the delightful spring
ceased — every thing disappeared in a moment, and the cold wind
began to blow v ith the same rigour as before.

By a fatality, sometimes attending excessive application, of
which the history of the learned, furnish too many examples,
Albert about three years before his death, was deprived of his
memory, and totally forgot every tiling he knew, with the excep-
tion of the essential duties of religion, in which he persevered
always, until the end of the year 1280, when he died at Cologne,
aged 87 years.

See Hisioire VUniversite de Paris 1255, 3 tome, p. 213.
Quetif et Echardus Bibliotheca JOominicanorum, torn. 1. Albert
Mincralium, lib. 3, cap. 9, and Tolamcus [in Historia Ecclesiast.
lib. % cap. 17.

THOMAS AQUINAS.

ALirERTthe Great had in St. Thomas a pupil, to whom he would

discover every thing he held most secret; perhaps he loved him

because he lound in him a great depth of piety, joined to an

rnc maturity of intellect that merited all his instructions.

Thomas Aquinas. 15

His docility was as great as his birth, which lie derived from
the Counts of Aquinas, one of the first houses of Naples.

He died in March 1274, at fifty years of age, just as he was
summoned to the General Council at Lyons. He carefully
avoided, in all his works of theology, the appearance of al-
chemy, persuaded of the dishonour it would bring to his name,
with those who hold the least tendency towards it, as the height
of human folly.

There are some alchemical treatises ascribed to him, which
he did not write; but there are others that cannot be doubted.
That of the Nature of Minerals, is not worthy of so great a
philosopher; nor the Comment on the Turba. But his Treasure
of Alchemy, addressed to Brother Rcgnauld, his companion and
friend, is genuine. He cites Albert in this book, as his master
in all things, especially in Hermetic philosophy. He addressed
other books to Regnauld, on some curious sciences, amongst
which is a treatise on Judicial Astrology.

Saint Thomas wrote with neatness and precision. His leading
character is secrecy ; to preserve this important operation in-
violable from unworthy men, none other but the children of
light, who live as in the presence of God, being fit for the
knowledge, or charge of so great a mystery.

He recommends the salvation of souls, and Christian duties of
prayer and preaching, rather than an application to a science
that can only procure some temporal advantages.

In his works of Theology, he says, " It is not lawful to sell as
good gold, that which is made by Alchemy" And yet, when he
speaks of philosophy, he testifies, " that the aim of the alchemist
" is to change imperfect metal into that which is ■perfect " and,
*• that it is possible"

These are contradictions, unless he refers to the lata of juris-
prudence, in which there is no admission of the fact, that perfect
gold can be made by art.

He was named the Angelical Doctor, for his religious works
in Theological Casuistry, and the scholastic learning of these
times.

See Thesaur. Alchim. cap. 1, 3, 3; 22, quest. 77. article %
lib. A} meteorum initio.

16 Lives of the Adepts.

BACON,

Roger Bacon was the first Englishman who is known to
have cultivated alchemical phisosophy. He was of that su-
perior and penetrating genius, that acquires a science, and fa-
thoms it to the bottom, until its main principles are demon-
strated. He was acquainted with theology in its depth, and no-
thing was strange to him, not only in such necessary sciences,
as medicine and physic, but even of those which being only of
curiosity, were almost unknown in his time. Mathematics, geo-
metry, mechanics, perspective and optics, were his occupation
and delight. He penetrated into chemistry almost as far as any
have done after him.

This learned man was born in 1214, near Ilcestcr, in Somer-
set. He made extraordinary progress in the preliminary studies,
and when his age permitted, he entered into the order of St.
Francis ; this was the custom of the times. After his first studies
at Oxford, he went to Paris, where he learned mathematics
and medicine; and at his return, he applied himself to lan-
guages and philosophy, in which he made such progress, that
he wrote three grammars, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. He under-
stood perfectly, and even explained the nature of optic glasses,
upon which he wrote a very curious treatise, and shewed their
force in burning combustibles at a considerable distance.

We see, by what he wrote on perspective, his extensive know-
ledge of optics, in all its branches. He speaks solidly of the
reflection and refraction of light. He describes the camera ob-
sctira, and all sorts of glasses that augment or diminish objects,
in approaching them, or removing them from the eye.

He has even known the use of the optic tube, or telescope^
which is supposed a modern invention. Bacon was almost the
only astronomer of 4iis time ; he remarked a considerable error
with regard to the solar year, which had encreased from the time
of the Julian reformation. Bacon proposed a plan for correcting
it in 1267, to Pope Clement IV. who, though skilful, did not
put it in practice. But it was on the same plan, three centuries
after, that the Calendar was corrected by order of Pope
Gregory.

The penetration and the activity of Bacon did not rest in these
sciences ; he turned to mechanism, and searched into its prin-
ciples to the bottom ; and as Archytas made a wooden pidgeon to
fly, so he, it is said, contrived a machine to rise in the air, and
convey a chariot more speedily, than if drawn by horses. Pie
knew the art of putting statues in motion, and to draw articulate
sounds from a head of' brass. In chemistry he discovered the
properties of gun-powder; he described the matter of whigh it is

Raymond Lulhj. 17

compose;!, and the extraordinary effects it produces* So many
inventions from one man would be incredible, if his own writings
did not attest them.

Should we be surprized, if all these prodigies obtained for him
the name of magician, in an age of ignorance and superstition.
Even the friars of his own order refused to let his works into
their library, as if he was a man who ought to be proscribed by so-
ciety. His persecution encreased, till, in 1578, he was imprisoned,
and this philosopher was obliged to own that he repented of the
pains he took in arts and sciences. He was constrained to aban-
don the house of his order, and to form a retreat where he
might work in quiet. This house is shewn to every curious visitor
of Oxford to this day.

He died in 1592, aged 78. We have few of this great man's
works printed ; but the libraries in England preserve several in
manuscript.

See Opus Mqju-, folio. Lond. 1735.
Epistle to John Bishop of Paris.

RAYMOND LULLY.

Among the philosophers, few have made so much noise as
Raymond Lnlly. His story, family, person, and learning, make^
him a sort of prodigy. Of an illustrious house, originally of
Catalonia, he entered the army, after the example of his father,
who served under James I. King of Arragon, in 1230, at the
taking of Majorca and Minorca from the Saracens, where, partly
Ivy purchase, and partly by the gift of the King, he possessed
considerable estates.

His son Raymond was born in 1235, and as it was not customary
for the nobility to be studious ; Raymond, after a short course of
education, was satisfied to follow the court of King James II.
who made him Seneschal of the Isles, and Grand Prevot of the
Palace. Two male children, and one girl that he had by an
advantageous marriage, did not at all fix his affections. Pie cast
his eyes upon a lady, whose least qualification was extreme
beauty, superior to all the rest of the court. He was assiduous
about her person, who was the object of his desires. Pie soli-
cited, he wrote billet-doux and verses, but made no progress.
The Signora Ambrosia Eleonora de Castello, for that was the
name of the virtuous lady, tired, with the assiduity of a lover
who was so importunate, sought to cure him by coldness, which,
far from rebuking Raymond, served only to inflame his ardour.
Jit last, this impassioned courtier having sent her a piece of

c

18 Lives of the Adepts.

poetry, in which lie particularly described the beauty of her
neck, she took the opportunity to recall him to reason. She
informed him, in a very polite letter, which she wrote in the
presence of her husband ; " That being a lord of great spirit,
worthy of the esteem of all those who were most distinguished at
court, she was astonished he could be attached to a person who
so little merited his attention. That as she loved him much
more sincerely than she made appear, she counselled him to raise
his vows towards the Eternal Being, instead of fixing them upon
a transitory creature. But since her bosom had wounded his
heart, she hoped very soon to cure him, by exposing it naked
to his view, in order to afford him an opportunity of knowing
the object of his praises."

Raymond did not comprehend the sense of this letter ; he
flattered his passion ingeniously, and by his extravagant atten-
tions to Eleonora, she was convinced it was time to remedy his
delirium. By her husband's advice she gave him an interview :
She at first addressed him with every argument to remove his
chimerical passion, but found that he, on the contrary, was ar-
dently promising himself success. She then asked him what he
hoped by attaching himself to pursue her so steadfastly. I hope,
said Raymond, to possess the finest and most beautiful person in
Europe. You deceive yourself, then, my lord, said Ambrosia,
and here is the proof: — at this she bared her bosom, so beautiful
in his imagination. What was his horror at finding it all nice-
rated with a cancer : - " Behold," said she, " and judge, if this
miserable body merits your eulogies and esteem. 1 counsel you,
once more, my lord, to fix your affections on that, which is truly
worthy of your esteem, the grand object of a Christian soul."

This sight touched the heart more than the eyes of Raymond ;
and, after expressing to this excellent lady, how much he felt for
her misfortune, he withdrew to his house, and feeling his heart
altogether changed from what it was before, he threw himself at
the foot of the Cross, resolved to consecrate himself to the ser-
vice of God. Eull of this Christian determination, he passed a
more tranquil night than he had been accustomed to ; and,
during his sleep, he thought he saw Jesus Christ, who, with a
particular grace, said to him, " Raymond, follow me from hence-
forth." This vision being repeated, he judged it was the finger
of God. Raymond was then thirty years old; it was the year
1265. He was Grand Seneschal, that is, Master of the House
to the King, which is one of the most noble situations about
Court. He enjoyed the favour of his sovereign, and might
aspire to any honour for himself or his family. Nevertheless,
the attraction of Divine grace was much more powerful in him,
than that of a great establishment, and the most flattering hopes.
Me soon arranged his affairs, divided so much of his estate
among his family as enabled them to live honourably according
to their rank ; and distributed the rest to the poor. Retiring to

Raymond Lully. 19

a. small dwelling on Mount Aranda, near his estate, he prepared
himself to labour for the conversion of the Mahometans, by
studying their books in the Arabic language. After six years,
lie set out, with a servant who could speak the language, and
was a Mahometan ; but he, understanding that his master in-
tended to dispute against the Coran, formed the desperate reso-
lution to assassinate him the first opportunity. He soon seized
a moment, in which he stabbed the unsuspecting Raymond,
plunging a dagger in his breast; and would have repeated the
blow, but that a pious anchorite coming by. assisted to disarm
him. Instead of putting him to <leath, Raymond consented,
with reluctance, -to commit him to prison, where he shortly after
strangled himself, in a furious rage, full of disappointment that
lie had sot succeeded in destroying the enemy of his religion.

Happily the blow was not mortal ; and when Raymond was
recovered, he returned to his beloved solitude. In 1726 he
founded a professorship in the convent of Saint Francis, at
Palmes, for the Arabic language, to serve towards converting
the infidels.

It was in 1281 that Raymond went to Paris, where he became
acquainted with Arnold Vijlla Nova, from whom he obtained
the first rudiments of the secret ; and he continued in that city
for some time, teaching philosophy and the sciences in a new
method, since called the Lidlian art. From Paris he travelled
to Rome, where he arrived in April, 1287, just after the death
of the Pope, whose patronage he expected, to establish the
study of the Oriental languages, in the monasteries, for the pur-
pose of propagating the faith. He, therefore, returned to Paris,
disappointed of his hopes.

In 1291, lie visited the King of Majorca, at Montpellicr,
and there he found liis friend Arnold, who was at the head of
the faculty of medicine in that city.

His travels were not fruitless, as he wrote and taught pub-
lickly wherever he stopped. He was still, however, unsatisfied,
and did not give up his desire for the conversion of infidels. He
set out for Rome, and staid on the way, for some months, at
Geneva. With all his solicitation, he could not obtain from
Pope Nicholas II. the establishment he desired for the Oriental
languages. These disappointments made him think he should
go himself to announce Jesus Christ to the Infidels. With this
design, he returned to Genoa, to take his passage into Africa.

He put all his books -and effects on board a ship, and was
ready to embark for that part of the world, when a sudden fear
seized him, and made him change his resolution. His regret at
giving way to this view of danger, threw him into a fit of sick-
ness ; and when he was recovered, in order to repair his fault,
he sailed in the first vessel bound for Tunis. Immediately on
his arrival, he disputed with the chief ministers of religion
there, and was soon after arrested and condemned to death, as

20 Lives of the Adepts.

a seducer of the people. He would have received the crown
of marytrdom at that time, but that a learned Arabian, who
loved him, interceded with the Kino-, remonstrating against put-
ting so great a man to death. The sentence was accordingly
changed rate banishment. He was therefore obliged, immedi-
ately to quit the kingdom, on pain of death if he returned. It
was in 1293 that he arrived in Genoa, from this disastrous mis-
sion, and from thence he went to Naples, where he met Arnold
Villa Nova i and being in controversy with him against the pos-
sibility of transmutation, the fact was proved to him by an ex-
periment. He remained at Naples during the year 1294,
teaching his short method of acquiring the sciences. After this
he passed some time at Home, still labouring to execute his pro-
ject for establishing the study of Eastern languages ; in which
attempt, he found that Boniface VIII. was too much occupied
with the difficulty of maintaining his temporal authority, to give
him any assistance.

Raymond now gave up all hopes of success at Rome. He
went to Milan, a quiet city, suited to the retirement of a philo-
sopher, and there continued to practice some chemical opera-
tions; In his Bool: of Mercury^ he relates, that he endeavoured
to obtain a solution of that metal, at Milan, in 1296; and the
house where he lived is still shewn in that city. He next tra-
velled to Montpellier, and was received with distinction by
Raymond Gaunredy* General of the Order of St. Francis. He
obtained letters of association, as a benefactor to the order, the
superiors of which were put under his direction, and he taught
his method of science in their houses. He was still disquieted
tor the fate of his plan, and successively addressed the Kings of

France, Sicily, Majorca, and Cyprus; but all was In vain !

Never was a more active life; he taught everywhere he went;
and preached in Cyprus against the Schismatics, for which he
had the good fortune to be persecuted.

At length he returned to Paris, in 1508, where he conversed
with the celebrated Dr. John Scott, who was called the subtle
doctor. He had the satisfaction to find thatKing Philip had the
Oriental languages taught in the University of Paris. This in-
duced Raymond to proceed next year to Ferdinand IV. King
of Castile, to engage him to join with the King of France in
recovering the Holy Land; and to prove his zeal, he ventured
again to Africa, landed at Bona, formerly called Hippona, the
ancient diocese of St. Augustine, and in spite of the opposition
of the Infidels, its inhabitants, he did not leave it till he con-
verted seventy followers of the philosophy of Avorroes. From
thence, talking his road to Algiers, he converted many Mahome-
tans; but the persecution he suffered in this city," went to a
much gre-iter height: — they put a bridle in his mouth, as if he
was a horse, and deprived him, by this means, of the free use
of his muu$h foribrfy days, he was' then publicly beaten, and ex-

Jiaymond Lully. 21

pelled from the kingdom. He had no other road but to return to
Tunis, where sentqnee of death awaited him since 1292; but he
remained concealed, and in a short time went to Bugia, where
he publicly announced the Gospel.

The Mahometan doctors apprehending the success of his
preaching in that city, had him arrested, and placed in confine-
ment. They went in a crowd to the prison, to persuade him to
take the turban. The controversy lasted for some time, and
neither party were persuaded ; upon which they liberated him
from captivity, and considering him a dangerous character, who
disturbed the public peace, put him on board a vessel bound to
Genoa.

In this voyage, he was shipwrecked writhin sight Ot the port
of Pisa. He, and all on board, were saved ; but he lost his
effects, and fell sick at Pisa, where he was carefully attended by
the Dominicans. He was recovered at the time that a General
Council was held at Vienna, in 1311; and hoping to obtain
succcess in some prepositions he had to make, he attended it. It
was in this city he received letters from Edward, King of Eng-
land, who ascended the throne in 1307, and Robert, King of
Scotland, who both invited him, with much persuasion, to visit
their realms. Raymond hoped to encourage these princes to
assist him in his views against the Infidels, and he soon arrived
at London, where he had apartments given him in the tower. — ■
He promised the King to supply all necessary sums of money
for carrying his project into effect, and he was now pressed to
fulfill his proposals. Raymond accordingly transmuted base
metal into gold, which Avas coined, at the mint, into six millions
of Nobles, each worth three pounds Sterling at the present day.
These coins are -.veil known to Antiquarians, by the name of the
Hose J&oble. They prove, in the assay of the test, to be a
purer gold than the Jacobus, or any other gold coin made in
those times. Lully, in his last testament, declares, that in a
short time, while in London, he converted twenty-two tons
weight (about 50,000 lb.) of quicksilver, lead, and tin, into
Gold.

He sent to King Robert, of Scotland, a book of the art of
transmuting metals, in which he mentions a codicil sent by hiui
to King Edward, in 1312.

Robert Constantine, who wrote a History of Medicine, in 1545,
observes, that he found public documents, by which it appeared
that Raymond Lully made gold, in the tower of London, by
the order and licence of the King : and that the coin was, in
his time, called the Raymond Noble; and Dr. Edmund Dick-
enson relates, that the workmen who removed the cloister,
which Raymond occupied, at Westminster, found some of the
powder, by which they enricliecj themselves. The historian.
Camden, who was not too credulous, records, that these Rose

2$ Lives of the Adepts.

Nobles "were coined of gold made by Raymond Lullv, a*
quoted in page 242, of Borrichius's Rise and Progress of
Chemistry,

There is an argument against these facts, drawn from LulH-'s
book of The Great Art of Science, part the 9th, chapter of
Elements, in which he says, " one species of matter cannot be
changed into another ; and, that " the gold of alchemy has but
the semblance of that metal." But it is very true, that without
a similarity of species, there could be no transmutation ; and
all other appearances of it in diverse species, are fictitious. —
John de Meun, Cremer, and John Rupecissa, who were cor
temporaries of Raymond, had no doubt of his being an adept.

Raymond Lully had now a sufficient proof, that Edward, who
was governed by unworthy favourites, would not emulate his fa-
ther's heroic virtues, and instead of entering into plans for the
advancement of Christianity, Raymond found himself almost a
prisoner. He therefore fled out of England privately, in 1215,
and travelled to Messina and Majorca. Here he resolved to set
out again for Africa. His friends saw, with pain, an old man of
seventy-nine embark on this perilous voyage, from which they
could never hope to see him return. They accompanied him to
the port from whence he sailed for Egypt ; arrived there ; tra-
velled to Jerusalem, and back to Tunis ; there he found many
friends and disciples, whom he had converted. He exhorted
them to persevere, and departed for Bugia. This was the ter-
mination of his apostolic labours, and God crowned him here
with the martyrdom he had always desired. From the time
of his arrival at this city, he was not content with catechising jn
private, but publicly proclaimed the Gospel. This Christian
generosity, and invincible courage, which nothing could daunt,
irritated the Sovereign and people to such a degree, that, rush-
ing upon him in a croud, they covered him with blows; and on
hh retiring towards the port, he was overwhelmed with a shower
of stones. The night following, some Genoese merchants, whose
vessel lay in the adjacent river, obtained permission to take up
the body, which they found had some remains of life. They
carried him on board a ship then on the point of sailing. In
two days they arrived within sight of Majorca, just as the blessed
Raymond expired, on the 29th of June, 1315; he was then
£iged 8-1 years.

His remains were brought to his family chapel, in the church
of St. Ula, attended by the viceroy, and principal nobility.

The labours of Raymond are prodigious, when we observe,
that his travels, voyages, and public teaching, did not prevent
Jiim from writing five hundred treatises on various subjects, es-
pecially of grammar, rhetoric, logic, analcctic, morals, politics,
civil and canon laws, physics, metaphysics, music, astronomy,
medicine, chemistry, and theology : all have been well written
by this learned man.

Arnold Vilhinova, %3

See the testimony of Crcmer, abbot of Westminster, in The-'
atrum Chymicum, for the transmutations in England ; also, Cam-
den" s Britannia; and Selden, in Mare Ctausus, libra 3, for the Rose
Noble. Bergcman Opuscules, torn 4, p. 126. Petty Fodi/ue Re-
gales, Jor the edict of Henry VI. King of England, in letters
patent to Lords, Nobles, Doctors, Professors, and. Priests, to
engage them in the pursuit of the philosopher's stone, especially
the Priests, (says the pious King) ', who having the power of con-
verting bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, may well
convert an impure into a perfect metal.

ARNOLD VILLANOVA.

There is a contest among the learned, whether Arnold was
of Catalonia, Milan, or France ; and there is an equal doubt
respecting the time of his birth ; but it is probable he was born
about the year 1245, and died about the year 1310; for this
reason: Pope Clement V. wrote a circular letter, in 1311, at
the time of the General Council at Vienna, conjuring those who
lived under his authority, to discover, if possible, and send to
him the Treatise on Medicine, written by Arnold, who promised.
it to the Holy Father, but died before he could present it.

Arnold studied medicine at Paris for twenty years ; he then
lived ten years at Moutpellier; after which he spent not less
than ten years in visiting the universities of Italy. He even
went into Spain : but hearing that Peter, of Apono, his friend,
was imprisoned there by the Inquisition, he withdrew, and re-
mained under the patronage of Frederick, King of Naples and
Sicily, where he wrote some tracts of Medicine, and his Com-
ment on the School of Salerno. These studies and travels, for
the space of forty-five years, leaves about twenty years, for his
age, when he began, at Paris, the serious study of physic.
There is more certainty in ascertaining the time of his death ;
for, in 1309, James II. King of Arragon, sent him to Pope
Clement V. to confer respecting the title of King of Jerusa-
lem, to which James believed he was entitled; and, in 1311,
the Pope wrote the circular letter, for discovering the treatise of
the deceased Arnold, whose death is then fixed between the
years 1309, and 1311.

His Country is most probably Languedoc; for, Symphoricii
Champier asserts it, from the tradition he heard of him, during
his residence in that province, in the fourteenth century. And
the learned Olaus Borrichius, who travelled in France, assures
ns, that he knew a descendant of Arnold's, Monsieur Villeneuve
de Montpesat, one of the first barons of Provence, who, in
1664, at Avignon, made some experiments before him, that
proved he had inherited the Hermetic philosophy. He acknow-
ledged Arnold Villanova for one of his ancestors.

%t" Lives of the Adepts,

Borrichius relates, from the same authority, that die science
had been communicated by Arnold to his brother, Peter Villa-
nova.

Arnold had an extensive mind : he learned from the Arabs of
Spain, their language and sciences. He wrote strictures on the
Monastic State, and the Service of Religion; and asserted, that
works of divine faith and charity were more agreeable to God
than the sacrifice of the mass.

No one disputes his skill in Hermetic philosophy: — Not
only his works speak for him, but we have the testimony of the
celebrated Jurisconsult John Andre, his contemporary, who
says : " In this time appeared Arnold de Villeneuve, a great
theologian, a skilful physician, and wise alchymist, who made
gold, which he submitted to all proofs." " He testifies the ge-
nuine conversion of' iron bars into pure gold, at Rone" Arnold
has also the character of writing with more light and clearness
than the other philosophers. But all this wisdom did not shelter
him from the fate of mortals ; for, in travelling from Italy into
France, to Pope Clement V. who required his presence at Avig-
non, he died, and was interred at Genoa.

See Du Boiday's Hist. Paris, torn 4, p. 121, # f p. 166. Bor-
richius de ortu et progressus, chemia. 129. J. Andreas ad spi-
cidum ; Rubri de crimine falsi. Oldradius concilio, 69. Panor-
railan, decretal. Fabianus sect* 5, no. 8. Oprcris Arnoldi de
Villa Nova, Jolio 1509.

JOHN RUPECISSA.

He was one of the most extraordinary of the Hermetic Phi-
losophers. He was born of a noble family, one of whose de-
scendants was the illustrious and learned Father Don Bernard
de Montfcnicon, who was the honour of literature in his time.

John Rupeeissa was altogether out of the line of ordinary
men ; he was filled with the spirit of prophecy, and in de-
nouncing the fate of nations, the crowned heads thought him,
their enemy. Pope Innocent VI. was reprehended by him ; he
therefore imprisoned him, in 1357. The manner of his death
is not known, but he professed himself an adept in the secret che-
mistry, by several works on that science, which are printed : —
they are considered obscure.

Sec JVading Annaks Minorum, ad annum, 1357.

%b

POPE JOHN, XXII.

He was born at Cahors, in 1244-, not of a mean family, as
some writers have recorded, but of noble birth. He was co-
temporary with Lully and Arnold ; he had an acute mind, with
a sweetness of manner, and natural eloquence cultivated by
a great depth of study. Historians make no difficulty to
acknowledge that this pope wrote, in Latin, the transmutatory
art of metals; it is recorded, that he worked at the practice of
the hermetic philosophy, in the city of Avignon ; where he held
his chair until his death, which happened in 1334-, and he made
there two hundred lingots that weighed each, one quintal,

The calculation is easy; two hundred lingots made 10,000 lbs.
troy weight. The present actual value of gold on an average of
all Europe, is about five pounds ten shillings per ounce, at which
rate, 120,000 ounces is worth 660,000 pounds British sterling.

Should we then be surprised that there was found in the
treasury of this Pope at his depth, eighteen millions of florins in
gold, and seven millions in jewels, and sacred vases, as recorded
in history ?

Notwithstanding his writing a treatise on alchemy, and
making these transmutations, such was the mischief arising in his
time from the impositions of pretended alchemists, that he issued
a bull condemning all traders in this science, as imposters, stating
that they promise 'what they do not perform.

Joannes scripsit quoque latino sermone art em metallorum trans-
mutatorium, quod opus prodiit Galilee^ ingerto translatore Lugduniy
anno 1557, in Svo. Franciscus Pagi breviarium de gestis romano-
rum pontijicum torn. 4, in Joanne XXII. Xo. 88 in \to.

CREMER.

There are few nations that have produced more disciples of
occult philosophy than England. John Cremer Abbot of West-
minster London, was one of the most celebrated artists of his
ago, he worked thirty years to obtain the object of this secret
science; the obscurities of the hermetic writers, which he could
not clear up, had cast him into a labyrinth of errors ; the more
lie read the more he wandered, at last tired with the loss of his
money, and much more of his precious time, which he should
have employed to better advantage; he set out to travel; he
arrived in Italy, and had the good fortune to meet Raymond
Lull}-, with whom he formed a strict friendship, he remained
some time in company with this pious philosopher, edified by his

s

26 Lives of the Adepts.

penitent life, and instructed by the lights he drew from his con-
versation, nevertheless though Raymond conversed cordially with
the abbot, and explained himself freely, he did not entirely discover
the essential points of the operation. Cremer was insinuating
and affectionate, he perceived that Lully's zeal for the conver-
sion of the infidels extended to the false enthusiasm of exciting
open war against the mahometans, who were then spreading
throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe; he easily persuaded him to
visit England in the prospect that King Edward by his assistance
would distinguish himself in the cause he had at heart.

Raymond had in vain addressed divers princes, and as his last
resource, he accompanied his friend Cremer to England, and
lodged in his Abbey of Westminster, where he worked and
perfected the stone which Cremer had so long sought without
success. He then made no more difficulty to present Raymond to
King Edward. Cremer had informed this prince of the great
talents of the illustrious stranger, and he was received accordingly
with much regard and attention.

Raymond made these conditions only when he communicated
his treasures, " that they should not be expended either in the
luxuries of the court, or in war, with a Christian prince ; and
that the king should go in person with an army against the
infidels.

Edward, under pretence of doing honor to Raymond, gave him
an apartment in the tower of London, where the philosopher
again repeated his process; this was in reality an honorable prison,
and from the time Raymond satisfied the king in every thing he
desired, he no longer heeded the object, which Raymond was
desirous to have executed. This was enough to convince Ray-
mond that misfortune must attend a prince who evades his
promise, and penetrated with disappointment and grief, he found
means to escape from the tower and quickly departed from
England.

Cremer, whose intentions were sincere, was not less grieved
than Raymond, but he was subject to the king, and could only
groan in silence for the conduct of his sovereign. He declares
in his testament, his extreme affliction at the event, and his
monastery, daily offered up prayers to God for the success of
Raymond's cause.

Cremer lived long after this, and saw part of the reign of king
Edward the III. the course of operations which lie proposes in
his testament, with apparent sincerity, is not less veiled than the
most obscure authors.

See Museum Hermeticum, Mo. Franc. 1677.

27

BASIL VALENTINE.

In the beginning of the 15th century is placed, Basil Va-
lentine, a benedictine monk of Erfurt in Germany in the elec-
torate of Mayence, one of the most illustrious of the adept phi-
losophers. It was supposed that this name was fictitious, for the
purpose of concealing some accomplished artist. But the history
of the city of Erfurt, published by I. M. Gudenus, who carefully
examined the public documents of this city, assures us of the
existence and name of this philosopher, who in 14-13, lived in
the abbey of St. Peter, and distinguished himself by a profound
knowledge of nature ; this is all that is known of him, a few par-
ticulars only of his life are to be met in his writings.

His numerous works, which have been translated from the
German, into Latin, French, and English, shew him to have
been extremeiy laborious in chemistry, and that he knew how
to join the practice of the hermetic science, to the duties of
religion.

He' inclosed his writings behind a pillar of his abbey church,
where they remained until a storm of thunder which broke the
pillar discovered them.

The most antient system of chemical philosophy, is preserved
in the detail of experiments, by Basil Valentine : every subtance,
placed in the fire, yields a spirit, which he calls mercury, an in-
flammable principle, named sulphur, and the most fixed part, he
calls salt.

He extols antimony as the source of excellent medicines, to
those who know the secrets of alchemy, but that otherwise it is a
poison of the most powerful nature.

Eadem cctate (scilicitamo 1418,) Basilius Valentinus, in divi
Petri monasterio vixit arte medica, 8$ naturali indagatione ad?ni-
rabilis. Joannes Mauritius Gudenus in historic Erjordiensis, in
4/o. Etfurti, 1675.

ISAAC OF HOLLAND.

In the same age, Isaac the Hollander, and his son, worked
with great success: the celebrated Boerhaave, who will be acknow-
ledged a sound judge in these matters, bears testimony to their
skill. They are not only the first known Dutch alchemists, but
they carried it so far, th at Paracelsus, in the 16th century, and the
illustrious Mr. Boyle in the 17th, have the honor of many, curious
operations which they copied from these two experienced ar-
tists.

28 Lives of the Adepts.

The principle subjects of their labours were the metals, and
their writings, most of which are printed, shew with what care
they worked, describing the minute particulars of each process.
Their lives are almost unknown, buried in the obscurity necessary
to adepts, they were occupied in the practice of the hermetic
science, and their study or laboratory was the daily scene of
their industrious lives.

They are placed in the 15th century by conjecture, from their
not quoting any philosopher subsequent to that age, they speak
of Gebet, Dastin, Morien, and Arnold, but no philosopher more
modern than these appears in their works. Yet as they speak of
aquafortis, and aqua-regiae, which were invented in the 14th
age, it is most probable they lived towards the beginning of the
fifteenth century.

See Boerhaave's Elements of Chemistry, Uo. London.

JOHN DE MEUN.

This poetical adept was of a good family, and flourished at
the court of France in that age, when all people of rank were
addicted to the studvof the secret chemistry. Pope John XXII.
at this time, was one of the most zealous disciples of the curious
sciences, and above al!, of the hermeiic philosophy.

John de Meun was born about the year 12S0, at Meun upon
the Loire, four leagues from Orleans : he was sometimes called
Clopind, from a delect in one of his legs : at two or three and
twenty, he had acquired much information in the sciences of
astronomy, arithmetic, philosophy, chemistry, and theology;
he had read attentively all the best authors, and as his manners
were agreeable, though sometimes too free in satire, he became
a favourite at the court of Philip; and always had access there
from the esteem of the nobility. Pic was unmarried, and although
he was in the enjoyment of those favours, he irritated all the
ladies of the court, by his severe verses on the sex ; they re-
solved to punish him, and accordingly a number of them were
provided with rods, against he appeared in the apartment of the
king, determined to fiagJlate him, but his wit helped him out, for
addressing the ladies, he told them, he would voluntarily suffer
the inien Vd punishment; but as the verses alluded to, were
only against unprincipled itr.,ales, he did not expect disapproba-
tion from the virtuous ladies present, but would request that she
wiiom he had offended most, should have the pleasure of striking
the first blow. This finesse saved him, and afforded much plca-
to the public.

It was about this time 1300, that he published the celebrated
Romance of the Rose, which attracted general attention ; men
of pleasure read it as a voluptuous love tale, and the admirers

John Dc Meun. 29

of mccr romance esteemed it; while the adepts saw beneath the
ornament of stile, and incidents, the process for the stone for the
philosophers.

The plan of this poem is ascribed to William de Loris of Gas-
cony who wrote the first part, he died in 1260, aged 26.

The Romance of the Rose, as well as some other of the
works of John de Meun, evinced a knowledge of the hypocrisy
and vices of some monks of his time, and his remarks frequently
Drought him into danger, The Sermon of Genius, chaplain and
cc fessor to Dame Nature, in the Romance, is not only an ex-
position of the principles of chemistry, but a satire on the preach-
ers of the day, who for popular admiration, say unintelligable things
rather than plain truths. From verse 16914 to 16997 there is much
chemical information. Besides this he wrote two other treatises
expressly alchemic, which together compose 1800 verses, the
first is the M Remonstrance of Nature, to the erring Alchemist"
the other is " The Reply of the Alchemist to Nature.'"'
There is a letter in this author's name, which seems to be taken
from Raymond Lully's works, and is dated Mons, 1422. This
*hews it is not his, as his death is supposed to have been about the
year 1365. He shewed the same satirical wit. in dying, as in hi*
life, by exposing the cupidity of the monks. He chose by his
will, to be interred in the church of the Jacobins, and as an
acknowledgment, left them a coffer, that appeared to be filled
with precious things, at least by its weight; but he ordered that
this coffer should not be opened till after his funeral. The monks
failed not to raise this treasure, the moment after the funeral was
duly solemnized ; and, touched with the piety of the deceased,
they assembled in great numbers, to open the coffer, and offer
up thanks to God.

They found, to their great disappointment, that the coffer was
filled with large pieces of slates, beautifully engraved with the
figures of Geometry and Arithmetic. At this, the Fathers' in-
dignation rose, and they were about to remove his body from
their walls; but the Parliament being informed of this inhumanity,
obliged the Jacobins, by an arret, to leave the deceased undis-
turbed, in the honourable sepulchre of the cloisters of their
convent.

The famous English poet, Geoffrey Chaucer, translated the
Romance of the Rose into English verse; it is printed in folio,
with hie works.

See Thevct's Lives of Illustrious Men,

30 Lives of the Adepts.

PETER BONO.

This adept, born in Lombardy, was an inhabitant of Pola,
a seaport of Istria, where lie says he made the much desired
transmuting metal of the sages, in the year 1330, and wrote
a complete treatise on the art which he published. Lacinius, a
monk of Calabria, has printed a faithful abridgment of it.

See Mangcti Bibliotheca Chemica Curiosa, 1i\fol. Cologne, 1702.

THE MONK FERARIUS.

About the beginning of the fourteenth century, this Italian
artist gave to the world two treatises ; the first, Of the Philoso-
pher^ Stone ; and the second, The Treasure of Philosophy.
They are printed in the Theatrum Chemicum, 6 vols. 8vo.
Strasburgh, 1661.

FLA MEL.

Nicholas Flamel was born at Pontoise, in the time of
Philip, whose reign commenced in 1328. His parents were
poor, and left him little more than the house in Paris, which
he continued to possess till his death : he bequeathed it to the
Church : it stands in the Notary-street, at the corner of Mari-
vaux-street, opposite the door of St. James's church, which is
Called the Marivaux door, from the name of the street.

Flamel's father had not the means of giving him much edu-
cation. He earned a livelihood at Paris, as a scrivener, copying
deeds and writings in Latin or French. In his time, the business
of copying books employed a numerous class of persons, as
printing was not then invented.

It appears from Flamel's will, in which he is entitled a scrive-
ner, that his riches never made him change his profession. He
shewed a good natural genius, by his proficiency in painting
and poetry, as well as his acknowledged ability in chemistry.
Towards the year 1357, he became an Hermetic student, the
manner of which is best told in his own words.

M The Lord God of my life, who exalts the humble in spirit
out of the most abject dust, and makes the hearts of such as hope
in him to rejoice, be eternally praised.

Nicholas Flamd, 31

Who, of his own grace, reveals to the believing souls, the
springs of his bounty, and subjugates under their feet the crowns
of all earthly felicities and glories.

In him let us always put our confidence ; in his fear let us
place our happiness ; and in his mercy, the hope and glory of
restoration fr^om our fallen state r

And in our supplications to him, let us demonstrate, or
shew forth, a faith unfeigned and stable, an assurance, that shall
not for ever be shaken.

And thou, O Lord God Almighty, as thou, out of thy in-
finite and most desirable goodness, hast condescended to open
the earth, and unlock thy treasures unto me, thy poor and un-
worthy servant, and has given into my possession the fountains
and well-springs of all the treasures and riches of this world.

So, O Lord God, out of thine abundant kindness, extend
thy mercies unto me, that when I shall cease to be any longer
in the land of the living, thou mayst open unto me the celestial
riches, the divine treasures, and give me a part or portion in
the heavenly inheritance for ever,

Where I may behold thy divine glory, and the fullness of
thy Heavenly Majesty, a pleasure so ineffable, and a joy so ra-
vishing, which no mortal man can express or conceive.

This I entreat of thee, O Lord, for our Lord Jesus Christ
thy well-beloved Son's sake, who, in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, liveth with thee, world without end. Amen.

I, Nicholas Flamel, Scrivener, living at Paris, Anno 1399,
in the Notary-street, near S. James, of the Bouchery, though I
learned not much Latin, because of the poorness and meanness
of my parents, who notwithstanding were (by them that envy me
most) accounted honest and good people.

Yet, by the blessing of God, I have not wanted an under-
standing of the books of the philosophers, but learned them,
and attained to a certain kind of knowledge, even of their hid-
den secrets.

For which cause sake, there shall not any moment of my
my life pass, wherein remembering this so vast a good, I
will not on my bare knees, if the place will permit of it,
or otherwise in my heart, with all the intireness of my af-
fections, render thanks to this my most good and gracious
God:

Who never forsakes the righteous generation, or suffers the
children of the just to beg their bread ; nor deceives their ex-
pectations, but supports them with blessings who put their trust
in him.

After the death of my parents, I, Nicholas Flamel^ got my
living by the art of writing, ingrossing inventories, making up
accounts, keeping of books, and the like.

In this course of living, there fell by chance into my hand-,
a gilded bgokj very old and large, which cost me only two
JforenS}

33 Lives of the Adepts,

It was not made of paper or parchment) as other books arc,
but of admirable rinds (as it seemed to me) of young trees.
The cover of it was of brass ; it was well bound, aud graven all
over with a strange kind of letters, which I take to be Greek cha-
racters, or some such like.

This I know, that I could not read them, nor were they either
Latin or French letters or words, of which I understand some-
thing.

But as to the matter which was written within, it was engraven
(as I suppose) with an iron pencil or graver upon the said bark
leaves, done admirably well, and in fair and neat Latin letters,
and curiously coloured.

It contained thrice seven leaves, for so they were numbered in
the top of each folio , and every seventh leaf was without any
writing; but in place thereof, there were several images or
figures painted.

Upon the first seventh leaf was depicted, 1. A Virgin.
2. Serpents swallowing her up. On the second seventh, A Ser-
pent crucifi-ed. And on the last seventh, A Desert (rr JViUler-
?iess ; in midst whereof was seen many fair fountains, from
whence issued out a number of serpents here and there.

Upon the Jirst of the leaves was written, in capital letters of
gold, Abraham the Jew, Prince, Priest, L'vite, Astrologer and
Philosopher, to the Nation of the Jews, dispersed by the wrath of
God in France, wisheth health.

After which words, it was filled with many execrations and
curses, with this word jiarasatha, which was oft repeated,
against any one that should look into it to unfold it, except he
were either Priest or Scribe.

The person that sold me this book, was ignorant of its worth,
as well as I who bought it. I judge it might have been stolen
from some of the Jewish nation, or else found in some place
where they anciently abode.

In the second leaf of the book, he consoled his nation, and
gave them pious counsel, to turn from their wickedness and evil
ways ; but above all to flee from Idolatry, and to wait in patience
for the coming of the Messiah, who, conquering all the kings
and potentates of the earth, should reign in glory with his peo-
ple to eternity. Without doubt, this was a very pious, wise, and
understanding man."

" In the third leaf, and in all the writings that followed, he
taught them, in plain words, the transmutation of metals, to
the end that he might help and assist his dispersed people, to
pay their tributes to the Roman Emperors, and some other
things not needful here to be repeated.

" He painted the vessels by the sides or margin of the leaves,
a.nd discovered all the colours as they should arjse or appear,
with all the rest of the work.

Flamel. 33

But of the prima materia, or first matter or agent, he spake
not so much as one word : but only he told them, that in the
fourth and fifth leaves, lie had entirely painted or decyphered
it, and depicted or figured it, with admirable dexterity and
workmanship.

Now, though it was singularly well, and materially or intel-
ligibly figured and painted, yet by that could no man ever have
been able to understand it, without having been well skilled in
their Cabala, which is a series of old traditions, and also to
have been well studied their books.

The fourth and ffth leaf thereof was without any writing,
but full of fair figures, bright and shining, or as it were en«
lightened, and very exquisitely depicted.

First, there was a yofttmg man painted, with wings at his ancles,
having in his hand a Cadvcean rod, withen about with tvoct
serpents, wherewith he stroke upon an helmet covered with its
head.

This seemed in my mean apprehension, to be one of the hea-
then Gods, viz. Mercury: against him there came running and
flying with open wings, a great old man, with an hour-glr.sS
fixed upon his head, and a scythe in his hands, like Death,
with which he would (as it were in indignation) have cut off the
feet of Mercury.

On the other side of the fourth leaf, he painted a fair flower 9
on the top of a very high mountain, which was very much shaken
with the north wind. Its foot-stalk was blue, its flowers white
and red, and its leaves shining like fine gold : and round about

• GO7 -

it the dragons and griffins of the north made their nests and
habitations.

On the ffth leaf was a fair rose tree fowered, in the midst
of a garden, growing up against a hollow oak, at the foot
whereof bubbled forth a fountain of pui'e white water, which
ran headlong down into the depths below.

Yet it passed through the hands of a great number of people,
who digged in the earth, seeking after it; but by reason of their
blindness none of them knew it, except a very few, who con-
sidered its weight.

On the last side of the fifth leaf was depicted a king, with a
faulchion, who caused his soldiers to slay before him many in-
fants, the mothers standing by, and weeping at the feet of their
murderers.

These infants' blood being gathered up by other soldiers,
was put into a great vessel wherein Sol and Luna came to bathe
themselves.

And because this history seemed to represent the destruction
of the Innocents by Herod, and that I learned the chief est part
of the art in this book; therefore I placed in their church-yard
these Hieroglyphic figures, of this learning. Thus have you
that which was contained in the first five leaves.

B

34 Lives of the Adepts.

As for what was in all the rest of the written leaves, which
was wrote in good and intelligible Latin, I must conceal, lest
God being offended with me, should send his plagues and judg-
ments upon inc. It would be a wickedness much greater, than
he who wished that ail men in the world had but one head,
that he might cut it off at one blow.

Having thus obtained this delicate and precious book, I did
nothing else, day and night, but study upon it; conceiving very
well all the operations it pointed forth, but wholly ignorant of
the prima materia with which I should begin, which made me
sad and discontented.

My wife, whose name was Pcrrenelle, whom I loved equally
with myself, and had but lately married, was mightily concerned
for me, and with many words comforting me, earnestly desired
to know how she might deliver me from this trouble.

I could no longer keep counsel, but told her all, shewing her
the very book, which, when she saw, she became as v ell pleased
with it as myself, and with great delight beheld the admirable
cover, the engraving, the images, and exquisite figures thereof,
but understood as little of them as I.

Yet it was matter of consolation to me to discourse, and en-
tertain myself with her, and to think what we should do, to find
out the interpretation and meaning thereof.

At length I caused to be painted within my chamber, as much
to the life or original, as I could, all the images and figures of
the said fourth and fifth leaves.

These I shewed to the greatest scholars and most learned men
in Paris, who understood thereof no more than myself: I told
them they were found in a book which taught the philosophers'
stone.

But the greatest part of them made a mock both of me, and
that most excellent secret, except one, whose name was Anselmet
a practiser of physic, and a deep student in this art.

He much desired to see my book, which he valued more than
any thing else in the world, but I always refused him; only made
him a large demonstration of the method.

He told me that ' the first figure represented Time, which de-
vours all things ; and that according to the number of the six
written leaves, there was required a space of six years to perfect
the stone; and then, said he, we must turn the glass, and see it
no more.'

I told him this was not painted, but only to shew the teacher
the prima materia, or Jirst agent, as was written in the book :
He answered me, that ' this digestion for six years, was as it were
a sccwid agent ; and that certainly the first agent was there paint-
ed, which was the white and heavy nutter.

This, without doubt, was Argent Vive, which they could not
fix, i. e. cut off his feet, or take away his volatility, 6ave by that
torjg digestion in the pure, blood of young ittliuH*.

Flamel. 3%

For in that this Argent Five being joined with Sol and Luna,
was first turned with them into a plant, like that there painted,
and afterwards by corruption into serpents, which serpents being
perfectly dryed and digested, were made a fine powder of gold,
which is the stone.'

This strange or foreign discourse to the matter, was the cause
of my erring, and that made me wander for the space of one
and twenty years in a perfect meander from the verity; in which
space of time I went through a thousand labyrinths or processes,
but ail in vain ; yet never with the blood of infants, for that I
accounted wicked and villainous.

For I found in my book, that the philosophers called blood.
the mineral spirit, which is in the metals, chiefly in Sol, Luna,
and Mercury, to which sense I always in my own judgment as-
sented ; yet these interpretations for the most part were not more
subtle than "true.

Not finding therefore in my operation or course of the process,
the signs, at the time written in my book, I was ever to begin
again.

In the end, having lost all hope of ever understanding those
symbol* or Jigures, I made a vow to God, to demand their inter-
pretation of some Jewish priest, belonging to seme synagogue in
Spain.

Whereupon, with the consent of my wife Perrenelle, carrying
with me the extract or copy of the Jigures or pictures, I took
up a pilgrim's habit and staff, in the same manner as you see me
figured without the said arch, in the said church-yard, in which
I put these Hieroglyphic figures.

Whereupon also I have set on the wall, on both hands, the
process, representing in order all the colours of the stone, as
they arise and go away again.

This is, as it were, the very beginning of Hercules'* book,
entitled Iris, or the Rainbow, which treats of the stone, in these
words : The process of the work is very pleasing unto nature.

And these words I also put there expressly, for the sake of
great scholars and learned men, who may understand to what
they allude.

In this same manner, I say, I put myself upon my journey
to Spam, and so much I did, that I in a short time arrived at
Mountjoy, and a while after at S. James, where, with much devo-
tion I accomplished my vow.

This done, in Leon, 1, at my return, met with a merchant o„
Boulogne, who brought me acquainted with a physician, M.
Conches, a Jew by nation, but now a Christian, dwelling at Leon
aforesaid.

I shewed him the extract or copy of my figures, by which
he was, as it were, ravished with great astonishment and joy,
he desired immediately, if I could tell him any news of the book
from whence they were drawn.

36 Lizes of the Adepts.

I answered him in Latin (in which language he asked me the
question) that I doubted not of obtaining the sight of the book,

it I could meet with any one who could unfold the amigmas.

Hearing this, and being transported with great earnestness and
joy ; he began to decipher unto me the beginning : to be short,
he was much pleased, that he way in hopes to hear tidings of
the book; and I as much pleased to hear him speak and intei*-
pretit. And, doubtless, he had heard much talk of the book ;
but it was, as he said, of a thing which was believed to be utterly
lost : Upon this we resolved for our voyage, and from Leon we
passed to Oviedo, and from thence to Sanson, where we took
shipping, and went to sea, in order to go into France.

Our voyage was prosperous and happy ; and being arrived in
the kingdom of France, he most truly interpreted unto me the
greatest part of my Jignres, in which, even to the points and
pricks, he could decyphcr great mysteries which were admirable
tome. Having attained Orleans,* this learned man fell sick,
even to death, being afflicted with extreme vomitings, which still
continued with him, as being first caused by his sea-sickness :
Notwithstanding which, he was in continual fear, lest I should
leave or forsake him, which was a great trouble to him. And
although I was continually by his side, yet ho would be almost
always calling for me. At the end of 'the seventh day of his
sickness he died, which was no small grief to me; and I buried
him, as well as my present condition would permit me, in a
church at Orleans.

He that would see the manner of my arrival, and the joy of
Pcrrencllc, let him look upon us two, in the city of Paris, upon
the door of the chapel of James of the Boucfurii, close by the
one. side of my house, where we are both painted/ kneeling, and
giving thanks to God. For through the grace of God "it was
that I attained the perfect knowledge of all "that I desired.

Well ! I Lad now the pnina materia, the fir-si principles,
yet not their Jirst preparation, which is a thing most dhiieult,
above all other things in the world : but in the end I had that
ciso, after a long aberration, and wandering in a labyrinth of
errors, for the space of three years, or thereabouts, during
^hich time I did m thing but study and search, and labour, so
as you see me den;C:ecl without this arch, where I have placed my
process"; praying also continually unto God, and reading atten-
tively in my book, pondering the words of the philosophers,,
and then trying and proving the various operations, which I
thought to myself they might mean by their words. At length
I found that which I desired, which I also soon knew by the
scent and odour thereof: Having this, I easily accomplished the
magistery. For knowing the preparations of the prime agc?!ts,
and then literally following the directions hi my book, I could
rait then miss the work if 1 would.

Flamel. 37

Having attained this, I come now to projection ; and the first
time I made projection was upon Mercury, a pound and a half
whereof, or thereabout*, I turned into pure silver, better than
that of the mine, as I proved by assaying of it myself, and also
causing others to assay it for me several times. This was done
in the year of Our Lord 1382, January 17, about noon, being
Monday, in my own house, Perrenelle only being present.

Again, following exactly the directions in my book, literally,
ar.d word by word, I mauJ" projection of the red stone, on the
like quantity of Meram/, Perrenelle only being present, and in
the same house; which was done in the same year of our Lord,
viz. 13S2, April 25, at five in the afternoon. This Mercury I
truly transmuted into almost as much gold, much better, indeed
than common gold, more soft also, and more pliable.

I speak it in all truth, I have made it three times, with the
help of Perrenelle, who understood it as well as myself, because
she assisted me in my operations : And without doubt, if she
would have indeed done it alone, she would have brought the
work to the same, or full as great perfection as I had done. I
had trulv enough when I had once done it ; but I found exceed-
ing great pleasure and delight in seeing and contemplating the
admirable works of 2\ature within the vessels. And to shew to
you that I had then done it three times, I caused to be depicted
under the same arch, three furnaces, like to those which serve
for the operations of this work.

I was much concerned for a long time, lest that Perrenelle,
by reason of extreme joy, should not hide her felicity, which
I measured by my own, and lest she should let fall some words
among her relations, concerning the great treasure which we
possessed. For an extremity of joy takes away the understand-
ing, as well as an extremity of grief and sorrow : But the good-
ness of the most great God had not only given and filled me
with this blessing, to give me a sober and chaste wife, but she
was also a wise and prudent woman, not only capable of reason,
but also to do what was reasonable, and was more discreet and
secret than ordinarily other women are. Above all, she was
exceedingly religious and devout : And therefore seeing herself
without hope of children, and now well stricken in years, she
made it her business, as I did, to think of God, and to give
ourselves to the works of charity and mercy.

Before the time wherein I wrote this discourse, which was at
the latter end of the year of Our Lord 1413, after the death
of my faithful companion, whose death I cannot but lament all
the days of my life : She and I had already founded, and en-
dowed with, revenues, fourteen hospitals, three chapels, and
seven churches, in the city of Paris, all which we had new built
from the ground, and enriched with great gifts and revenues,
with many reparations in their church-yards. We also have
cone at Boulogne about as much as we have done at Paris .• not.

S5 Lives of '■ the' Adepts

to speak of the charitable acts -which we both did to particular
poor people, principally to poor widows and orphans ; whose
names should I divulge, with the largeness of the charity, and
the way and manner of doing it, as my reward would then be
only in this world, so neither could it be pleasing to the per-
sons to whom we did it.

Building therefore these hospitals, chapels, churches, and
Church-yards in this city, I '-caused to be depicted under the
Said fourth arch, the most ti ue and essential marks or sign*
of this art, yet under veils, types, and hieroglyphic covertures,
in imitation of those things which are contained in the gilded
book of Abraham the Jem : Demonstrating to the wise, and
men of understanding, the direct and perfect way of operation,
and lineary work of the philosophers' stone. Which being
perfected by any one, takes away from him the root of all sin
and evil, which is covetousness, changing his evil into good, and
making him liberal, courteous, religious, devout, and tearing
God, however wicked he was before. For from thenceforward
he is continually ravished with the goodness of God, and with
nis grace and mercy, which he has obtained from the fountain
of Eternal Goodness; with the profoundness of his divme and
adorable power, and with the consideration of his admirable*-
works."

The evidence of these things remained in 1742, according to
the testimony of Langlct du Fresnoy: first in the cemetery of
the Holy Innocents, where lie built an arch on the side of St.
Denis-street. Here were to be seen the hieroglyphic figures, on
which he wrote a commentary, or explanation Without the
arch at the side of the cemetary, in the two niches, were the
statues of St. James and St. John ; and below that of St. John
was the figure of Flamel, reading in a book, with a Gothic
JV. F. to mark his name ; but the progression of the colours,
in the order of the process, which he represented on the wall,
was then effaced.

In the same cemetery, appeared a charnel-house, or vaulted
arch, as a receptacle for the skulls or bones thrown up in dig-
ging new graves. Upon one of the pillars of this charnel,.
there was a Gothic N. F. with this inscription :

Ce charnier fut fait <$• donne a I'Eglise,
Pour V amour dc Dicu, Van. 1399.

The second of these evidences, was upon the Marivaux door,
of the church of St. James, at the Boucherie, where the figure
of Flamel, was on the left side in entering, kneeling at the
feet of St. Jacques ; and beneath was a Gothic N. The figure-
of Perrenelle was at the other side, kneeling at the feet of St.
John, with a Gothic P. On the middle was an image oi'
The Virgin.

Flamd. 2t

The third was in the street of Notre Dame, at the postal of
Genevieve, of Arden ; called in Piamel's testament Little Ge-
nevieve. There his statue was kneeling in a niche, with a
desk at his side, looking towards St. Jamesj and a Gothic
N. I. below, at the right. At the loot was • written: '-Tin's
Portal built in 1 uv_\- by the aims oi" many." By which incrip-
tion Flamel concealed that he was the principal donor.

The fourth remains of antiquity, was in the street of the Ce-
metary of St. Nicholas of the .liticls, near St. Martin's-strcet ;
where, from both sides, there was. a wall of cut stone, which
was unfinished on the left side. It was intended for an
hospital. There were many figures engraven in the stone, with
a Gothic N. F. on each side. The right side is dated 1407.

Flamel, thus piously employed in building churches, with the
great treasures winch he so i. ised, thought he

had not done enough, without leaving to posterity, the means
of acquiring the same. J le first wrote his Summary oj ' Pudo-
sophy, in French verse:, alter the example of the Romance of
the Rose, which was then much in vogue. Four years after, in
1413, he wrote the Comment on the Hierogliphies, which he
had erected, in an arch in the public street,, at the church-yard
of .the Innocents.

Approaching near the end of his life, and having no chil-
dren, he chose his burial-plaqe, in his parish church of St. James
of the Boucherie, before the crucifix; by a contract that he
made with the wardens of this church, of which he makes men-
tion in his testament. Ke then disposed of his property and
goods to the church and the poor ; as may be seen in his will,
which is lodged in the archives of St. James of the Boucherie.
It is dated the 2 2d November, 1416, and begins thus: "To
all those to whom these present letters shell come, I, Annegny
du Castel, chevalier, counsellor chambellan of the King, our
Sire, keeper of the prevot of Paris, greeting; Know ye, that
before Hugues de la Barre, and Jean de la Noe, notary clerks
of the king, at the chatclet, was established personally, Nicho-
las Flamel, scrivener, sound in body and mind, speaking clearly,
with good and true understanding," &c. It is four sheets of
parchment, which are sewed, one to the end of the other, like
the rolls or volumes of ancient writing. It contains thirty-four
articles; in the twentieth, he bequeaths to his relations the sum
• of forty livres. He lived but thrcv years after this will.

The preface to his book on the Hieroglyphics, is the last oi his
writings, and is dated 1419.

Flamel made projection in the presence of Perrenelle, in
1382; but there is a uocement of a transection which passed
between Perrenelle, her sister Isabella, end FJamel, dated llui^
January, 1397, which is lodged in the archives of St. James of
the Boucherie, by which the d?te of Perrenelle's deruh is so far
ascertained, that it is fixed between that year, and the date ei

40 Lives of the Adepts-.

his book, 14-13, in which he deplores her loss. A deed was
made by the executors of Perrenelle, his wife, the 2d of April,
1419. in which there are these words, "The late Perrenelle, wife
of the late Nicholas Flamel." There is a great appearance, from
this circumstance, that he died in March, 1419; and it is very
likely that the deed was made shortly after his death, because
he was one of the testamentary executors of his wife ; and from
the date of his preface, he was living in 1419.

Thus, the death of Perrenelle may be placed in the year
1413, and the death of Flamel in Hi 9.

The argument of Flamel's munificence, in proof of the Her-
metic science, has bpen contested by Gabriel Naude, who was
bookseller to Cardinal Mazarin, and wrote with some ability
against the Invisible Rosicrusian brotherhood ; and also, " An
Apology for Great Men suspected of Magic." He asserts that
Flamel managed affairs for the Jews, and upon their banishment
from the kingdom of France, and the confiscation of their pro-
perty for the King, he, knowing the sums due by several indi-
viduals, compromised, by receiving a part, which they paid him,
to prevent his giving information, which would oblige them to
pay the entire to the public officer. The riches acquired by
this artifice, were concealed by his pretention to Alchemy ; and
agreeable to the devotion of the times, to expiate his sin, he
built some churches and hospitals.

The testimony of Naude is considerable, as it supposes the
fact of Flamel's riches incontestiblc ; and it goes further,
proving his profession, as well as his existence ; for Naude
relates, that he saw at Rome, in the library of Cardinal Baguv,
a copy of the Romance of the Rose, written in Flamel's own
hand. But the explanation Naude gives of the source of Fla-
mel's riches, is an unfounded assertion. If we carefully ex-
amine history, there were three expulsions of the Jews from
France, between 1300 and 1420. They were banished in 1308;
wore soon after allowed to return ; and were banished again
jn 1320; this was before Flamel's birth. The Jews were re-
established by Charles V. in 1364, and they remained in quiet
until the riots in Paris, in 13S0, at the beginning of the reign
of Charles VI. when the people rose against the Jews, commit-
ted great outrages, and demanded their expulsion; but the se-
dition was quelled, and the Jews protected, until, in 1393, upon
several charges brought against them, they were enjoined to
quit France, or become Christians. The historian, Mezaray,
says, that some of them chose rather to quit their religion than
the kingdom ; others sold their goods, and retired. Thus, it
appears, that the only expulsion of the Jews that could agree
with Maude's surmise, was without the confiscation of their pro-
perty, and therefore could not give Flamel the opportunity
alleged, if indeed it were reasonable to suppose that all the

Nicholas Flamel. 41

Jews entrusted their affairs to one person, when it docs not ap-
pear that any necessity required such an agency.

It is therefore untrue, that Flainel was enriched by the pro-
perty of the Jews, or that those who owed them money, com-
pounded with Flamel, lest he should denounce them to the
king.

The simplicity and honesty of Flamel, appears, in every
line he wrote, to convince us of his innocence.

Notwithstanding the secrecy of Flamel and Perrenellc, the
report of their charities reached the King ; and the Hierogly-
phics were not forgotten, which, to some of the learned, ap-
peared Hermetical. Charles VI. reigned from 1380, to his
death, in 1422. He was naturally a good prince, but griev-
ously afflicted in health. He thought the reports respecting
Flamel so important, that he sent a confidential person, M.
Cramoisi, Master of the Requests, to enquire into it. This
magistrate went to the philosopher's house ; he found there no
appearance of affluence; a becchen platter, containing boiled
greens, was placed on a stool ; Flamel sat on one side, Perre-
nelle on the other, enjoying their humble and stlf-denying re-
past. These evidences were convincing to the courtier, and he
reported to the King, that Flamel was really indigent. He
then remained in peace and proceeded without further inter-
ruption in his munificent works of charity.

Flamel gave a quantity of transmuting powder to Perrenelle's
nephew, M. Perrier; from him it descended to Dr. Perrier, and
was found among the doctor's papers, at his death, by his
grandson, Dubois. The prudence and moderation that accom-
panied the gift to the Perriers, was not found in Dubois : he
exhibited the sacred miracle to improper persons, and was
brought before Louis XIII. in whose presence he made gold ot
base metal, and this gold, in the cupel, augmented in weight.

The consequence of all this patriotic generosity was, an infa-
mous death. His vanity was equal to his imprudence ; he fan-
cied he could make, or augment the powder, and promised to
<lo so, but did not succeed.

It is probable that he was suspected of withholding the art
from the King, a circumstance sufficient in politics, to justify
strong measures, lest the possessor of the sinews of war should
go over to the enemy.

Whatever were the charges against Dubois, he was hanged ;
and his fate should be a proof, that a science, producing un-
bounded power in riches, is the greatest misfortune to all those
who are unfit, and unprepared to manage the dangerous trust
with discretion.

As a completion to Plamel's history, it may be entertaining to
recite a very curious account, given by Paul Lucas, of an ad-
venture he had in the East, where he travelled by order of the
King of France, Louis XIV. to whom he dedicated his book.

43 Lives of the Adepts,

which should therefore be authentic. " I was at Broussa, in
Natolia, and going to take the air with a person of distinction,
came to a little mosque, which was adorned with gardens and
fountains, for a public walk ; we were quickly introduced into a
cloister, where we found four dcrvises, who received us with
all imaginable civility, and desired us to partake of what they
were eating, We were told, what we soon found to be true,
that they were all persons of the greatest worth and learning ;
one of them, who said he was of (Jsbec Tartary, appeared to
be more learned than the rest, and I believe verily he spoke all
the principal languages of the world. After we had conversed
m Turkish, he asked if I could speak Latin, Spanish, or Italian.
I told him, if he pleased, to speak to me in Italian ; - but he
soon discovered, by my accent, that it was not my mother
tongue ; and asked me frankly, what country I came from ? As
soon as he knew that. I was a native of France, lv spoke to me
in as good French as if he had been brought up at Paris. * Flow
long, Sir,' said I, * did you stay in France?' He replied, he
had never been there, but that he had a great inclination to
undertake the journey.

" I did all in my power to strengthen that resolution, and to
convince him that France was the nursery of the learned, and
the King a patron of the sciences, who defrayed1 the expense of
jny travels, for collecting notices of antiquities, drawings of
monuments, correcting maps, and making a collection of an-
cient coins, manuscripts, &c ; all which he seemed to approve,
out of pure civility. Our conversation being ended, the dcr-
vises brought us to their house, at the foot of the mountain,
where, having drank coffee, I took my leave, but with a pro-
mise, however, that I would shortly come and see them again.

" On the 10th, the dervise whom I took for an Usbeck, came
to pay me a visit. I shewed him all the manuscripts I had
bought, and he assured me they were very valuable, written
by great authors. Fie was a man every way extraordinary ir
learning; and in external appearance he seemed to be aboiu
thirty years old; but from his discourse, I was persuaded he
had lived a century.

'• lie told me lie was one of seven friends, who travelled to
perfect their studies, and, every twenty year?, met hi a place
previously appointed. I perceived that Broussa was the place
of their present meeting, and that four of them had arrived.
Religion, and natural philosophy, took up our thoughts by
turns ; and at last we fell upon chemistry, alchemy, and the
cabala. I told him all these, and especially the philosophers*
stone, were regarded by most men of sense as mere fictions.

" That,' replied he, 'should not surprise you ; the sage
hears the ignorant Without being shocked, but does not for that
reason sink his understanding to the same level. When I speak
fof a sage, I mean, one who sees all things die, and revive,

TJwmas Norton. 43

without concern : lie has more riches in his power than the
greatest king, but lives temperately, above the power of events/

" Here 1 stopped him, ' With all these fine maxims, the
sage dies as well as other people.' ' Alas !' said he, < I perceive
you are unacquainted with sublime science. Such a one as I de-
scribe, dies indeed, for death is inevitable, but he docs not die
before the utmost limits of his mortal existence. Hereditary
disease and weakness reduced the life of man, but the sage, by
the use of the true medicine, can ward off whatever may hinder
or impair the animal function"* for a thousand years.'

" Surprised at all I heard, * And would you persuade me,'
said I, ' that all who possessed the philosophers' stone, have lived
a thousand years.' He replied gravely, ' Without doubt every
one might ; it depends entirely on themselves.' At last I took
the liberty of naming the celebrated Flamel, who it was said,
possessed the philosophers' stone, but was dead. He smiled at
my simplicity, and said, with an air of mirth, ' And do you
really believe this ? — No no, my friend, Flamel is living still ; —
neither he nor his wife are dead ; It is not above three years
since I left both the one and the other in the Indies ; he is one
of my best friends !' Upon which he told me the history of
Flamel, as he heard it from himself, the same as I had read in'
his book ; until at last, when Charles VI. who was then upon
the throne, sent M. Cramoisi, a magistrate, and his master of
requests, to enquire from Flamel the origin of his riches, he saw
at once the danger he was in ; and shortly after spread a report
of his wife's death ; having sent her into Switzerland, to wait
there for him, he had her funeral celebrated ; and in a few years
lie ordered his own coffin to be interred. Since that time
they have both lived a philosophic life, sometimes in one coun-
try, sometimes in another. This is the true history, and not
what is believed at Paris, where there are very few who ever
had the least glimpse of true wisdom.

See Lucas's Travels, vol. 1, p. 79 ; and for Dubois, see Bo-
rel's Gallic Antiquities, 48$.

THOMAS NORTON.

The first syllables, of the preface, and of the six first chapters
of the Ordinal of Alchemy, with the first line of the seventh.
discovers the anonymous author to be

Tomais Norton^ of Bn'seto,

A parfel mmtir ye mate him trowe.

44; Lives of the Adepts.

He wrote in 1477. John Pitts, in De Ulustr. Aug!, script,
page 666 and John Bale Dc Script Br. Gent. 2 fol. 67, write
that this Thomas Norton was Alchemista suo tempore peri
tissimus !

Norton relates, that he obtained the knowledge of alchemys-
try, from an adept. He describes him, possessed of a noble
mind, worthy of all praise, loving justice, abhorring fraud ;
secret in the midst of talkative company; unassuming; and es-
pecially when the conversation turned on alchemy, he said no-
thing on the subject. To him, Norton applied for a consider-
able time, in vain ; the adept proved him by various trials, and
at length being satisfied of his disposition, manners, habits, and
strength of mind, his love yielded to Norton's fidelity, and in
answer to one of his letters, he wrote as follows:

" My trusty and well beloved brother,

"I shall not any longer delay; the time is come; you shall
receive this grace ; your honest desire, and approved virtue,
your love, truth, wisdom, and long perseverance, shall accom-
plish your sorrowful desires.

" It is necessary, that, as soon as convenient, we speak to-
gether, face to face, lest I should, by writing, betray my trust.
I will make you my heir and brother in this art ; as I am setting
out to travel in foreign countries. Give thanks to God, who,
next to his spiritual servants, honours the sons of this sacred
science."

Norton lost no time in pursuing the journey, upwards of one
hundred miles, on horseback, to the abode of the adept ; and
there he continued forty days, receiving the advice and directions
of his friend.

He was highly prepared by previous study, not only in the
course of philosophy that prevailed at the time, but in the most
occult and curious sciences. He was now fully satisfied in the
disclosure of ' the bonds of nature,' which convinced him of the
truth and certainty of the art, by the reasonableness of it, and
he had no doubt of success. At this time Norton was but tiventy-
eight yea; s old, which the adept noticed, when refusing to teach
the process from the white to the red powder, lest his youthful
passions might misuse so great a gift ; but in due time, after
further proofs of his capacity and prudence, he communicated
the work of the medicinal stone.

The chemical operations of Norton met with two signal disap-
pointments : he had nearly perfected the tincture, when his own
servant, who was employed about the furnace, supposing the
prize was complete, carried it away. He repeated the process
again, and made the elixir ^*but it was taken from him by the
wife of William Canning, viMayor of Bristol, who built the
splendid church and lofty steeple of St. Mary's, RadclhT, and
augmented the college of "VVestbury, wear Bristol.

Tlwmas Dallon. 4£

It is doubtful whether Norton attained to enjoy the fruits of
his knowledge, as he does not speak of his own transmutations.
His family lived in high respect under King Henry VIII. There
were nine brothers of the name of Norton, all of them knights.
The tomb of Sir Sampson Norton, at Fulham- church, near
London, was adorned with Hermetic paintings; he was master
of ordnance to the King, and died in 1517.

Samuel Norton, the author of several alchemical books,
quotes Thomas Norton, and speaks of his own great grand-
father, as an alchemist ; that he commanded, a hood of leather
with glass eyes to be used, when distilling a perilous volatile
•vapour, that the breathing may be drawn by a tube from below.
This direction is given by Thomas Norton, in his ordinal, page
10t, * ordaine therefore to fetch breath from your footed lest an
incurable corrosion of the lungs, and blindness may ensue from
the potent gas that escapes at opening the vessels, or by inse-
cure lutement, where the furnace is unfortunately not placed
under a spacious funnel of ventilation.

See Wever's Funeral Monuments, 526. Ca?nden,s Britannia,
538. Isaacson's Chronicle, 467. Godw. 367. Ashmo/e's
Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum.

THOMAS DALTON.

The only account of this British adept, who lived in 1450,
is preserved by Thomas Norton. He was a religious man, of
good report ; and upon suspicion that he had a large mass of
transmuting powder, he was taken from his abbey, in Glouces-
tershire, by Thomas Herbert, one of the squires of King Ed-
ward, and being brought into the royal presence, he was con-
fronted by Del vis, another of the King's squires, to whom
Dalton was formerly a chaplain. Delvis alleged, that Dalton,
hi less than half a day, made him a thousand pounds of good
gold; and he attested the fact upon oath. Then Dalton, looking
at Delvis, said, ' Sir, you are forsworn.' Delvis acknowledged
he had vowed to him, that he would not reveal the benefit
he received, but that for the King's sake, and the good of the
commonwealth, he ought not to keep the oath. Dalton now-
addressed the King, and told his Majesty, that he had received
the powder from a canon of Litchfield, on a promise not to use
it until after his death ; and since then, he had been in so much
danger and disquiet by the possession and charge of it, that he
had destroyed it secretly. The King dismissed Dalton, giving
him four marks, to pay his travelling expenses where he would ;
but Herbert lay in wait, and brought him to Stepney, and from
thence secretly conveyed him to the castle of Gloucester; irfceirt

46 Lines of the Adepts.

every means, were tried In vain, to induce him to make the phi-
losophers' tincture.

After four years imprisonment, Dalton was brought out to be
beheaded, in the presence of Herbert. He obeyed, with re-
signation and joy, saying, 'Blessed art thou, Lord Jesu ! I have
been too long from you ; the science you gave me, 1 have kept
without abusing it ; I have found no one apt to be my heir,
whereibrc, sweet Lord, I will render thy gift to thee again.' —
Then, after making devout prayers, with a smiling countenance,
he desired the executioner to proceed. Herbert's eyes gushed
tears to see him so willing to die, and that nothing could force
the secret from him. He gave orders to let him go. His im-
prisonment, and threatened execution were designed without
the King's knowledge, to intimidate him into a compliance :
and these iniquitous devices having failed, Herbert dared not to
take away his life. Dalton rose from the block with a heavy
countenance, and departed to his abbey, regretting his stay in
a world of wickedness. Herbert died shortly after this atrocious
act of tyranny, and Delvis came to an untimely end ; his father.
Sir John Delvis, was slain in the battle at Teuxbury, May 4,
1471 ; and two days after, he was taken from the church, where
he fled for sanctuary, and was beheaded,

See Norton's Ordinal, c/i. 2. Stop's ^Innate, page 424.

BERNARD TREVISAN.

Af.out the time that Basil, in Germany, and the two Isaacs
in Holland, were prosecuting their labours successfully, Bernard
Trevisan began to study this venerable science. Hit. father was
a physicuin, of Padua, where Bernard was born, in 1406. His
alchemical errors, of which he gives an account, are, perhaps,
the most curious anecdotes in the history of occult chemistry.

It only requires a little cupidity, to be attracted to a science
that promises immense riches. Bernard Trevisan, either from a
taste for science, or from a love of wealth, at fourteen years of
age, eagerly gave himself up to this pursuit.

The first book that fell into his hands was Rhasis; he believed
that he should find in it a method to encrease his patrimony an
hundred fold. He began to operate; and in four years, that
he spent in useless trials, lie expended not less than 800 crowns,
at that time a considerable sum. Tired of throwing away his
time and money, he begun to read, and addicting himself to the
study of Getter, who, in the multitude of preparations, is a la-
bvrinth to the unexperienced . he expended 2000 crowns in
experiments on his proce s, not knowing the character of the
$ubtk-"mtted Geber. He was then surrounded by pretended phi-

Bernard Trevisan. 47

losophers, who, seeing lie was rieh and curious, proffered various
secrets, which, perhaps, they did not possess, that tliey might
obtain a living. The herd of false alchemists, in all ages,
have been a public nuisance, by their impositions on the cre-
dulous, who expend their fortunes on their extravagant pro-
mises, and imposing experiments.

He was not discouraged by all this; he still hoped to succeed,
by following, according to the letter, the treatises of sbchclc-Ks,
Jtupeciskdy and Sacrobosco, and to encrease his light, he associ-
ated himself with a good monk : they worked in concert three
years ; they rectified spirit of wine more than thirty times, till
they could not find glasses strong enough to hold it. Their
operations cost them near 300 crowns.

He had already for twelve years worked, in vain, to dissolve,
congeal, and sublime common salt, salt armoniac, all sorts of
alums, and copperas; he even proceeded upon ordure, both of
men and beasts, by distillation, circulation, and sublimation.
These labours consumed, in the twelve years, altogether, about
7000 crowns. This money was not all spent on the laboratory,
a part of it fell to the share of the pretended artists by whom he
was beset, who promised to draw the mercury from plants,
herbs, and animals.

At last, discouraged by so much expense and time lost, he
set himself to pray to God to discover to him the aim of al-
chemistry. He worked again, with a magistrate of Ills countn^
upon sea salt ; he rectified it for eight months, without finding
any alteration in its nature. The little success he drew from
this last process, made him change his plan : as he knew artists
who worked with strong waters, he tried whether these dis-
solvents would succeed with him ; he made proof upon silver,
and common mercury, but it was always with the same success.
Being now in the prime of life, about forty-six years of age, he
set out to travel in search of true alchemists : the first he found
was a monk of Citcaux, named Geoffrey Leuvrier, with whom
he worked on hen eggs, even to the calcination of the shells. —
To conclude ; after eight years of the most laborious operations,
all the good he received, was, to know the best way of building
furnaces, and distilling strong waters. He, after this, knew a
a theologian, who was prothonotary of Bruges, in Flanders, with
whom he worked for fourteen months, to distill copperas with
vinegar : by this process he got a quartern fever.

At last,' says he, ' I was informed, that Mr. Henry, confessor
to the Emperor, Frederick III. had the secret of the philoso-
phers' stone.'

He immediately set out for Germany, accompanied by some
unhappy sons of Hermes, like himself: they contrived to be
introduced to the confessor; and began to work, in conjunction
with him. Bernard contributed ten marks of silver, and the
others put thirty-two, fxoru whjch they expected, in a few days,

48 Lives of the Adepts.

to have one hundred at least ; but after their rectifications, and
distillations, instead of increase, they could only recover six of
their forty-two marks. This journey cost Bernard two hundred
crowns ; and as he had passed the fifty-eighth year of his age, it
was time then, either to renounce his pursuit, or obtain the
secret of the adepts.

His disappointments and regret, after losing so many years, at
such a considerable expense, had almost put an end to his wan-
derings; he was, for two months, resolved against further search,
but a ray of hope still kept his cupidity alive, and he set out
again: he travelled into Spain, passed to Rome, went through
Greece and Turkey, Palestine, Persia, Egypt, Rhodes; he ar-
rived at Messina ; returned to France, passed into England ;
travelled to Scotland, and returned to Germany. In every
country he found many alchemists at work; but of those who
worked with success, he could not be informed. The true phi-
losopher*' did not chuse to make themselves known, while the
impostors, who soon hear of credulous and rich searchers, pre-
sent themselves on all sides. Bernard expended in these tra-
vels, and in false operations, about 13,000 crowns, and was
obliged to sell a possession that yielded him 8,000 German
florins yearly. He was now sixty-two years of age; and as he
had been deaf to the prudent remonstrances of his family, he
saw himself despised, as soon as he fell into misery. He en-
deavoured to conceal his poverty from human sight, and fixed
on the Isle of Rhodes, to live entirely unknown. Neverthe-
less, neither his misfortunes nor his indigence cured him ; he
renewed his pursuit, on meeting with a monk who was addicted
to it. They repeated their errors ; and to enable them to go on,
Bernard had 8000 florins remitted to Rhodes, by an agent who
knew his family, but who, very likely, was ignorant of his po-
verty, or the pursuit he was engaged in.

He laboured with this monk hi the dissolution of gold, of
silver, and of corrosive sublimate ; and he did so much in three
years at this work, that he expended the fund he raised for the
purpose. Disconcerted by tins new failure, he amused himself
by reading all the great authors, such as Arnold Villanova<
Mary the Prophetess ,- The Turba ; and The Great Rosary :
this was his only consolation : he passed eight years in these new
reveries ; thus he was nearly seventy-three. It was very late in
life to hope for success in the Hermetic science, it was time to
think of something more serious; yet he professes, that it was at
tins time he found the secret. By comparing the adepts, and ex-
amining in what things they agree, and in what they differ, he
judged the truth lay in those maxims wherein they were unani-
mous; he informs us, nevertheless, that it was two years before
he put it in practice.

It was a. feeble consolation, after uselessly consuming a con-
siderable property, during more thaii sixty years, in which he

Fontaine. — Ripkyr 40

was exposed to extreme misery, and obliged to become an exile,
to conceal his poverty, that he attained the prize when he was
at the age of seventy-live years, and life almost gone. Yet he
lived some years alter, in the enjoyment of his success-, not-
withstanding the infirmities of old age, increased by, the toils
and perils of his life.

Bernard ha6 left but few works behind him. The Natural
Philosophy of Metals, or Secret Work of Chemistry, appeared
originally in French, and contains much salutary counsel against
imposters ; but the Parting Word, and his Letter to Thomas of
Boulogne, first physician to King Charles VIII. lead the under-
standing artist into the door of the secret chemistry.

Some authors erroneously believe him a German, and call
him Bernard of Treves ; the best informed writers stile him
Compte de la Marche Trevisane. It appears he died in 1490,
aged 84> years. After his death he had a much better reputation
than while living, being so much esteemed^ as to be generally
called the good Trevisan.

^v

JOHN FONTAINE.

The life of this artist is littje known, being chiefly in his
closet or laboratory, and living much secluded from the world ;
he was considered a visionary, and was either writing verses, or
attending his furnaces. He lived at Valenciennes, in 1413. —
His Hermetic poem, To the Lovers of Science, was printed
many times; it is curious, and the author professes himself an
adept.

SIR GEORGE RIPLEY.

This celebrated philosopher, at an early age, entered among
the regular canons of Bridlington, in the diocese of York. The
tranquillity of a monastic life, gave him a favourable opportu-
nity to read the works of all the great masters in the Secret-
Chemistry ; but grieved at not being able to understand them,
he resolved to travel, persuading himself, that he should dis-
cover, in the conversation^ of philosophers, what he could not
comprehend from books.

In Italy, France, and Germany, he became acquainted with
several learned men, and had the happiness to see a transmu-
tation performed at Rome. He went to Rhodes, where, it ap-
pears, from a document found in Malta, that he gave .£100,000
to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. He was dignified by
the Pope, which, on bis return to Bridlington, excited the

50 Liven of the Adepts.

jealousy of his brethren ; in consequence of their disquietude, lie
entered into the order of Carmelites, at ButoJph, in Lincoln-
shire; and by an indulgence from Innocent VIII. he obtained
permission to live in solitude, exempt from claustral observance ;
he now had uninterrupted leisure, and wrote twenty-five books
of science, among other devout studies.

He wrote the Twelve Gates of Alchemy, in 1471 ; and de-
clares, that any experiments written by him, from 14-50 to
1470, should be discredited, as he wrote than from theory, and
found afterwards, by practice, that the}' were nirtfne. Hence
it may be concluded, that he was twenty years obtaining the
science. He died at Butolph, in 1 490.

PARACELSUS.

No man, in his time, had more adversaries, and none had
more zealous disciples than Paracelsus. Lie was born at Ho-
henheim, two miles from Zurich, in Switzerland, in 1494. His
father, who was a physician, had a large collection of scarce
and curious books, and was eminent in his profession : from
him Paracelsus received the first rudiments of his education;
and when he was able to form a judgment of medicine, he was
employed, under his father, in the study of that science. As
soon as the young philosopher had discovered a volume of Isaac
Holland's, in his lather's library, he was inflamed with the am-
bition of curing diseases by medicines, superior to the Materia
then in use. He performed several chemical operations, accord-
ing to the books of Isaac, and adopted, from his writings, the
ancient principles, that a spiritual salt, mercury, and ivlpkw.
form a trinity in every substance: this system he enlarged, and
explained according to his own lights. After a course of study,
in which he imbibed all his father's extensive learning, and ex-
perience, he was placed under the tuition of Trithcmiu-, abbot
of Spanheim, to improve his knowledge of the scientific lan-
guages, and the classics.

Cornelius Agrippa, the former pupi) of Tnthemius, had
written to him on occult philosophy, and what was called natural
magic, thai is, the doctrine of sympathy and antipathy, in
the vegetable, anima!, and mineral kingdoms; which principles
have been since extended to explain the motion of the planets,
in the Newtonian system of attraction and repulsion ; the or-
ganization of plants by sexes ; and lately, Professor Davy has
discovered the foundation of chemistry, in the negative and po-
sitive electricities, on the same two principles. From Tri-
themius's love of occult learning, Paracelsus acquired the ca-
bala of the spiritual, astral, and material worlds. He was after-
wards placed under the care of Sigismcnd Hugger, to be ire-

Paracelsus. 51

proved in medicine, surgery, and chemistry; and, at twenty
years of age, lie travelled in Germany and Hungary, visiting
the mines with the most persevering industry and application,
until he acquired every information lie wanted from the miners,
encountering, for this purpose, various dangers, from earth-
quakes, falls of stones, floods, exhalations, damps, heat, hunger
and thirst.

He now extended his travels to Muscovy, and was taken
prisoner by the Tartars, , who brought him before the Great
Cham. At this court he became a favourite, from his know-
ledge in medicine and chemistry. He was sent from thence, in
company with an embassy, to Constantinople, in the twenty-
eighth year of his age. It was here, as J. B. Helmont relates,
that he was taught the secret of alchemistry, by a generous
Arabian, who gave him the universal dissolvent, which he calls
azot, death, or that whieh putrifies, or alcahest, the spirit, which
is the sophic fire ; the key to alchemistry, a science named
from the Arabic chom, and Hebrew churn, heat, meaning the
mystery of heat.

At his return from Turkey to Germany, he practised a*
surgeon in the Imperial army, and performed many wonderful
cures. He also professed internal medicine, which, in a short
time, he reformed from the system of Galen, by the successful
use of chemical medicines. He was invited to take the profes*
sor's chair for medicine and philosophy, in the university of
Basil, celebrated at that time, 1527, by having Erasmus pro-
fessor in theology, and Oporinus in Greek classics.

At his first lecture, Paracelsus burned the works of Galen in
a brass pan, with sulphur and nitre. The majority of physicians
were, of course, enemies to his innovations, before the value of
mineral medicines was proved; and he retorted their persecution
with vehemence. He invited the faculty to a lecture, in which
lie promised to teach the greatest secret of medicine : he com-
menced, by uncovering a dish, which was placed before him ; it
contained excrement ; the doctors, indignant at this insult,
hasted out of the room ; while Paracelsus cried out, ' If you
will not hear the mysteries of putrefactive fermentation, you are
unworthy of the name of doctors.'

Oporinus' says, he never seemed sober while he knew him,
during three years, until he resigned his chair, declaring the
Latin language unfit for the purposes of philosophy. A singu-
lar adventure obliged him to quit Basil altogether: A canon of
the cathedral was in extreme sickness ; all the physicians forsook
him, as incurable. Paracelsus saw him, and promised to restore
him* to health : the canon gratefully expressed himself, as one
who would feel the obligation, and make large recompencc ; —
txvo pills performed the cure ; but it was no sooner effected, than
the canon undervalued it, and contended against the claim of
the doctor.— He had been cured too soon. -^-Paracelsus com-

52 Livei of the Adepts.

plained to the magistrates of the town, who awarded a very mode-
rate fee, in proportion to his short attendance. He publicly in-
veighed against their injustice, and went to live at Strasburgh,
where he remained but a short time, as he became fond of an itine-
rant life, lodging at the public inns, and drinking to excess, and
performing admirable cures. At length he fell a sacrifice to his
intemperance, in the forty-eighth year of his life. He died on a
bench, by the kitchen fire of the inn, at Strasburgh, the 24th of
September, 154-1. His processes in occult chemistry are impracti-
cable to the student who is unacquainted with his alcahest ;
his fertility of invention combined this secret universal spirit
with various substances, forming innumerable degrees of elixirs,
and alchemic dissolvents, for medical purposes. The adept who
lias obtained the great object of alchemistry, is then only pre-
pared for the school of Paracelsus.

Oporinus, the learned professor of Basil, attended Paracelsus
with all the assiduity of a servant, for the purpose of acquiring
some of his secrets : he relates, than when apparently drunk,
he drew his sword, and forced him to write as he dictated : —
Oporinus obeyed, and wondered much at the coherency of the
language, and the wisdom of the matter, which wouid become
the most sober philosopher.

With respect to the art of making gold, Oporinus says,
that he often saw him in want, borrowing money of carmen
and porters; and the next day he would repay them double,
from a fund that could not be discovered. His early death
is considered by some, as an argument against the elixir of
health ; and by others, a proof that he was poisoned. The
poison of intemperance and irregular living, is sufficient, par-
ticularly to one who takes the powerful metallic medicine, which
is an elixir, in its best state, that cannot withstand the judg-
ments of God ; but, on the contrary, heightens the physical
consequences of habitual sins against nature, by accelerating
dissolution in the conflict of opposite principles.

The name Paracdsus, is used to avoid his length of names,
Philip Aureolus Theophrastus Paracelsus Bombastus, of Hohen-
heim, is an unwieldy title. His disciples add to it, "The prince
of physicians, and philosophers, by fire; the Trismegistus of
Switzerland : reformer of chemical philosophy ; Nature's faith-
fill secretary; master of the elixir of life, the philosophers*
stone, and great monarch of chemical secrets."

The system of alchemistry, to be collected from the writings of
Paracelsus, and his commentators, is very simple. In the first
place is the alcahest, or spirit of nature, uncompounded; it i*
one i in decomposable, universal, mild attraction, passive and im-
jyotent, until by an alchemical combination, with any other matter,
it produces in the union, a new substance, of prodigious power,
according to the nature of the matter with which it is com-
bined : these preparations are dissolvents, transnmters, and m$-

r,-7

Paracelsus. v*

vicinal elixirs. Beneath this monad, or principle of simple
unity, is placed the binary distinction- of all nature, in a mild
or harsh attraction and repul$io)i. This sexual class of nature
is not a pure distinction ; the male is partly feminine, the fe-
male is partly masculine There is some acid in alkali, some
repulsion in attraction, some oxygen in hydrogen, some salt in
sulphur, some fire in water, some earth in air ; but that all na-
ture may be classed by its predominant state, of positive or ne-
gative, .in: the universal principle of electricity, has been lately
proved.

The next classification of nature is the trinity, a mild or hard
mttradion, repulsion, and circ laiion ; a recondite salt, mer-
curial spirit, and sulphur; in these principles, as before, each
one contains a part of the other two. Each division ot the
quaternity is still farther removed from simplicity; the great vi-
sible masses of earth, air, and water, are infinitely decomposable;
and the fourth element of heat, is equally various in its nature:
it is produced by the equilibrious conflict of the binary principles,
and. partakes of the nature of its origin, in the three principles,
or four elements ; but with less apparent predominancy of their
qualities, because its birth is in equilibrium ; there is, however,
a grand distinction of dark red from the saline predominancy,
and the production of light from the class of oils, fats, &c.
which belong to the sulphureous principle; cold, hot, dry, moist,
are the characters of the four elements.

The mineral kingdom has the monad in the most powerful
combination, forming an universal transmuting metal, that
changes all other metals, minerals, and prepared elements, into
gold. The binary class is gold and silver, distinct, by their
perfection, from the other five ancient metals. They have their
embryo minerals, antimony to lead, cinnabar to quicksilver,
eobalt to iron, marcasite to gold, vitriol to copper, zinc to tin,
white marcasite and arsenic to silver ; each metal contains other
metals, and each mineral assists the others in forming metals ;
their first being is a volatile spirit, attracting a liquid form.

MIRANDOLA.

John Picus, Earl of Mirandola, a prodigy of learning, was
born in 1463 ; he was the pupil of Jochanan, a Jew, who in-
structed him in the cabalistical writings ; he was called by Sca-
liger, monstrum sine vitio; his numerous works were printed at
Strasburgh, with those of his nephew4, the Prince of Mirandola,
•in 1504; and the following epitaph is on his tomb :

Hie situs est Picas Mirandola, cater a norunt,
Lb- Tagvs. et Ganges, forsan et antipodes.

54 Lives of the Adepts.

When he was twenty-four years of age, he published 900
propositions, in logic, mathematics, physics, divinity, and the
cabala, collected from Greek, Latin, Jewish, and Arabian
writers. At twenty-eight, he confined himself to the study of
the Scriptures.

This illustrious personage who makes the following relation,
had studied exactly all the branches of philosophy, and was
convinced of the success of Hermetic operations. He writes,
in his book De Auro, lib. 3, cap. 2. < I come now to relate what
I have seen of this prodigy, without veil or obscui'ity. One of
my friends, who is now living, has made gold and silver more
than sixty times in my presence. I have seen it done in divers
manners ; but the expence of making the silver, with a metallic
water, exceeded the produce.

In another instance, the same author writes : * A good man,
who had not a sufficiency to support his family, was reduced to
the last extremity of distress; with an agitated mind he went to
sleep one night, and, in a dream, saw a blessed angel, who, by
some enigmas, taught him the method of making gold, and in-
dicated to him, at the same time, the water he should use to
succeed. At his awaking, he proceeded to work with this
water, and made gold in small quantity, but sufficient to sup-
port his family. He twice made gold of iron, and four times
of orpiment. He convinced me, by the evidence of my own
eyes, that the art of making gold is not a fiction.

CHARNOCK.

Thomas Charlock was born in the Isle of Thanct, in the
year 1524. He eails himself an unlettered scholar, and student
in astronomy and philosophy. He practised surgery ; but did
not know much Latin ; yet it appears that he was famed in the
neighbourhood of Salisbury, where he lived, for his accomplish-
ments in the liberal sciences. He had two masters in alchemy,
the first was Sir James S , a priest, dwelling in the clois-
ters, near Salisbury, who informed Charnock, that he did not
derive his knowledge from any living adept; but by reading and
meditation on the words of the ancients, he discovered the prin-
cipal secret of alchemy, as he lay in his bed ; and accordingly
succeeded in making the silver powder.

The other master who instructed Charnock, was a blind man,
led by a boy, whom he accidentally discovered at an iim, among
other travellers, by a few words of the occult chemistry, which
he perceived in his conversation. As soon as the company had
retired, Charnock entered int ocloser inquiries, and requested to
be instructed in natural philosophy ; — to this the adept objected,
a* he did not know him : — lie said, he would render up his
knowledge to God, who gave it, if he did not meet one Char-

Char nod: 5s

nock, the fame of whose learning and charity had reached him.
At these words Churnotk made himself known, and the old
man discoursed with him for an hour, during which time he
found him expert in all questions of the sacred science, tie
promised Charnock, that if he made a vow, not to reveal the
secret for gold, preferment, or through affection for great men,-
but only at dying, to one nho WflS truly devoted to the search of
Nature; he would make him the heir of his knowledge. Ac-
cordingly, the next Sabbath-day, they received the Sacrament
together; and then withdrawing into the middle of a large
field, the boy was sent away out of hearing, and in a few
words the blind man uttered ' the mystery of mineral prudence*
He renewed these conversations for nine days, disclosing the se-
t-rets of alchemy; and related his own private history, acquainting
Charnock that his name was William Biro, that he had been
a prior of Bath, and defrayed the expence of repairing the
abbey church, from the treasure he made by the red and white
elixirs. At the suppression of the abbey, he concealed the in-
estimable powder in the wall, and returning in ten days, it was
gone ! He found some rags in the place where he had left it! —
This misfortune almost deprived him of his senses ; he wandered
about, and lost his sight. He was, therefore, unable to repeat
his process, and travelled through the country, led by a boy.
He had received his Hermetic knowledge from a servant of
Ripley's. At the time of this communication, Charnock was
twenty-eight years old ; and in two years after, his first master
fell sick, while attending his furnace, for the completion of the
red stone. He sent for Charnock, made him the heir of his
work, and giving him instructions how to proceed, he died.

Charnock commenced his operations on these materials, and
was much perplexed by the difficulty of keeping the fire equal.
He often started out of hi* sleep to examine the fuel; but after
all his care for some months, in one hour after he had left all
safe, the frame of wood that covered the furnace, took fire, and
when he smelled the burning, and ran up his laboratory, he dis-
covered that his work was completely destroyed; this was Jan. 1,
1 555. To repair the mischief, he was obliged to begin from the
first part of the process ; he hired a servant to assist in taking
care of the fire. In the course of two months he was filled with
hopes of success ; when, his dependance on his servant, proved
the ruin of his work: he discovered, that this unfaithful assistant
would let the fire near out, and then, to conceal his neglect,
kindled it with grease, till it was so hot as to scorch the matter
beyond recovery. In the third attempt, Charnock resolved to
proceed without help. His fire cost him three pounds a week,
and he was obliged to sell some rings aud jewels to maintain it :
he made good progress in the course of eight months, and ex-
pected to be rewarded in ft little time for all his labours; but at

36 Zivts of the Adepts.

this critical period, he was impressed to serve as a soldier, at
the siege of Calais, in a war with France. Furious with disap-
pointment, he took a hatchet, smashed his glasses, furnace, and
apparatus, and threw them out of the house.

He wrote his Breviary of Philosophy, in 15.3-7, and the
Enigma of Alchemy, in 1572, .with a Memorandum, dated
1574*. when he was fifty years old, in, which he declares his
attainment of the gold-making powder, when his hairs wvn-
white;

DENNIS ZACHARY.

Guiennk, in France, was the native place of this gentleman,
who was born of a good family, in J 510. After his early studies
in his paternal house, he was sent to Bourdeaux, to study Phi-
losophy, under the care of a tutor, who was, unfortunately, an
erring alchemist. Dennis was soon caught in the contagion of
his example and conversatiozis on this subject ; and finding some
young men equally credulous with himself, they proceeded in
.company, to collect some experiments, out of such books and
manuscripts as they could obtain, on the science of transmu-
tation. As vet, he only indulged the pleasure of conversing on
these agreeable reveries ; but having been sent to Toulouse, to
.study law, still accompanied by the same tutor, they proceeded
to make several experiments.

Two hundred crowns, with which they were supplied, for two
years maintenance in this city, were soon expended in the cost
of furnaces, instruments, and drugs, to execute the processes,
which they took literally from their books. The great result^
promised, seduced them ; they believed that the plain language
used, was the mark of truth; not knowing, that the adepts are
never so much concealed, as in the literal description of a pro-
cess, which they design to be understood only by a master, while
the allegories teaching general principles, are the most candid
instructions to improve the novice. " Before the end of the
year," he relates, " my two hundred crowns were gone in smoke,
and my tutor died of a fever he took in summer, from his close
attention to the furnace, which he erected in his chamber, and
stayed there continually in extreme heat. His death afflicted me
much, and still more, as my parents refused to supply me with
money, except what was just necessary for my support. I was
therefore unable to proceed in my grand work."

" To overcome these difficulties, I went home, in 1535, be-
ing of age, to put myself out of guardianship; and I disposed
of some of my property for four hundred crowns. This sum
was necessary to execute . a process, which was given to me in

Dennis Zachary. 57

Toulouse, by an Italian, who said he saw it proved. I kept him
living witli me, to see the end of his process.

We dissolved gold Slid silver in various sorts of strong wa-
ters ; but it was all in vain ; and we did not recover one half of
the gold and silver, out of the solution, which we had put into
it. My four hundred crowns were reduced to two hundred and
thirty, of which I gave twenty to the Italian, to proceed to
Milan, where, he said, the author of the process lived ; and he
was to return with Ins explanations. I remained at Toulouse
all the winter, waiting for him ; and I should have been there
still, had I waited for this Italian, as I never heard of him since.

In the ensuing summer, the city being visited by the plague,
I went to Cahors, and there continued for six months. I did
not lose sight of my work ; and became acquainted with an old
nr.an, who was called ' the philosopher,' a name given in the
Country to any one of superior information. I communicated
to him my practices, and asked his advice : he mentioned ten
or twelve processes, which he thought better than others. I re-
turned to Toulouse, when the plague ceased, and renewed my
labours accordingly ; but the only consequence was, that my
money was all spent, except one hundred and seventy crowns.
To continue my operations with more certainty, I made an ac-
quaintance with an Abbe, who dwelt in the neighbourhood of
this city. He was taken with a passion for the same pursuit as
myself; and he informed me, that one of his friends, who lived
■with the Cardinal Armanac, had sent a process to him from
Rome, which he believed genuine, but that it would cost two
hundred crowns. I agreed to furnish one half of this sum, and
he gave the rest ; so we began to work together. Our pro-
cess required a large supply of the spirit of wine. I purchased
a cask of excellent wine, from which I drew the spirit, and rec-
tified it many times. We took two pounds weight of it, and
half a pound weight of gold, which we had calcined for a
month ; these were included in a pelican, and placed in a fur-
nace. This work lasted a year:— but not to remain idle, we
made some other experiments, to amuse ourselves, from which
we expected to draw as much profit, as to pay the cost of our
great work.

The year 1537 passed over, without any change appearing in
the subject of our labours : we might have been all our lives in
the same state; for we should have known, that the perfect:
metals are unalterable by vegetable or animal substances : we
took out our powder, and made projection upon hot quicksilver,
but it was in vain. Judge of our grief ! especially as the Abbe
had notified to all his monks, that they would have to melt the
lead cistern of their house, in order that he might convert it.
into gold, as soon as our operations were finished.

.My bad success could not make me desist ; I again raised fonr

li

58 Lives of the Adepts.

hundred crowns on my property; the Abbe did the same, and
I set out for Paris, a city containing more alchemists than any
Ojtner in the world. I resolved to remain there as long as the
S00 crowns lasted, or until I succeeded in my object. This
journey drew on me the displeasure of my relations, and the
censure of my friends, who imagined I was a studious lawyer. —
I made them believe, that the design of my remaining in Paris,
was to purchase a situation in the law courts.

After travelling for fifteen days, I arrived in Paris, January
1539. I remained a month almost unknown: but no sooner
had I visited the furnace-makers, and conversed with some
amateurs, than I became acquainted with more than a hundred
artists, who were all at work in different ways. Some laboured
to extract the mercury of metals, and afterwards to fix it. A
variety of systems were held by others ; and there was scarce a
day passed, in which some of them did not visit me, even on
Sundays, and the most sacred festivals of the church, to hear
what I had done.

In these conversations, one said, * If I had the means to be-
gin again, I should produce something good.' — Another, * If
my vessel had been strong enough to resist the force of what it

contained,' Another, ' If I had a round copper vessel, well

closed, I would have fixed mercury with silver.' There was
not one but had a reasonable excuse for his failure,* but I was
deaf to all their discourses, recollecting my experience, in being
the dupe of similar expectations.

I was, however, tempted by a Greek, on a process with cin-
nabar :— it failed. At the same time I became acquainted with
a strange gentleman, newly arrived, who often, in my presence,
sold the fruit of his operations to the goldsmith;?. I was a long
time frequenting Lis company, but he did not consent to inform
me of his secret. At last I prevailed on him ; but it was only a
refinement of metals, more ingenious than the rest. I failed not
to write to the Abbe, at Toulouse, enclosing a copy of the pro-
cess of the stranger ; and imagining that I had attained some
useful knowledge, he advised me to remain another year at Paris,
since I had made so good a beginning:.

After all, as to the philosophers' stone, I succeeded no better
than before. I had been three years in Paris, and my money
nearly expended, when I had a letter from the Abbe, acquaint-
ing me that he had something to communieate, and that I
should join him as soon as possible.

On my arrival at Toulouse, I found he had a letter from the
King of Navarre, (Henry) who was a lover of philosophy. He
requested that I should proceed to Pan, in Berne, and meet him
there, to teach him the secret I had from the stranger at Paris ;
and that he would recompense me with three or four thousand,
crowns. The mention of this sum exhilirated the Abbe, and he
never let me rest till I set out to wait on the Prince, I arrived

Dennis Zachary. 59

at Pau, in May 1542. I found the Prince a very curious per-
sonage. By his command I went to work, and succeeded, ac-
cording to the process I knew. When it was fIni.M'.cd, I ob-
tained the recompense which I expected. Bat ,". ■'.■:■ the
King wished to serve me further, he was dissuaded by the i.
of his court, even by those who had engaged me to cbine to him.
He sent me back with great acknowledgments, however,
siring me to see if there was any thing in his states would gratify
me, such as confiscations, or the like, and that he would
give them to me with pleasure. These promises, which meant
nothing, did not lead me to have courtiers' hopes. I returned
to the Abbe, at Toidousc.

On my road, I heard of a religious man, who was very skilful
in natural philosophy : I went to visit him : he lamented my
misfortunes; and said, with a friendly zeal, that he advised me
to amuse myself no longer with these various particular ope-
rations, which were all false and sophistical ; but that I should
rather pei~use the best books of the ancient philosophers, as well
to know the true matter, as the right order that should be pur-
sued in the practice of this science.

I felt the truth of this sage counsel ; but before I put it in
execution, I went to see my friend at Toulouse, to give him an.
account of the eight hundred crowns, that we had put in com-
mon, and to divide with him the recompense I had received
from the King of Navarre. If he was not content with all I
told him, he was still less, at the resolution I had taken, to
discontinue my operations. Of our 800 crowns, ^e had but
86 left. I left him, and went home, intending to go to Paris,
and to remain there until I was fixed in my theory, by reading
the works of the Adepts. I came to Paris in i5*6, and re-
mained there a year, assiduously studying the Turbo, of the
Philosophers ,• the good Trevisan ; the Remonstrance of Nature;
and some other of the best books. But as, I had no jirst prin-
ciples, I knew not on what to determine.

At length I went out of my solitude, not to see my old ac-
quaintances, the searchers after particular tinctures, and minor
works, but to frequent those who proceeded in the great pro-
cess, by the books of the genuine Adepts. I was, nevertheless,
disappointed herein, by the confusion and disagreement of their
theories, by the variety of their works, and of their different

operations. Excitecl by a sort of inspiration, I gave myself

up to the study of Raymond Lullij, and Arnold de Villanova. —
My reading and meditation continued another year. I then
formed my plan, aud only waited to sell the remainder ot my
land, to enable me to go home, and put my resolutions into
practise. I commenced at Christmas, 1549, and after some
preparations, I procured every thing that was necessary, and I
began my process, not without inquietude, and difficulty. A
friend said tg me, * What are you going to do ? — have you not

60 Lives of the Adepts.

lost enough by this delusion ?' Another assured me, that if I
continued to purchase so much coal, I would be suspected of
counterfeiting the coin, of which he already heard a rumour. —
Another said, I should follow my business of a lawyer. But I
was chiefly tormented by my relations, who reproached me bit-
terly with my conduct ; and threatened to bring the officers of
justice into the house, to break my furnaces in pieces.

I leave you to judge my trouble and grief at this opposition.
I found no consolation, but in my work, which prospered from
day to day, and to which I was very attentive. The interrup-
tion of all cot merce, which was occasioned bv the plague,
gave me the opportunity of great solitude, in which. I could, un-
disturbed by interruption, examine with satisfaction, the suc-
cession of the three colours, which mark the true work. I thus
arrived at the perfection of the tincture, and made an essay of
its virtue, on common quicksilver, on Easter Monday, 1550. —
In less than an hour it was converted into pure gold: — You may
guess how joyful 1 was : but I took care not to boast. I thanked
God for the favour he shewed me, and prayed that I should be
permitted to use it only for his glory.

The next day I set out to iind the Abbe, according to the
promise we gave each other, to communicate our discoveries. —
On my way, I called at the house of the religious man, who as-
sisted me by his good advice. I had the grief to find, that both
he, and the Abbe, were dead about six months. However, I
did not go back to my house, but went to another place, to
wait for one of my relations, who I had left at my dwelling* I
sent him a procuration to sell all that I possessed, both house
and furniture, to pay my debts, and distribute the remainder
to those in want among my relations. He soon after rejoined
me, and wc set out for Lausanne, in Switzerland, resolved to
pass our days without ostentation, in some of the celebrated
cities of Germany."

Such is the account Zachary gives of himself, expressly to
prevent the same misfortunes occurring to others : and the re-
sult of his success, after twenty years labour, is, that he became
an exile, unknown, except by his book on the Natural Philu*,
sopjnj of Metals.

BEIIMEN,

Jacob Beiimen may be considered, Jirst, ns a teacher of. the ■

true ground of the Christian Religion. Scco/idlij, as a discoverer
of the false, anti-christian church, from its first rise in Cain,
through every age of the world, to its present state, in all and
every sect, of the present divided Christendom. Tliirdly, as a
guide to the truth of all the mysteries of the kingdom of God.

Bchmen. 61

In these three respects, which' contain all that any one can pos-
sibly want to know, or learn from any teacher, lie is the
strongest, the plainest, the most open, intelligible, awakening,
convincing writer, that ever was. As to all these three matters,
he speaks to every one in the sound of a trumpet. He may fur-
ther be considered, fourthly, as a relater of depths opened in him-
self, of' wonders Which his spirit had seen and felt. When his
books first appeared in English, many persons of this nation, ot
the greatest wit and abilities, became his readers; who, instead
of entering into his one only design, which was, their own re-
generation, from an earthly, to a heavenly life, turned chemists,
and set up furnaces to regenerate metals, in search of the phi-
losophers' stone. And yet of all men in the world, no one has
so deeply, and from so true a ground, laid open, the exceeding
vanity of such a labour, and utter impossibility of success in it,
from any art or skill in the use of fire.

This author esteems not merely his own outward reason, but
acknowledges to have received a higher gift from God ; freely
bestowed upon him, and left in writing for the good of those
that should live after him. And in his writings, he has dis-
covered such a ground, and such principles, as reach into the
deepest mysteries of Nature ; and lead to the attaining of the
highest, powerful, natural wisdom : such as was among the phi-
losophers, Hermes Trismegistus, Zoroaster, Pythagoras, Plato,
and other deep men, both ancient and modern, conversant in
the mysteries of Nature.

These principles lead to the attaining such wisdom as was
taught in Egypt, in all which learning Moses had skill ; to the
wisdom which was taught in Babylon among the Chaldeans,
Astrologians, Wise-men, or Magi, who saw the star that led
them to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, where they saw the Child
Jesus, and worshipped, and so returned ; — Avhom God him-
self was pleased to warn, and direct them what to do.

This ground discovers the way to attain, not only the deepest
mysteries of Nature, but Divine wisdom, Thcosophy, the wis-
dom of faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, and
the evidence of things not seen with the outward eye. This
wisdom brings our eyes to see such things, as Moses saw in the
mount, when his face shone like the sun, that it could not

be beheld : such things as Gehazi saw, when his master,

Elisha, prayed that his eyes might be opened, his inward eyes,
for his outward were open before ; — and then he saw the
angels of God. Such things as Stephen saw, who said that the
heavens opened, and Jesus sat at the right hand of God ; and
his face shone like the face of an angel at his stoning. And
Paul, who was caught up into the third heaven, and heard
things not lav ful to utter.

Such wisdom as this, sees and knows all mysteries; speaks
«H tongues, of men and angels ; — and the language of Nature,

C2 Lives of the Adepts.

by which Adam named all the creatures in Paradise. This wis-
dom can also do all miracles.

Jacob Behmen was born in Old Seidenberg, near Goerlitz,
in German Prussia, in 1575, of poor, but honest and sober pa-
rents. He tended cattle with other boys of the village ; and
retiring one day into a cave, in the rock called Landscrown,
he saw a large wooden vessel full of money, from which he re-
tired without touching it. He informed his companions of it,
but they could not again discover the- entrance. Some years
after, a foreigner arrived, who took it away— but he died a
shameful death — the treasure having been covered by a male-
diction to the covetous.

Behmen was sent to school, until he was of sufficient age to
be apprenticed to a shoe-maker. While he attended in the
shop, an old man, of good mein, entered, took him by the
hand, and with sparkling eyes and angelic countenance, said,
' Jacob, thou art little, but thou wilt be the wonder of the
world ! Fear God, and reverence his word.' At this he de-
parted ; and Behmen from thenceforth, became more serious
and devout.

In 159S and 1600, he was surrounded with the Divine light
for several days, he saw the virtue and nature of the vege-
table world, by the signature of the plants, as he sat in a field :
his looking on a plate of tin, was sufficient to inflame the glory
of the light within him. From this time he wrote several
books of the inward manifestation of Theosophy, until he died
in 1624, aged fiilv.

The first book was Aurora, the day-spring, or the dawning of
the day in the East, or morning redness in the rising of the sun,
the root or mother of philosophy, from the true ground. A de-
scription of nature; how all was, and came to be, in the be-
ginning; how creatures proceeded from nature, and the ele-
ments. The two qualities of evil and good. How all things are,
and work, at present. How all will be, at the end of this
time. What the condition is, of the kingdom of God, and
the kingdom of hell ; and how men work and act, according to
either of them.

2. The three principles of the Divine essence. Of the
eternal, 1st, dark, 2d, light, and 3d, temporary world ;shewing
what the soul, the image and spirit of the soul are ; also, what
angels, heaven, and paradise are. How Adam was before the
fall, in the fall, and after the fall. And what the wrath of
God, sin, death, the devils,>and hell are. How all things
have been, now arc, and how they shall be at the last.

3. The high and deep searching, of the three-fold life of man,
through, or according to the three principles, shewing what is
eternal and what is mortal. Why God, who is the highest
good, has brought all things to light. How one thing is
contrary to, and destroys another. What is right and true,
or evil and false.

JRelimcn. 63

4. Forty questions concerning the soul. Whence it proceeded
at the beginning. What its essential nature is. How it was cre-
ated in the image of God. What, and when was the breathing
of it in. Its form. Power; if corporeal; if propagated ; how
nourished with the word of God. If a new soul is without sin.
How sin enters the soul. How united with God. How it de-
parts at death. Whither it goes. How remains till judgment,
if it is conscious of the world and friends it left. What is its
glorification. What is the state of the damned. What is the
soul of the Messiah. Where is paradise.

5. Of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Of
the Virgin Mary ; what she was, from her original ; and what
kind of mother she came to be, in the conception of her son
Jesus Christ ; and how the Eternal word, is become man. Of
Christ's sufferings, death, and resurrection, and how we may
enter thereinto. Of the tree of Christian iaith, shewing what
true faith is.

6. Mysterium Magnum : an explanation of the first book of
Moses, called Genesis ; treating of the manifestation of the
Divine word, through the three principles of the Divine es-
sence ; and of the original of the world, and of the creation,
wherein the Kingdom of Nature, and the Kingdom of Grace,
are explained, for the better understanding of the Old and New
Testament; and what Adam and Christ are; and how man
should know himself; what he is, and wherein his temporal,
and eternal life consists ; and his eternal blessing and cori^
demnation.

7. Four tables of Divine revelation, signifying what God
himself is, without nature ; and how considered in nature, ac-
cording to the Three Principles. Also, what heaven, hell,
world, time, and eternity, are ; together with all creatures,
visible and invisible ; and out of what all of them had their
original.

8. Signatura Rerum : the signature of all things ; shewing
the sign and signification of the several forms and shapes in.
the creation ; and what the beginning, ruin, and cure of everv
thing is. It proceeds out of eternity into time, and again, out
of time into eternity, and comprizes all mysteries.

9. Of the election of grace ; or, of God's will towards man,
called predestination. A short declaration of the highest ground;
shewing how a man may attain Divine skill and knowledge. An
Appendix of Repentance; the key which opens the Divine
Mysteries.

10. The way to Christ: of true repentance, resignation, re-
generation, and the supersensual life. How man should stir up
himself in mind and will ; and what his earnest purpose and
consideration . must be. How man must daily die in his own
will in self; how he must bring his desire into God; and what,
he should ask and desire of God. How he must spring up out

64: Lives of the Adepts

of the dying, sinftil man, with a new mind and will, through
the spirit of Christ. "What the old man and new man are ; and
what either of them is in life, will, and practice. How lie that
earnestly seeketh salvation, must suffer himself to be brought
out of the confused and contentious Babel, by the spirit of
Christ, that he may be born anew in the spirit of Christ, and
live to him only. How the soul may attain to divine hearing
and vision; and what its childship in the natural and super-*
natural life is; and how it passeth out of nature into God, and
out of God into nature and self again ; also, what its salvation
and predestination are. Of the way one soul should seek after
and comfort another, and bring it into the paths of Christ's pil-
grimage. The way from darkness to true illumination.

11. The four complexions, choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic,
melancholy ; a consolatory instruction for souls in the time of
temptation.

12. Of holy baptism: how it is to be understood ; and why a
Christian should be baptized. Of the Holy Supper; what it is?
the effects of it, and how to be received: from the true theo-
sophical ground.

15. Six Points: of the tree of life generated by each of the
three principles. Of the mixed tree of evil and good; how the
three principles are united, and work together. Of contrariety
in the life. How the good and holy eternal life springeth
through all the generations of the three principles, and is ap-
prehended of none of them. Of Perdition : how a life perish-
eth, passing out of love and joy into misery. Of darkness,
where the devils dwell. Six points : of the blood and water of
the soul. Of the election of grace, or predestination : of good
and evil. Of sin ; what, and how it is. How Christ will de-
liver up the kingdom to the Father. What the Magia is.
What the Mystery is.

14. The Divine Revelation, in answer to thirteen Theosophic
questions. What God is, distinct from nature and the creatures.
What is the abyss of all. Of God's love and anger. Of what
w ere angels created ; their office ; why created 1 What moved
Lucifer to his fall, and how it was possible ; why not prevented.
What was the strife between Michael and the dragon. Of the
counsel or wisdom of God conceivable by man. How Lucifer is
•without God, &c.

15. Of the earthly and heavenly mystery in one another ; and
how the heavenly is revealed in the earthly.

16. Of the true ground of right praying.

17. Of the Divine Vision; how all is from, through, and in
God. How God is near all, and fillcth all.

18 to 23. Five books in defence and explanation; two ad-
dressed to Tylken, two to Stitfd, and one to Richtcr.
i24. Sixty-three letters.

Behmen. 65

To Paul Keym, he wrote the 14th of August, 1620, of
Alchemy :

" You have undertaken a very hard labour, which doth
nothing but perplex, eat up, and consume your life; it is
wholly needless ; there need no literal demonstration ; the
Holy Ghost is the key to it ; there is no need of such hard
labour and seeking; seek only Christ, and you lull Jind all
1 /tings."

" The philosophers' stone is a very dark disesteemed stone,
of a grey colour, but therein lieth the highest tincture ; take
before you only the earth, with its metals, &c."
To Dr. Steenberger.

" The seal of God lieth before it, to conceal the true ground
of the same, upon pain of eternal punishment, unless a man
knew for certain that it might not be misused ; there is also no
power to attain to it ; no skill or art availeth, unless one give
the tincture into the hands of another, he cannot prepare it,
except he be certainly in the new birth.

" It doth not <cost any money, but what is spent upon the
time and maintenance, else it might be prepared with four
shillings.

" The work is easy, the art simple; a boy of sixteen years
might make k ; but the wisdom therein is great, and the great-
est mystery. "

These lines were copied from MS. in a volume oj his works.

Whate'er the Eastern Magi sought,
Or Orpheus sung, or Hermes taught,
Whate'er Confucim would inspire,
Or Zoroaster's mystic fire ;
The symbol's that Pythagoras drew,
The wisdom God-like Plato knew ;
What Socrates debating proved,
Or Fjpictetus lived and loved ;
The sacred fire of saint and sage,
Through ev'ry clime, in every age,
In Bellmen's wonderous page we view,
Discovered and revealed anew.
" Aurora" dawned the coming day,
Succeeding books meridian light display.
Ten thousand depths his works explore,
Ten thousand truths unknown before .
Through all his works profound, we trace,
The abyss of nature, God, and grace.
The seals are broke, the mystery's past,
And ail is now reveal'd, at last.
The trumpet sounds, the spirit's given,
And Behmen is the voice from Heaven.
i

$6 Lives of the Adepts.

ALEXANDER SETHON.

None of the adopts suffered from imprudent exposure of their
power more than the subject of this article. lie was a native of
Scotland, and passed into Holland in 1602; — He remained some
time at Erkusen, with James Haussen, a seaman, who h;id re-
ceived hospitable attention at his house, when his ship was the
year before, wrecked on the coast of Scotland. Haussen saw
his guest with astonishment, make several transmutations in his
house; he was bound in gratitude and friendship to a faith fill se-
crecy, but he did not think there was any risk in mentioning the
circumstance to Dr. Vanderlinden, of Erkusen, the town where
he lived. The physician being a man of integrity and prudence,
Haussen did not scruple to give him a piece of the gold, on
which he engraved the date and year of the transmutation,
13th March, 1602, at four o'clock : — This piece was seen in the
hands of the Doctor's grandson, by George Morhoff.

Sethon proceeded thro' Germany to Basil, where he made
transmutations : from thence he went to Saxony ; and having
incautiously exposed himself to some persons who informed the
Duke ; this prince considering he had a living treasure in his
hands, imprisoned him in a tower, guarded by forty soldiers, who
had strict orders to keep a constant watch on him. As it was in
vain that the Elector used persuasions to obtain the philosopher's
secret; he now tried if he could prevail by rigorous means, which
were encreased with severity, in proportion as Sethon was ob-
stinate.

All species of torture were tried, even the application of fire,
and by turns, every intrcaty was used j but nothing could con-
quer the firmness of Sethon.

There was then at Dresden a Moravian gentleman, named
Michael Sendivogius, a resident at Cracovia, in Poland; he
was a searcher after the philosophers' stone ; and being inte-
rested for Sethon, obtained liberty to visit him. After several
interviews, he proposed to aid him in making an escape : to
which Sethon consented, and promised him assistance in his
pursuit of alchemy. A6 soon as the resolution was formed,
Sendivogius went, and sold his house, where he had lived, in
Cracovia, and returning to Dresden, he made good cheer with
his friend, and also treated the soldiers to the same. At length
the day arrived, in which his plan was ready for execution ;
he regaled t)ie guards better than usual, and when they were
all drunk, he brought Sethon out, to a post-chaise, in which
they proceeded without discovery; first calling at Scthon's
house, to get from his wile the powder oi' transmutation, and
then, without delay, travelled out of the Electorate of Saxony.

Michael St'ndivoghts. f>7

Sendivogius now reminded Setlion of his promise, and the
philosopher gave him mi ounce ftf the powder, which, he said,
was sufficient, if he knew how to use it, but with respect to the
manner of making, or of multiplying it, 'you see/said he, 'what
1 have suffered; mv nerves are shrunk, my limbs dislocated,
emaciated to an extremity, and my body almost corrupted;
even to avoid this, I did not disclose the secrets of philosophy !'
Sethon did not long enjoy his liberty; he died in 1604, only
two years after he left his peaceful dwelling in Scotland..

MICHAEL SENDIVOGIUS.

Sendivogius, who was now about thirty-eight years of
ngc, had the desire of making a great fortune, by discovering
the method of making a powder, such as he had received from
Sethon, or at least to augment it. He married the widow of
Sethon ; she knew nothing of the process, but had the manu-
scripts of the twelve treatises, and the dialogue which was
written by Sethon. In the mean time, Sendivogius made
projections, and wasted his money in extravagant living; making,
no secret of what he possessed. At Prague, he presented him-
self to the Emperor Rodolph II. and in presence of several
lords of the court, the king himself made gold by projection,
he then appointed Sendivogius to be a counsellor of state; and
had a marble tablet inscribed — ' Facial hoc quispiam aluis quod
fecit Sendivogius Polomis.' This was set up in his chamber, in
the castle of Prague, where it remained so late as 1742.

These facts were followed by his printing, at Prague, the
treatise written by Sethon, under the name of Cosmopolita ;
it generally passes for the work of Sendivogius, as he included
his name, by anagram, in the motto, ' Divi Leschi genus amo /
and gave no information of the real author. The tract on
sulphur, printed at the end of the book, was written by Sendi-
vogius, under the anagram ' Angelas doce mi hi jus.'

He was travelling through Moravia, and a Count of that
country, who heard of his operations at Prague, and suspected
he had abundance of the transmuting powder, imprisoned him
secretly, with a threat, that he should never be liberated, until
he communicated his treasure. Sendivogius being a skilful
artist, and fearing the fate of Sethon, obtained some matters,
with which he cut through the iron bar that crossed the
window of his dungeon, and making a rope of his clothes, he
escaped, almost naked, out of the power of the little tyrant,
whom he summoned to the- Emperor's court, where he was con-
demned to be fined: a village on his estate was confiscated, and
given to Sendivogius, who afterwards gave it as a dower with,
his. daughter, at her marriage.

68 Lives of the Adepts.

At this time the ounce of powder was nearly spent; apart,
of it was lost, in attempting to multiply it, in various ways. —
His fondness for good living, and his debaucheries, expended
large sums, which he obtained from a Jew at Cracovia, who
disposed of his gold ; and seeing that, he bad as yet tried no-
thing of the virtue of his powder in medicine, he put all that
remained of it into rectified spirit of wine, with which he
astonished the physicians, by the marvellous cures he per-
formed. Desnoyers, secretary to the Queen of Poland, had
a medal, which was dipped, red-hot, into this spirit, before
SigisBiund III. King of Poland, and it was transmuted from
silver into gold. The elixir cured the same king of a very
grievous accident. In this manner the entire ounce was ex-
pended. And now Sendivogius, sanguine in the hopes of suc-
ceeding in the process, though without any property left, to
bear the charges of it, commenced the infamous trade of ob-
taining money from the opulent, to be applied in the service of
their cupidity. The Marshal W'olski, of Poland, gave him
6000 francs, which he expended, and produced nothing but
smoke and cinders. He was next employed by Mcnizok, the
Palatine of Sandemira, who also gave him 6000 francs; lie
•paid 3000 of these to the Marshal Wolski, and went to work
with the remainder; but the result was only disappointment. —
Notwithstanding the character he had, by birth, arid the ac-
quirements of learning, he was so besotted and depraved, as to
become a deliberate impostor. He silvered a piece of gold, and
feigning that he had the elixir, made the silver disappear, by a
rhemicai separation, which he imposed on the ignorant, as a
projection of the tincture, converting silver into gold.

The relation of his life, by his confidential servant, Bodorvski,
explains this deception as a finesse, to conceal his real character,
having learned from experience the necessity of defending him-
self from the violence of covetous men. He sometimes feigned
poverty, or lay in bed, as one attacked with the gout, or other
•sickness ; by these means he removed the general suspicion that
lie had the philosophers' stone ; preferring to pass for an impos-
ter, rather than a possessor of unlimited riches.

He frequently travelled in a servant's lively, and concealed
most of his red powder in the footstep of his chariot, making
one of his servants to sit inside.

He kept some of the powder in a small gold box, and with
a single grain of it, converted so much mercury into gold, as
sold tor five hundred ducats.

He was at his castle of Groverna, on the frontiers of Poland
and Silesia, when two strangers came to visit him; one was
old, the other young ; they presented him with a letter having
twelve seals ; he said lie was not the person they sought ; they
announced themselves _as a deputation from the Jiosicntsiart

Gustenhover. 69

Society ; he replied to their address, that,' ** concerning certaia
-tones of- the philosophers, lie did not know what it meant;"
however, lie conferred with them on philosophy, in general. —
They offered to initiate him in their fraternity, which lie de-
clined, lie died at Groverna, in lb'46, aged 84, having been
Counsellor of .State to three Emperors, Itodolph, Alatthius,
and Ferdinand.

His only child was a daughter, who married a captain in the
army, against the wish of her father. lie left her nothing but
the treatise he wrote, " Of Salt," which he would not print in
his life-time, lest it should renew the troubles he experienced
from the publicity of his character.

See Mangel's Proof of the Transmutation at Basil, 1603, in
the preface to his ('hemic Library ; and Wedelius's Testimony,
quoted by Manget, that some of this gold was seen by him in

the family of Zwingert in that city. See Desnoyers' Letter,

( Langlet's History) in proof of a silver crown piece, partly
converted into gold btfore King Sigismund- III. of Poland.

Borel, in his Galic Antiquities, recounts, that he, pith many
others at Paris, saw this crown piece, and he describes it as
partly gold, so far only as it was steeped- in the elixir, and- the
gold part was porous, being specifically more compact than in its
former state in silver : there was no appearance of sold t ring, cr
the possibility of any deception. See MorJwff epistola ad Lange-

iQlU-tU.

GrSTENHOVEK.

There was a goldsmith, named Gustenhover, living at Stras-
burgh, in 1603. In a time of great peril, he gate shelter to a
good religious man; who, on leaving his house, after a con-
siderable stay, presented his humane host with some trans-
muting powder, and, departing on his journey, was heard of
no more.

Gustenhover imprudently made transmutations before many
persons. It was soon reported to Itodolph II. who Was an
amateur of alchemy. He wrote to the magistrates of Stras-
burgh, directing them to send the goldsmith to him forthwith.
They immediately attended to the Emperor's orders with zeal,
arrested the man, and guarded him with vigilance from the
possibility of escape. When they informed him, that the in-
tention of his imprisonment was, to send him to Prague, to the
Emperor, he immediately understood the business, and invited
the magistrates to meet together, desiring thorn to bring a cm-

10 Lives of the Adepts.

cet anil charcoal, and (without his approaching) to molt some
lead, for which purpose they used some musket balls • he then
handed them a little red powder, which they cast into the
melted lead, and the result of their calcination was pure gold.

See PfcilmanN preface, vol.6 ; Theatrum Chcm : and Mauget's
C hemic Library.

BU.SARDlER.

The few particulars recorded of this adept, were preserved
in consequence of the celebrity of his successor. He dwelt at
Prague, with a lord of the conrt, and, falling' sick, he per-
ceived his death was inevitably approaching. In this extremity,
he wrote a letter to his chosen friend, Richtausen. at Vienna,
requiring him to come, and remain with him in his last mo-
ments. On the receipt of this letter, Richtausen set out, and
travelled with all expedition ; but he had the mortification, oil
his arrival at Prague, to find that the adept was no more. Pic
enquired diligently if he had left any thing ; and he was in-
formed by the nobleman's steward where he lodged, that he
Lad left a powder, which lie shewed to Richtausen, and said,
his master had desired him to keep it safely, but, for his part,
he did not know the use of it. Upon this information, Rich-
tausen adroitly became possessed of the powder, and departed.
But tlic nobleman, on hearing of the transaction, threatened
to hang his steward if he did not recover the powder. The
steward, judging that no one but Richtausen could have taken
it, pursued him, well aimed : and tracing him on the road, he
had an interview, in which he presented a pistol to his breast,
telling he would shoot him, if he did not restore the powder,
Richtausen, seeing there was no other way to preserve Iris life,
acknowledged he had the powder, and would restore it. Ac-
cordingly he did so in appearance; but, by an ingenious con-
trivance, he kept a considerable quantity of it out of the parcel.
He was now possessed of a treasure, the merit of which was
fully known to him. He presented himself to Ferdinand III.
This Emperor, who began to reign in 1G37, was an alchemist.
Pie took every precaution, aided by Count Russe, his mine-
master, in making projection, with some of the powder given
him by Richtausen. lie converted three pounds of mercury
into gold, with one grain. The force of this tincture was, one
upon iy,470. The Emperor caused a medal to be struck,
fix. Apollo, with the caduceus of Mercury ; the motto, "Divina
metamorphosis cxhibita Prague?. Jan. 15, Anno 1648, in j>r<s

John Dee. 71

tsntia : Sac : Cits ; Ma/cst : Ferdinandi J\trtii.n On tlio reverse
*' Maris luec at howinibus est ars ; ita raru in lucan ]>rodit lau-
drtur Dcus in- tcternum, qui partem siuc injinitce potent id nobis
suis abjectissimus crcaturis communicat." — He also ennobled
Itichtausen, by the title of Baron Chaos.

Among many other transmutations made by the Baron's
powder, was one by the Eleetor of Mayence, in lo'58. His
Highness made projection with all the precautions possible to
a learned and skilful philosopher ; it was with a little button,
like a small onion, covered with gum tragacanth, to retain the
powder: he put this button into the wax of a taper, which
was lighted, and then put this wax into the bottom of a
crucct ; he poured thereon tour ounces of quicksilver, and put
the whole into the fire, covered with charcoal, above, belovr,
and around ; then they began to blow to the utmost, and in
about half an hour they removed the coals, and saw that the
melted gold was rather too red, as it is usually green. The
Baron said, that the gold was yet too high, and it was neces-
sary to put some silver into it. The Elector took some pieces
of silver out of his pocket, and put them into the melting pot,
and having poured out the entire, in perfect fusion, into a
lingot, when cool, he found it was very fine gold, but rather
hard, which was attributed to the lingot ; when it was melteci
again, it proved very soft; and the Master of the Mint declared
to his Highness, that it was more than 24 carats ; he had never
seen such fine gold.

See Wedelius's Preface to Philaletha. Monconia $ Travels,
"2nd vol. 379th page. Zwelf'er Pharmacopoeia, p. 1. ch. 1. Philip
Jacob in Manget, p. 19 ti.

JOHN DEE.

Among some instances, proving that the possession of the
philosophers' stone would make a rich man poor, and a weak
man immoral, the life of Doctor Dee, affords a striking ex-
ample. The historian Camden calls him ' Nobilis Muthema-
ticum'. He wrote 49 books, eight of them were printed. His
library contained 4000 volumes, 700 of which were ancient MS.
in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and other languages. At an early
age, he had a superstitious veneration for those branches of thj
cabala, which are exploded by Christianity; and this led him,
throughout his life, into incredible errors. lie associated in
these pursuits with Edward Kelly, whose clear understanding,
and quick apprehension in matters of philosophy, made the
Doctor overlook his irascible temper, and irreligious chnrack r.

Tf Lives of the Adepts ,

Kelly was born at Worcester, in 1555. He was a notary, living
in London. Dr. Dee lived in the neighbourhood of the
city, in a cottage at Mortlake ; He had taken out his degree,
Arthim Magister, at Cambridge, April, 154-8.

It is said, but without sufficient authority, that Kelly was
prosecuted at Lancaster, for falsifying an ancient ilccd, and was
condemned to have his ears cut off. He retired, however,
to Wales, .and lodged at an obscure inn. During his stay
there he learned from the inn-keeper, that the tomb of
a wealthy Bishop, in a neighbouring shire, was supposed
to contain his riches : the tomb was opened : but the
only discovery made, was an old book, and two small
bottles of ivory : one of these was broken, and it contained
a heavy red powder, without scent ; the other bottle was
used as a toy by the inn-keeper's children. Kelly, who
knew the value of these articles, offered a pound sterling for
the bottle and book, which the inn-keeper accepted with joy,
and added to the bargain, some of the red powder, which
he had saved when the other bottle was broken. Kelly, pos-
sessed of this invaluable treasure, returned to London ; shewed
the book to Dr. Dee, and acquainted him with his good for-
tune, but did not yet give him the powder, or shew him a
proof of its virtue.

Dr. Dee was not ignorant of chemistry; in December 1579,
made a metallic salt ; the projection of which, he says, was one
uuon a hundred ; and he revealed this secret to Roger Cooke.
But the tincture possessed by Kelly, was so rich as one upon
2 7 /\ 330; and he lost much gold by making trials, before he
knew the extent of its power. In Dr. Dee's diary, in Ger-
many, there is mention made of the book of St. Dunstan, and
the, ponder found at the digging in England. The place where
this treasure was obtained, was generally reported to be the
ruins of Glastonbury abbey, founded by St. Dunstan. The
last abbot was hanged by Henry VIII. for adhering to the
Pope. It is about thirty-five miles from Glastonbury to- the
nearest part of South Wales.

In June, 1583, an attachment was issued against Edward
Kelly, for coining; upon which he expressed so much rage
and fur}- against one Husey, who had scandalized him, that
Dr. Dee feared \vc ought not to consort with so disorderly a
a person, although he was innocent of the felony. Kelly now
brought the powder from Islington.

Sept. 15, 1513. Dr. Dee, his wife and children, Edward
Kelly, and his wife, accompanied by Lord Albert Alasco, of
Siradia, in Poland, departed from London, on a journey to
Craco. As soon as they arrived in the North of Germany,
Dee received a letter from one of his friends in England,
informing him, that his library at Mortlake, was seized, and
partly destroyed, on the vulgar report of his unlawful studies;

John Dee. ■ 73.

and that his rents ami property were sequestered* The tra-
vellers were in so much want or money, when they arrived at
Bremen, that Lord Aiasco advised them to return home by Ham-
burgh. However, they proceeded by Koningsbergh to Lasco,
the Lordship of Albeit, who was so much in debt, that he
could not proceed to Craco. t)r. D. had not yet seen a trans-
mutation with Kelly'-; powder. They took a house for a year,
in Stepheinstreet, Craco, for 80 gilders. Next year, 1584,
they lived in Prague. Dr. Dee wrote to the Emperor Rodolph,
find to the Spanish ambassador, who were both lovers of al-
chemy. He was received with favour, and Dr. Curtz was ap-
pointed to confer with him.

In September 1584, they ' were brought to great penury, so
that without Lord Aiasco, or some heavenly help, they could
not sustain their stale any longer.' News reached them of
Queen Elizabeth's displeasure against them. They were also in
ill repute at the Court ol Prague: — it was reported that Dr.
Dee had sold his goods in England, and given the produce
to Lord Aiasco, who was not able to repay it; and that the
Doctor intended to obtain money from the Emperor, by his
alchemical impositions.

In March 1585, Mrs. Dee prayed to God to relieve their
necessities lor meat and-vrrihk for their families, which were
much oppressed, and that they might not pawn or sell their
clo h s or furniture to the Jews, or citizens of Prague, who
slandered t hem..

In May 1586, a sentence of banishment was officially sent
to Dr. Dee. Prince Rosenberg, viceroy of Italy, remonstrated
in vain, previous to his departure for Leipsic, from whence he
removed to Trebona, in Bohemia. Here, Edward Kelly, on
the 4th September, 1586, transmuted an ounce of mercury into
gold, with a particle of the powder, like a grain of sand, in'
the presence of Edward Garland, who was sent for that purpose
from the Czar of Muscovy.

In January previous to this, Dr. Dee had received two ounces,
Donum Dei from Edward Kelly, and he abounded in money ;
lie had 2000 ducats in one bag, when he paid 800 florins to
Puccius, the author of his banishment, who followed and dis-
quieted him,

Queen Elizabeth hearing some report of these transactions,
employed Captain Gevin to ascertain the truth. Dr. Dee wrote
to her Majesty's secretary, Walsingham, telling him the Queen
had missed an opportunity worth a million of gold ; and in
proof of their riches,;the English ambassador, Lord Willoughby,
sent to his court, from Prague, a piece of a brass warming-pan,
which was converted into silver, by steeping it, red-hot, in the
elixir. At the marriage' of Edward Kelly's maid servant, he
gave away as many rings as were worth £ 4000. They were
made of gold wire, twisted two or three times about the fingers.

74 . Lives of the Adept*.

The 27th April is noted with joy, heec est dies quam fecit
Dominus. Edward Kelly had then declared to Dr. Dec the
"making of the philosopher's stone : it does not appear that either
of them succeeded in the process. Dr. Dee's son Arthur, who
was after his father's death, physician to the Czar at Mosco,
says, in his Fasciculus Chemicus, that in his early youth he
witnessed tra smu'ation repeated/!/ for seven years.

In 1589, Dr. Dee parted with Edward Kelly, taking his re-
ceipt for the powder lie delivered up to him ; he set out for
England, in consequence of the Queen's invitation by Robert
Garland : at Bremen he was visited by Henry Kunrath, an
alchemical adept. The Langrave of Hesse sent a complimentary
letter to Dr. Dee, who in return presented him with twelve
Hungarian horses, which he brought from Prague. He arrived
in England after six years absence. The Queen gave him au-
dience, and called to his house very courteously, presenting
him with 200 angels to keep his Christmas, and gave him a
license in alchemy. Sir Thomas Jones offered him his castle
of Emlin, in Wales, to dwell in. Ele was made chancellor of
St. Paul's, and in 1595, Warden of Manchester College. He
went there with his wife and children, aii'd was installed
February 1596.

Edward Kelly w^s imprisoned by the Emperor, and set at
liberty in 1593. He was in favour and knighted 1595, but was
again confined, and attempting to escape by a rope, he fell from
the window of his prison, and was killed.

It does not appear that Dr. Dee made any transmutation in
England after his return. The prejudice against his studies was
revived ; Secretary Walsingham and £ir T. George were com-
missioned 1592, to search his house, and report if there was-
any thing unlawful to be found. In 1594-, he wrote to Lady
Seudamore to move the Queen, that he might cither be heard
in his defence before the Council, or set free to go where he
pleased. He wrote a justification of himself to the Archbishop
*f Canterbury in 1595.

In 1607 Dr. Dee lived at Mortlake ; lie had a powder in
keeping, but it was not productive of any transmutation : he
lived on the revenue he derived from Manchester. The Fellows
of that College shewed their enmity to his character on several
occasions, and it appears that he was endeavouring to borrow
lOOl. to purchase necessaries. He died shortly alter this date,
aged upwards of 80 years.

See Morhof. de Metal. Trans. 1 3. Wever's Funeral Monu-
ments 15. M. Casaubon's Preface, and Dr. Dee's Diary, folio,
1659. Elias Ashmole's Notes to Kelly's work, 4to. 1652*.

Hclmont. ?»

HELMONT.

Ix the year 1577, at Bois le Due, in Dutch Brabant, John
Baptist Von Hehnont was born of a noble family. He studied
at Louvain. and became eminent in Mathematics, Algebra, the
doctrines of Aristotle, Galen, the medicine of Vopiscus and
PI i mpius. At seventeen he lectured on physics as prrelector,
and took his decree M. D. in 1599. He read Hippocrates, and
all the Arabs as well as Greeks, before he was twenty-two years
old. He then passed ten years in the unsuccessful practice of
physic ; until he met a Paraeclsian chemist, who discovered
various chemical medicines to him. He retired to the Gastle of
Vilvord, near Brussels, and laboured with unremitting diligence
in the analysis of bodies of every ch;ss by chemical experiment?
and he continued for the remainder of his life retired and almost
unknown to his neighbours, except a few, whom he attended
Without lee as a physician. He declined an invitation and flat-
tering oilers from the Emperor and the Elector Palatine, and
alter writing several Tracts, which are to this day the admiration
of the learned, he died in the 67th year of his age.

This author, so illustrious in the sciences throughout Europe,
and no less celebrated for his noble rank than by the probity
of his character, testifies in three different places of his books,
that he has seen transmutation ! and that he has performed it
himself ! He speaks thus in his treatise de Vita Eterna, p. 590,
" I have seen and I have touched the philosopher's stone
more than once : the colour of it was like saffron in powder,
but heavy and shining like pounded glass; I had once given me
the fourth part of a grain, 1 call a grain that which takes 600
to make an ounce. 1 made projection with this fourth part of a
grain, wrapped in paper, upon eight ounces of quicksilver,
heated in a crucible, and immediately all the quicksilver, having
made a little noise, stopped and congealed into a yellow mass. —
Having melted it with a strong fire, I found within eleven grains
of eight ounces of most pure gold, so that a grain of this powder
would have transmuted into very good gold, 19,156 grains of
quicksilver."

If Helmont professed the art of making the transmuting
powder, his testimony would not be so free from suspicion as it
is : he savs on another occasion, that an artist of a few days ac-
quaintance, gave him half a grain of the powder of projection,
with which he transmuted nine ounces of quicksilver into pure
gold. He says further, that he performed a similar operation
many times, in the presence of a large company, and always
with the same success. On these grounds, he believes the cer-
tainty of the art. and that it is so prodigious, that one of those

16

Lives of the Adepts.

artists he knew, had as much of the red-stone, as would make,
two hundred thousand pounds weight of gold.

Helmont professed the knowledge of the alcahest, and the
method of preparing medicines of transcendant efficacy, by its

combinations. The universal dissolvent, according to the Pa-
racclsians, unites with some things easier than with others, and
the union with one, gives it the power of easier access to ano-
ther. Hence, there is a science of its affinities necessary to
be understood ; otherwise the exceeding great difficulty of seme
solution.?, by the alcahest, would either for want of skill or
time, make a radical union insuperable.

It appears, that the combinations of the universal spirit ,
in the order of comparative affinities, diverge in the two great
branches of the saline and the sulphureous classes. Its nearest
affinities arc the most open spirituous substances that partake
of both branches ; and as vegetables are more open than animal
substances, and minerals are more compact than either, the first
and easiest combination is with a watery spirit, including only
a small portion of an oily fire, and alkaline salt. After the
alcahest passes alchemically through this degree, it comes out
separated in the form of an essence, containing all the virtue
of the combination, extended with it to a range of medicinal
powers, which it had not before ; it passes in like manner
by the easiest transitions through the gum and saccharine
classes to the unctuous — thin oil — aromatic — dry oil — hard oil —
and thence to animal, mineral, and metallic sulphurs. The
other branch passes through the neutral salts, alkalies and ve-
getable acids ; from thence through the vitriols and saline
sulphurs to the animal and mineral acids, salts, metals and
stones; each new combination is an accession of new powers,
any one of them is perfect and universal — all of them are in^
numerable varieties of perfections, from which may be selected
those peculiar powers best suited b}' their appropriate effects to
the adept's respective purposes. Thus the artist, who has passed
through the one narrow gate, to the shrine of nature, can
facilitate his future access, and guard the practice of alchemip
physic from injuring, by its too powerful effects, the frail body
it should only relieve with medium s suited to its weakness.

BUTLER.

In the Reign of James the First, the attention of the curious
was attracted by a report, of several transmutations, made in
London by this artist. He was an Irish Gentleman, who
had just then returned from visiting foreign countries. It was
said, that he had net the secret of making the stone, but to

E utter 77

Account for his possessing it, the following story was related : —
The ship in which he took his passage in one of his voyages,
was captured by an African pirate* and on arriving in port, he
was sold as a slave to an Arabian, who was an alchemical
philosopher. Butler appearing to his master skilful and inge-
nious, he was employed in the mo>t difficult operations of the
laboratory. Having a perfect knowledge of the importance of
the process, as soon as it was finished, he bargained with an
lrjsh merchant for his ransom, and made his escape, taking with
him a large portion of the red-powder. It is probable that Butler,
Scndivogius, and others who made public transmutations, found
it necessary to declare their inability to make or encrease the
powder they obtained, knowing that perpetual imprisonment is
the most lenient fate that could befal the possessor of an inex-
haustible fund of those metals, which, under royal sanction,
are the current representatives of all the property in the ci-
vilized world.

A countryman of Butler's., who was a physician, formed a
plan for discovering his secret. He presented himself as a
servant who wanted a place, and was hired by Butler : he found
the philosopher was grown so circumspect, that he sought in
vain for some ciieumstance to justify the public report of his
treasures ; until at last Butler sent him into the city to purchase
a large quantity of lead and quicksilver.

The disguised doctor now lipped to make a discovery ; he
executed his commission with dispatch, and prepared a small
hole in the wall of Butler's room, through which from the ad-
joining apartment he could see what was going on. He soon
perceived Butler taking something out of a box, which he put
on the melted lead, and deposited the box in a concealed place
under the floor of his room. At this moment the table and
chair on which the doctor was elevated to the spy-hole, gave
way, and he fell with a loud noise to the ground. Butler rushed
out of his room to learn the cause of this disturbance, and
perceiving the spy-hole, he with difficulty refrained from run-
ning his servant through the body with his sword.

Finding there was no hopes of obtaining any thing from
Butler, the doctor expected to surprise his treasures, by re-
porting to the officers of justice, that he was a coiner of false
money : A vigilant search was made according to his direc-
tions, but nothing was found, as Butler removed whatever could
betray him — his furnace, crucibles, and SO marks in gold,
were all he appeared to possess ; he was therefore liberated from
the prison in which he had been confined during the in-
vestigation.

Butler was afterwards imprisoned in the Castle of Yilvord, in
Flanders, where he performed wonderful cures by hermet'c
medicine. A fellow piisoner, who was a Monk of Brittair ,
having a desperate eris< pilas in his arm. was restored to health

IS Lives of the ^Adepts.

in one hour b}' drinking almond milk, in which Butler only
dipped the stone. The next day, at the rumour of this circum-
stance, the celebrated J. B. Helmont, who lived in the neigh-
bourhood, went with several noblemen to the prison : Butler
cured an old woman in their presence of a megrim, by dipping
a stone into oil of olives, with which he anointed her head.—
An abbess, whose arm was swelled, and her 6neers stiff' for
eighteen years, was also cured by a few applications to her
tongue of the same stone. These cures are attested by the
illustrious Von Helmont in his works.

IIELYETIUS.

The following most unquestionable testimony to the fact of
transmutation, was published by an eminent Dutch physician,
John Frederic Helvetius, at the Hague in 16G7, and 'edicatcd
to his friends, Dr. Rett us, of Amsterdam, Dr. Hansius, of
Heidelberg, and Dr. Menzelin, of Brandcnberg. 'On the 27th
December, 1666, in the afternoon, a stranger in a plain rustic
clrtss, came to my house at the Hague ; his manner of address
was honest, grave, and authoritative; his stature was low, with a
Jong face, and hair black, his smooth chin ; he seemed like a
native of the North of Holland, and I guessed he was about
forty-four years old. After saluting me, he requested me most
respectfully to pardon his rude introduction ; but that his love
of the pyrotechnic art made him visit me ; having read
some of my small Treatises, particularly that against the sympa-
thetic powder of Sir Kenelm Digby, and observed therein my
doubt of the hermetic mystery, it caused him to request this in-
terview. He asked me if F still thought there was no medicine
in nature, which could cure all diseases, unless the principal
parts as. the lungs, liver, (be. were perished, or the time of
death were come. To which I replied, 1 never met with an
adept) or saw such a medicine, though 1 read much of it, and
often wished for it. Then I asked if he was a physician ; he said,
he was a founder of brass, yet from his youth learned many rare
things in chemistry, particularly of a friend, the manner to
rx tract out of metals, many medicinal arcana's by the use of fire.
After discoursing of experiments in metals, lie asked me, would
I Know the philosopher's stone if I SKWJfS: I answered I would
rot, though I read much of it in Paracelsus, Helmont, Basil,
and others ; yet I dare not say I could know the philosopher's
matter. In the interim he drew from his breast-pocket, a neat
ivory box, and out of it took three ponderous lumps of the stone,
each about the size of a small wall-nut; they were transparent,
and of.a pale brimstone colour, whereto some scales of the cm-

Hdvctius. 79

cable adhered, when this most noble Substance wag melted. —
The valud of it, I since calculated, was twenty Ions weight of
gold : when I had greedily examined and handled the stone
ttimost a quarter of an hour, and heard from the owner, many
rare secrets of its admirable effects, in human and metallic!
bodies, and its other wonderful properties, I returned him this
treasure of treasures ; truly with a most sorrowful mind, like
these who conquer themselves, yet as was just, very thankfully
and humbly; 1 further desired to know why the colour was
yellow, and not red, ruby colour, or purple, as philosophers
write; he answered, that was nothing, far the matter was mature
and ripe enough. Then I humbly requested him to bestow a
little piece of the medicine on me, in perpetual memory of him,
though but the size of a coriander or hemp seed; he presently
answered, Oh no, no, this is not lawful, though thou wouldst
give me as many ducats in gold as would fill this room, not for
the value of the matter, but for some particular consequences ;—
nay, if it were possible said he, that fire could be burnt of fire,
I would rather at this instant cast all this substance into the
fiercest flames. He then demanded, if I had a more private
chamber, as this was seen from the public street : I presently
conducted him into the best furnished room backward, not
doubting but he would bestow part thereof, or some great
treasure on me; he entered without wiping his shoes, although
they were full of snow and dirt : and asked me for a little piece
of gold, and pulling off' his cloak, opened his vest, under which
he had five pieces (if golu ; they were hanging to a green silk
ribbon, the size of small breakfast plates ; and this gold so far
ex,cejlcd mine, that there was no comparison, for flexibility and
colour ; the inscriptions engraven upon them he granted me to
write out they were pious thanksgivings to God, dated 26th
August, 1666, with the characters of the Sun, Mercury, the
Moon, and the signs of Leo and Libra.

I was in great admiration, and desired to know where and Low
he obtained them. He answered, a foreigner who dwelt some
days in my house, said he was a lover of this science, and came
to reveal it to me; he taught me various arts; first, of ordinary
stones and chrystaL, to make rubies, chrysolites and sapphires, &c.
much more valuable than those of the nunc ; and how in a quarter
of an hour, to make an oxid of iron, one dose of which would
infallibly cure the pestilential dissentary, or! bloody flux : and
how to make a metallic liquor to cure all kinds of dropsies most
certainly in four days ; as also a limpid clear water sweeter than
honey, by which in two hours of itself, in hot sand, it would
extract the tincture of granats, corals, glasses, and such like ;
he said more, which I Helvctius did not observe, my mind
being occupied to understand how a noble juice could be drawn
out of minerals to transmute metals. He told me his said master
caused him to bring a glass of rain water, and he pal

80 • Lives of the Adepts.

silver leaf into it, which was dissolved therein within a quarter
of an hour, like ice when heated : c And presently he drank
to me the half, and I pledged him the other half, which had not
80 much taste as sweet milk; whereby methought I became
very light hearted. I thereupon asked if this were a philosophi-
cal drink, and wherefore we drank this potion ? He replied,
I ought not to be so curious.' By the said master's directions,
a piece of a leaden pipe being melted, he took a little sul-
phureous powder out of his pocket, put a little of it on the point
of a knife into the melted lead, and after a great blast of the
bellows, in a short time he poured it on the red stones of the
kitchen chimney, it proved most excellent pure gold ; which he
said brought him into such, a trembling amazement, that he could
hardly speak ; but his master encouraged him, saying, cut for
thyself the sixteenth part of this as a memorial, and give the rest
away among the poor, which he did. And he distributed this
alms as he alarmed, if my memory fail not, at the Church of
Sparenda. At Inst said hey this generous foreigner taught me
thoroughly this divine art. As soon as his relation wd6 finished,
I begged he would shew me the effect of transmutation to confirm
my faith ; but he declined it for that time in such a discreet
manner, that I was satisfied, as he promised to come again in
three weeks, and shew me some curious arts in the fire, and the
manner of projection, provided it were then lawful without pro-
hibition. At the three weeks end he came, and invited me
abroad for an hour or two, and in our walk we discoursed
of nature's secrets, but he was very silent on the subject of thj
great elixir, gravely asserting, that it was only to magnify the
sweet fame, and mercy of the most glorious God ; that few men
endeavoured to serve him, and this he expressed as a pastor or
minister of a Church ; but I recalled his attention, intreating
him to shew me the metallic transmutation; desiring also that
he would eat and drink anil lodge at my house, which I pressed ;
but he was of so fixed and stediiist a spirit, that all my endea-
vours were frustrated. 1 could not forbear to tell him that 1 had
a laboratory, ready for an experiment, and that a promised fa-
vour was a kind of debt : yes, true said he, but I pro-
mised to teach thee at my return, with this proviso, ' if it were
not forbidden.'

When I perceived all this was in vain, I earnestly requested a
small crum of his powder, sufficient to transmute a few grains of
lead to gold; and at last out of his philosophical commiseration,
he gave me as much as a turnip seed in size : saying, receive
this small parcel of the greatest treasure of the world, which
truly few kings or princes have ever known or seen : But 1 said,
this perhaps will not transmute four grains of lead, whereupon
he bid me deliver it back to him, which in hopes of a greater
parcel I did ; but he cutting half off with his nail, flung it
into the fire, and gave me tile rest wrapped neatly up in blue

Hdvctius. SI

paper; saying, it is yet sufficient for tlicc. I answered him,
indeed with a most dejected countenance ; Sir, what means this :
the other being too little, you give me now less. He told me to
put into the crucible halt' an ounce of lead, for there ought to he
no more lead put in than the medicine can transmute: I gave him
great thanks for my diminished treasure, concentrated truly in
the superlative degree, and put k charily up into my little box ;
saving, I meant to try it the next day, nor would I reveal it to
any. ' Not so, not so,' said he, ' for we ought to divulge all
things to the children of art, which may tend alone to the honor
of God, that so they may live in the theosophical truth.' I now
made a confession to him, that while the mass of his medicine
was in my hands, I endeavoured to scrape a little of it away
with my nail, and could not forbear; but scratched oft' so very
little, that it being picked from my nail, wrapped in a paper,
and projected on melted lead, I found no transmutation ; but
almost the whole mass of lead sublimed, and the remainder was a
glassy earth ; at this' unexpected account, he immediately said,
you are more dexterous to commit theft than to apply the
medicine ; for if you had only Wrapped up the stolen prey in
yellow wax, to preserve it from the fumes of tfee lead, it would
Lavc'sunk to the bottom and transmuted it to gold; but having cast
it into the fumes, the violence of the vapour, partly by its sim-
pathetic alliance, carried the medicine quite away. I brought
him the crucible and he perceived a most beautiful saffron like
tincture sticking to the sides ; he promised to come next morning
at nine o'clock, to shew me that this tincture would transmute the
lead into gold. Having taken his leave, I impatiently waited his
return ; but next day became not, nor ever since ; he sent an ex-
cuse at half past nine that morning, and promised to come at
three in the afternoon, but I never heard of him >:ince ; I soon
began to doubt the whole matter; late that night my wife, who
was a most curious student and enquirer after the art, came soli-
citing me to make an experiment of that little grain of the stone
to be assured of the truth ; ' unless this be done,' said she, ' I
shall have no rest nor sleep this night ;' she being so earnest, I
commanded a fire to be made, saying to myself, I fear, I fear
indeed this man hath deluded me; my wife wrapped the said
matter in wax, and I cut half an ounce of lead, and put it into a
crucible in the fire ; being melted, my wife put in the medicine
made into a small pill with the wax, which presently made a
hissing noise, and in a quarter of an hour the mass of lead was
totally transmuted into the best and finest gold, which amazed us-
exceedingly. We could not sufficiently gaze upon this admirable
and miraculous work of nature; for the melted lead, after pro-
jection, shewed on the fire the rarest and most beautiful colours
imaginable, settling in green; and when poured forth into an
ingot, it had the lively fresh colour of blood : when cold, it sinned
as the purest and most splendent gold. Truly all those who were

h

S3 Lives of the Adepts.

standing about me, were exceedingly startled, and I ran with
this aurified lead, being yet hot, to the goldsmith, who wondered
at the fineness, and alter a short trial by the test, said it was the
most excellent gold in the world.

The next day a rumour of this prodigy went about the Hague,
and spread abroad; so that many illustrious andJearned persons
gave me their friendly visits for its sake: amongst the rest, the
general Assay-master, examiner of coins of this province of
Holland, Mr. Porelius, who with others, earnestly besought me
to pass some part of the geld through all their customary trials,
which I did, to gratify my own curiosity. We went to Mr.
Breetel a silversmith, who first mixed four parts of silver with
one part of the gold, he filed it, and put aqiuifortis to it, dis-
solved the silver, and let the gold precipitate to the bottom ;
the solution being poured off, and the calx of gold washed with
water, then reduced and melted, it appeared excellent gold : and
instead of a loss in weight, we found the gold was increased, and
bad transmuted a scruple of the silver into gold by its abounding
tincture.

Doubting whether the silver was now sufficiently separated
from the gold, we mingled it with seven parts of antimony,
which we melted and poured out into a cone, and blew off the
regulus on a test, where we missed eight grains of our gold, but
after we blew away the rest of the antimony, or superfluous
scoria, we found nine grains of gold for our eight grains missing,
yet it was pale and silver-like, but recovered its full colour after-
wards ; so that in the best proof of fire we lost nothing at all of
this gold; but gained as aforesaid. These tests I repeated three
times, and found it still alike ; and the silver remaining out of
the aquafortis, was of the very best flexible silver that could be,
so that in the total, the said medicine or elixer, had transmuted
six drains and two scruples of the lead and silver into most purcj
gold.

BEIUGARD OF PISA.

Claude Berigard was a celebrated Italian philosopher, author
of Cir cuius Pisanus, published in Florence, 1641 ; far from being
a credulous man, he was inclined to scepticism. These are his
own words, page 25. — " I did not think that it was possible to
convert quicksilver into gold, but an acquaintance thought pro-
per to remove my doubt; he gave me about a drachm of a
powder, nearly of the colour of the wild poppy, and having a
smell like calcined sea salt ; to avoid all imposition, I purchased
a crucible, charcoal, and quicksilver, in which I was certain,
that there was no gold mixed; ten drachms of quicksilver which
I heated on the fire, was on projection transmuted into nearly
the same weight of good gold, wliich stood all tests. Had I not

Anonymous Adept, S3

performed this operation in the most careful manner, taking
evety precaution against the possibility of doubt, I should not
have believed it, but I am satisfied of the fact."

ANONYMOUS ADEPT.

Atiianastus Kircher, a German Jesuit, retired to Rome In
164'0, where he wrote and published 22 vols, folio, and eleven in
4to. lie records in his Mundus Subterraneus, that one of his
friends, whose veracity he could not dcubt, related to him as
follows : — ' From my youth', said this honest man, * I made a
peculiar study of alchemy, without ever attaining the object of
thai science. In my course of experiments, I received a visit
from a man who was entirely unknown to me : he asked very
politely, what was the object of my labours, and w'thout giving
me time to reply, he said, I see very well by these glasses and this
furnace, that you are engaged in the search of something great in
chemistry; but believe me ycu never will, in that way, attain to
the object you desire. I said to him, 'Sir, if you have better
instructions,* I flatter myself that you will give them.' Willingly,
replied this generous unknown : immediately I took a pen and
wrote down the process he dictated ; and to shew you the result,
said the stranger, let US both work together, according to what
you have written. We proceeded, and our operation being
finished, I drew from the chemical vessel a brilliant oil, it con-
gealed into a mass, which I broke into powder. I took a part
of this powder and projected it on three hundred pounds of
quicksilver, it was ;n a little time converted into pure gold, much
more perfect than that of the mines ; it endured ail the proofs of
the goldsmiths.'

* A prodigy so extraordinary struck me with surprise and asto-
nishment, I became almost stupid ; and as another Croesus, I
fancied I possessed all the riches in the universe. My gratitude
to my benefactor was more than I could express ; he replied that
he was on his travels, and wanted no assistance whatever ; but
* it gratifies me,' says he, ' to counsel those who are unable to
complete the hermetic work.' I pressed him to remain with me,
but he retired to his inn ; next day I called there, but what was
my surprise, at not finding him in it, or at any place in the town.
I had many questions to ask him, which left me in doubt. I re-
turned to work according to the receipt, and failed in the result ;
I repeated the process with more care ; it was all in vain ! Yet I
persevered until I had expended all the transmuted gold, and the
givater part of my own property.'

i We see', says Father Kircher, gravely, 'by this true history,
how the devil seeks to deceive men who are led by a lust of
riches. This alchemist was convinced he had an infernal visitor,
and he destroyed his books, furnace, and apparatus, by the timely
advice of his confessor,'

84 Lives of the Adepts.

THE ADEPT MERCHANT OF LUBEC.

This anonymous possessor of unlimited wealth has left nothing
in writing, and would be unknown to the world, but that he
performed a transmutation beiore Gustavus Adolphus, King ot
Sweden, in Pomcrania, about the year 1620. The gold was
coined in medals, bearing the king's effigy, with the reverse,
Mercury and Venus.

The adept did not appear opulent ; as a merchant he never wa.s
observed to enter into any commercial business, except a tran-
saction by which he did not profit ; but after his death, there
were 1700,000 crowns found in his house. — See Borrichius, and'
Moncon's travels, p. 379.

TRANSMUTATION AT BERLIN,

On the commencement of the eighteenth century, a gentle-
man presented himself to the King of Prussia, at Berlin, pro-
posing to communicate the secret of transmutation. The king
desired to see a proof of it, and the operation was performed
before him, with all the necessary precautions against imposition.
The projection succeeded perfectly : the artist expected promo-
tion, but he was desired to make a similar powder, which he
acknowledged he could perform. He failed in the attempt, and
instead of being promoted at court for his communications, a
charge was brought against him for duelling several years before,
and he was accordingly beheaded. This story was verified to the
Abbe Lenglet at Paris.

TRANSMUTATION BEFORE THE DUKE OF
SAXONY.

A transmutation at Dresden, before Frederick Augustus, was
performed about the year 1715, by an apothecary's boy. He re-
lated that a sick traveller, whom he attended in Berlin, had, on
Ins recovery, given him the powder of projection, in a quantity
sufficient to establish him for life. The result of his vanity, in
exhibiting a phenomenon so dangerous to the landed and com-
mercial interest, was a condemnation to death, which he escaped
by professing the secret of making delft equal to china : he suc-
ceeded in the attempt, which laid the foundation of the Dresden
manufactories. His vicious disposition now broke out, he mixed
a destructive- powder with tue prepared clay of the porcelain

Count Cagtiostro. 85

makers, and fled lo Austria. On liis return he was confined
in the Castle of Meissen, where he died. The A'obc Lenglct
was assured by M. Bray, Minister of the Elector of Saxony, that
he witnessed the fact of transmutation at Dresden.

COUNT CAGLIOSTRO.

Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro, was born at Palermo, in
174-3; he was instructed in the secret chemistry by Altotas, an
Arab, whom he met at Messina. — They embarked for Alexandria,
and performed several operations, by which they procured large
sums of money. Altotas could speak greek fluently, and had
several arabic manuscripts ; he instructed Balsamo in the oriental
languages, and in occult philosophy. They passed to Malta, and
worked in the laboratory of the grand master Pinto. Altotas
died soon after; and Balsamo visited Naples, in company with a
Knight of Malta. He acquired the regard of Prince Caramanco,
n lover of chemistry, who brought him to see his estate in
Sicily. After this Balsamo appeared to sell drawings, at Rome,
for liis support ; but was at the same time in private intimacy
with the Pope, several Cardinals and Princes; amongst these
was Ganganelli, afterwards Clement 14th, He married Lo-
ren/.a Feliciana, in this city : they travelled as pilgrims through
Sardinia and Genoa, living upon alms, and reaching Barcelona,
proceeded to Madrid ; from that ci.y lu went to Portugal ; his
wife learned the English language : lie vested his riches in
jewellery, and they embarked for London, where he devoted his
leizure to chemistry. The jewels lie brought to England were of
great value — he had a watch chain consisting of three rows ot
diamonds, and pendants with clusters of diamonds, which was.
worth fifteen hundred pounds ; a pawnbroker in Princes-street,
lent five hundred on it. His watch and Madame Cagliostro's
rings, necklaces, and gold boxes, were enriched with diamond* ,
and pearls. A large quantity of topazes, which he collected at
Lisbon, were now stolen from him by a Sicilian named \ivcna ;
and he was thrown into prison for the rent of his lodgings, in;
Whitcomb-street ; he soon after obtained his liberty, and went
to Paris, and there sold a pomade or wash, for beautifying the
skin •, he also made some chemical operations in augmentation of
gold, for two amateurs, and departed for Palermo, where he was
imprisoned on pretence of his acquaintance with the Marquis
Maurigi, who was accused of forgery ; but on being liberated,
he went to Malta, returned to Naples, took his wife's father and
brother into his family, and brought them to Marseilles and
Cadiz, where he left them and proceeded with his wife to London.
The noise of his wealth induced many sharpers to persecute him
with false arrests, until some friends moved the King's Bench

S6 Lives of the Adepts.

to punish these conspirators. He was now called Count C*ag-
liostro ; he had a medicinal liquor called Egyptian wine, and sold
certain restorative powders,' he lived inelegant apartments in
Sloan-street, attended by a numerous retinue of servants in rich
liveries, and saw company t'recjuently with magnificence and hospi-
tality. He attended the sick poor, giving them medicine and
money- In the same manner he passed some time in various
German States and at Paris, until he was imprisoned in the
Bastile, on suspicion, when the Queen's diamond necklace was
stolen by Madame La Motte; while in prison^ his bureau was
robbed of 750 double louis d' or* 1233 roman sequins or crowns,
'24? double doubloons, and 47,000 livres, in bills. On his libera-
tion and return to London, he predicted the destruction of the
Bastile, and that a prince at length will reign in France,
who will establish true religion. After a series of similar adven-
tures, Cagliostro was arrested at Rome, tried and found guilty of
having founded an order of Freemasons, and was sentenced to
perpetual imprisonment. See the life of Cagliostro, written by
order of the Inquisition at Koine.

DELISLEv

He was a rustic of low birth in Provence, who in the year 1 70S,
attracted general notice, by transmuting lead and iron into
silver and gold. He put an oil and powder on the iron, and then
igniting it in the fire, it came forth a bar of gold. Cerisy, prior
of New Castel, was employed by the Bishop of Senez, to col-
lect and recite the facts : and he obtained some of the powder
wherewith he made three pounds weight of pure gold out of lead.
The alchemist was invited to court, but he pretended, that the
climate he lived in was necessary to the success of his experi-
ments, as his preparations were vegetable. He exposed his pro-
jections to innumerable witnesses, and freely gave the produce
in .gold bars, nails, and ingots, to persons of rank, who witnessed
the transmutations. The Baron of lleinvald and his lady, with an
ftlchemist named Sauveur, who studied the science for fifty year*
in vain, were present, and obtained gold made of base metal
before their eyes, which stood the test of the goldsmith.

Delisle at this time was thirty five years old ; he had been
considered for five years a fool or a deceiver, because he was
working for an alchemical gentleman; but now his employer was
enriched, and the noblemen of the country paid great respect to
Uelisle.

Mr. St. Aubin endeavoured in vain to teach him to read and
write ; but he appeared untractably rude, and a fanatical raver.
He was told he might humble the enemies of France, but he
•nly answered by a loud laugh.

Delisle. 87

In Lenglot's history of hermetic philosophy, there is a letter
from the Bishop of Senez, to the Minister of State and Comp-
troller General of the Treasury at Paris, in which the Bishop,
who was at first incredulous, professes that he could not resist
the evidence of actual transmutation performed before him and
several vigilant witnesses, who took every precaution to prevent
deceit. There is also a certificate of the Mint-Master at Lyons,
to the following facts 3— That he was accompanied by Delisle and
others, and went to the garden of the Castle, where he uncovered
a basket that was sunk in the ground, and took from a w ire n rag-
tied up — the contents were exposed to the sun for a quarter ot an
hour, and appeared a blackish earth of about half a pound weight,
this was distilled in a retort by a portable furnace, and when a
yellow. liquor was perceived to flow into the receiver, Delisle recom-
mended that the recipient should be removed before a viscious
oil which was rising should follow it. Two drops of the yellow
liquor, projected on hot quicksilver, produced, in fusion, three
ounces of gold, which was presented to the Minister of State. —
Secondly, three ounces of pistol bullets were melted and purified
With alum and saltpetre, Delisle handed a small paper to him,
desiring him to throw in a pinch of the powder and two drops of
oil of the first experiment, and then covering the matter with
saltpeter, it was kept fifteen minutes in fusion, and was then poured
.out on a piece of iron armour, where it appeared pure gold,
bearing all assays. The conversion to silver was made in the
same manner with white powder. This certificate was signed
officially 14th December, 1710.

The o;old made by the Mint-Master, Maurice, with Delisle's
powder and oil, was coined into medals, inscribed, Aurum arte
factum, which are deposited in the Museum at Versailles.

Delisle having evaded two invitations to Court, on pretence
that he was disappointed in gathering the proper herbs, once
by the war occupying the mountain of Palu, and again that the
summer was passed, when he received his Majesty's commands,
and therefore he could not prepare a transmutation of magnitude
Worthy to exhibit to the King ; the Bishop of Senez, sus-
pecting him of unwillingness, rather than inability, obtained a
letter de cachet, to conduct him to the Bastile. His guards on
the road endeavouring to extort his supposed riches, wounded
him, in which state on his arrival at the Bastile, he was forced
to undertake alchemical operations, but produced nothing, and
died the following year.

His son Aluys, inherited some of the powder, with which he
made projection before the Duke of Richlieu, then French Am-
bassador at Vienna, who assured the Abbe Langlet, that he not
only saw the operation, but performed ithimseltj twice on gold,
and forty times on silver.

Aluys made a considerable collection of gold coins, ancient
and modern, while on his journey through Austria and Bo-

SS Lives of the Adepts

hernia. On^.his return to Aix, he presented himself to the
President of Provence, who desired him to call the next day.
Aluys, suspecting an intention to arrest him, fled ; — he was
afterwards imprisoned at Marseilles, from whence he escaped to
Brussells. It was here in 1731, that he gave some philosophic
mercury to Mr. Percell, the brother of Abbe Langlet, which he
frrmented imperfectly, but succeeded so far as to convert an
ounce of silver into gold. The death of a Mr. Grefier shortly after
some operations on corrosive sublimate, by which he proposed
to instruct him in alchemy, made it necessary for him to depart,
and he was heard of no more.

EIREN.^EUS PHILALETHES.

The name of this artist was never discovered to the public : —
?orne authors mistake him for Thomas Vaughan, an Oxford
scholar, who wrote under the name of Eugenius Philalethes,
several works that arc not esteemed ; his Aula lucis, by S. N.
shews the last letters of his real name.

Eirenaeus, in his preface to The shut palace opened, thus ex-
presses himself : ' I being an adept, anonymon, and lover of
learning, decreed to write this little Treatise of physical secrets,
in the year 161-5, in the twenty-third year of my age, to pay my
duty to the sons of art, and lend my hand to bring them out of
the labyrinth of error, to shew the adepti that I am a brother
equal to them. 1 presage that many will be enlightened by these
my labours. They are no fables, but real experiments, which
I have seen, made, and know, as any adept will understand.
I have often in writing laid aside my pen, because I was willing
to have concealed the truth under the mask of envy ; but God
compelled me to write, whom I could not resist : He alone knows
the heart — to Kim only be glory for ever. I undoubtedly
believe, that many will become blessed in this last age of the
world with this arcanum ; I have written faithfully, and left no-
thing intentionally doubtful to a young beginner. I know many,
who with ine, enjoy this arcanum; may the will of God be done;
I confess myself unworthy of effecting such things — 1 adore
the holy will of God, to whom all things are subjected ! —
He created and preserves them to this end ' In the preface to
his Commentary on Ripley, Eirenaeus writes : ' For my own
part, I have cause to honour Bernard Trevisan, who is very
ingenuous, especially in the lclter to Thomas of Boulogne,
where i seriously confess, I received the main light, in the hidden
secret. I do not remember, that ever I learned any thing from
Raymond Lully ; some who are not adepts give more instruc-
tion to a beginner, than one whom perfect knowledge makes
cautious. I "learned ike secret of the magnet from one, the

Eumtrus PJiilalclhes. 89

chalybs from another, the use of Diana's doves from a third, the
air or camelion from another, the gross preparation of the
dissolvent in another, the number of eagles in another ; but for
operations on the true matter and signs of the true mercury,
I know of none like Ripley, though Flamel be eminent. —
I know what I say, having learned by experience what is truth
and what is error.

* I have read misleading sophistical writers, and made many
toilsome, laborious experiments, though but young ; and having
at length, through the undeserved mercv of God, arrived at
my haven of rest, I shall stretch out my hand to such as are be-
hind. I have wrote several Treatises; one in English, very
plain but not perfected ; unfortunately it slipped out of my hand.
I shall be sorry if it comes abroad into the world. Two in Latin,
Brevis manuductio ad rubinem ccelcstum ; and Fons chymica phi-
losophic. : — these for special reasons, I resolve to suppress. —
Two others I lately wrote, which perhaps you may enjoy, viz.
Ars metallorum metamorphoses ; and Introitus apcrtus ad occluswn
Regis palatiunu I wrote two poems in English, which are lost ;
also in English, an enchiridion of experiments, a diurnal of
meditations, with many receipts declaring the whole secret, and
an Enigma annexed : these also fell into the hands of one, who
I conceive will never restore them/

The person alluded to here, is probably George Starkey, an
apothecary of London, who emigrated to North America, and
was following his professional business there, when he had the
good fortune to receive a visit from Eirenaeus, who in the course
of his travels through that country, stopped in the city where
-Starkey dwelt, and with extraordinary freedom, made himself
known as an adept. Starkey returned to London, and wrote
several chemical books, from which these particulars are col-
lected. He died of the plague in London 1665. A friend of
his who obtained his papers, published * A true light of Alchemy*
in English verse ; it probably contains the poems lost by
Eirenaeus, but the second book evidently includes a narrative by
Starkey of his interviews with the adept, as follows :

' I have now to assert, from my own experience, facts of
transmutation, of which I was an eye-witness. I was well ac-
quainted with an artist, with whom I have often conversed on
the subject, and I saw in his possession the white and the red
elixir, in very large quantity ; he gave me upwards of two
ounces of the white medicine, of sufficient virtue to convert
120,000 times its weight into the purest virgin silver; with
this treasure I went to work ignorantly upon multiplication,
and was caught in the trap of my own covetousness ; for I ex-
pended or wasted all this tincture. However, I made pro-
jection of part of it, which is sufficient for my present purpose
enabling me to assert the possibility of the art from ocular
demonstration. I have tinged many times hundreds of ounces

M

90 Lives of the Adepts.

into the best silver. Of a pound of mercury, I have made within
less than a scruple of a pound of silver, of lead little more waste,
but 'tis wondrous to see tin, although a dross was burnt from it,
yet its weight increased in the fire. I essayed the medicine on
copper, iron, even on brass and pewter, on spelter, solder,
tinglass, mercury, and on regulus of antimony, and I can say
with truth it conquers all metallic things, and brings them all
to perfection. I found there was nothing akin to it, but it
would tinge into pure silver; even perfect gold was penetrated
and changed to a white glass, that would transmute, but in
small quantity, inferior metals, into silver ; but when this silver
was assayed it was found to abide aquafortis, cupel of antimony,
and weighed as gold, so that it was white gold', this was because
the white tincture had fermented with red earth, and both virtues
coming into projection, produced silver coloured gold, or silver
equaling gold in perfection but wanting its hue. I did not know
the value of this silver till my medicine was nearly gone, and sold
eighty ounces of it at the common price, though it was as valua-
ble as gold. I projected the medicine on pure silver, and had a
chrystalline metal, like burnished steel or mirror, but there was
no encrease of virtue in this, it tinged only so much as it
would if it had not been projected on silver.

The artist who gave me this is still living; I prize him as my
own life, I wish his happiness for he has been a sure friend — he
is at present on his travels, visiting artists, and collecting anti-
quities, as a citizen of the world. — He is an Englishman of
an ancient honourable family, who now live in the place wherein
he was born; he is scarcely thirty-three years of age, and is
rarely learned. You cannot know more of him fro in me, nor
can you be acquainted with him, his acquaintance with me wag
as unexpected as his love was cordial. I had often seen, by ex-
periment, that he was master of the white and red before he
would vouchsafe to trust me with a small bit of the stone, nor
would I press him, hoping for his courtesy soon or late, which
I shortly received, by what I have said of the white medicine
and also a portion of his mercury.

He told me this mercury was a matchless treasure, if God
would open my eyes to the use of it, else 1 might grope in
blindness. With this dissolvent, which is the hidden secret of
all masters, he exceedingly multiplied his red stone. I saw him
put a piece of the red, by weight, into that same mercury, which
then digested, dissolved it, and made it change colour, and in
three days it passed through the process of black, white, and
red.

I thought that if the red and white could be multiplied, that
one lineal progress led to either, and on this false ground, I de-
stroyed ten parts in twelve of my medicine ; this loss did not
suilice me, for I mixt the remaining two parts with ten times its
weight of luna, and fell to work again, hoping to make up for.

Eirenceus Philale flics. 91

mv first error. I then began to think upon the maxims of the
old books, revolved in my mind the agreement of my work with
the laws of nature, and at length I concluded that each thing is
to be disposed according to its condition.

When I found that my vain attempts only threw away the
tincture, I stopped my hand, resolving to keep the few grains
left for some urgent necessity, which for its preservation, I mixed
with ten parts of luna.

I tried some of the mercury before mentioned on gold, my
desire being to see the work carried forward ; and brought to
luna if not to sol. This then I projected on mercury, after
having alloyed it with silver, it tinged fifty parts, and I strove to
imbibe it, but in vain, because I had let it cool. I foolishly
supposed to attain the red by imbibition ; however, nature car-
ried on its work into blackness the colours, and whiteness, which
yet was far short of what I looked for.

In these trials I wasted nearly all my mercury likewise ; but
I had for my consolation, the witnessing of transmutations, and
these extraordinary processes, which I beheld with mine own
eyes, and blessed God for seeing.

In some time I met my good friend and told all my mishaps,
hoping that he would supply me as before; but he considering
that my failures had made me wise, would not trust me with
more, lest I should pluck the Hesperian tree as I chose for my
own and other mens hurt. He said to me, ' friend, if God elects
you to this art, he will, in due time, bestow the knowledge of it;
but if in his wisdom he judges you unfit, or that you would do
mischief with it, accursed be that man who would arm a maniac
to the hurt of his fellow creatures. While you were ignorant I
gave you a great gift, so that if Heaven ordained, the gift should
destroy itself. I see it is not right you should enjoy it at present,
what providence denies, I cannot give you, or I should be-
guilty of your misconduct.'

I confess this lesson of divinity did not please me, as I hoped
so much from him. his answer was a disappointment. He further
said, that God had granted me knowledge, but withheld the
fruit of it for the present.

Then I gave him to understand how I had discovered the
skill of the water ; "by which, in time, I may obtain what you
deny, and which I am resolved to attempt."

" If so then," he replied, " attend to what I say, and you
may bless God for it. Know that we are severely bound by
strong vows, never to supply any man by our art, who might
confound the world, if he held it at will : and all the evil he
does is left at the door of that adept who is so imprudent. Con-
sider what a prize you had both of the stone and of the mercury ;
would not any one say, he piust be mad that would threw it all
away without profit."

92 Lives of the Adepts,

' Had you been guided by reason you might hare enough of
what I gave you. Your method was to add to the purest gold,
but a grain of the stone, in fusion it would unite to it, and then
you might go about the work with your mercury, which would
speedily mix with that gold, and greatly shorten the work,
which you might easily govern to the red] and as you saw how I
wedded new gold to such sulphur and mercury, you saw the
weight, time, and heat— what more could you have wished.
And seeing you know the art of preparing the Jiery 'mercury, you
might have as much store as any one.'

' But do you not perceive by this, that God is averse to you,
and caused you to waste the treasure I gave you. He sees, per-
haps, that you would break his holy laws, and do wrong with it ;
and though he has imparted so much knowledge, I plainly see
that he will keep you some years without the enjoyment of that
which no doubt you would misuse. Know, that if you seek this
art without a ferment, you must beware of frequent error ; you
Mill err and stray from the right path, notwithstanding all your
care, and perhaps may not in the course of your life attain this
treasure, which is the alone gift of God. If you pursue the
straightest course, it will take a year to arrive at perfection ; but
if you take wrong ways, you shall be often left behind, sometimes
a year, and must renew your charge and pains, repenting of
your loss and error, in much distraction, care, and perils, with
an expence you can hardly spare. Attend therefore to my coun-
sel, and I shall disclose the secret conditionally. Swear before
the mighty God, that you will, for such a time, abstain from
the attempt or practice; nor shall you in that time, even if you
are at the point of death, disclose some tew points that I will
reveal to yon in secrecy. I swore, and he unlocked his mind to
me : and proved that he did not deceive, by shewing me those
lights, which I shall honestly recount, as far as my oath will
admit.'

The shut palace opened c. 19. contains the following remark-
able account of Eirenseus, by himself: — ' All alchemical books,*
says he, ' abound with obscure enigmas or sophistical operations ;
I have not written in this stile, having resigned my will to the
divine pleasure. I do not fear that the art will be disesteemed,
because I write plainly, for true wisdom will defend its own
honor. I wish gold and silver were as mean in esteem as earth,
then we need not so strictly conceal ourselves. For we are like
Cain, driven from the pleasant society we formerly had without
fear ; now we are tossed up and down as if beset with furies ;
nor can we suppose ourselves safe in any one place long. We
weep and sigh, complaining to the Lord, * behold whosoever
shall find me will slay me ;' we travel through many nations like
vagabonds, and dare not take upon us the care of a family—
neither do we possess any certain habitation : although we possess
all things, we can use but a few ; what, therefore, do we enjoy

Eireiitfiis Philalethcs. 93

except (lie speculations of our minds. Many strangers to the
art, imagine that if they enjoyed it* they would do great good ;
so I believed formerly, but the danger I have experienced has
taught me otherwise. Whoever encounters the eminent peril of
his life, will act with more caution thenceforward. I found the
world in a mo^t wicked state, scarce a man but is guided by
some selfish and unworthy motive, however honest or upright
he is judged in public. An adept cannot effect the works of
mercy to an uncommon extent without, in some degree, confiding
to the secrecy of others; and this is at the hazard of imprisonment
and death. I lately had a proof of it, for being in a foreign
place, I administered the medicine to some distressed poor persons
who were dying, and they having miraculously recovered, there
was immediately a rumour spread abroad of the elixir of life,
in so much that I was forced to fly by night, with exceeding
great trouble; having changed my clothes, shaved my head, put
on other hair, and altered my name ; else I would have fallen
into the hands of wicked men that lay in wait for me, merely
on suspicion, excited by the thirst of gold. I could mention
other dangers, which would seem ridiculous to those who did
not stand in a similar situation. They think they would manage
their affairs better, but they do not consider that all those intel-
ligent people, whose sociecy is chiefly desirable, are extremely
discerning ; and a slight conjecture is enough to produce a con-
spiracy ; tor the iniquity of men is so great, that I have known
a person to have been strangled with a halter on suspicion,
although he did not possess the art, it was sufficient that a des-
perate man heard a report of it. 'Iliis age abounds with alche-
mists, however ignorant of science, they know sufficient to
discover an adept, or to suspect him. — An appearance of secrecy
, will cause them to search and examine every circumstance of
your life. If you cure the sick, or sell a large quantity of gold,
the news is circulated all through the neighbourhood. — The gold-
smith knows that the metal is too fine, and it is contrary to law
for any one to alloy it who is not a regular metallurgist. I once
sold pure silver worth ^GOO, in a foreign country ; the gold-
smith, notwithstanding I was dressed as a merchant, told me
' this silver is made by art.' I asked the reason he said so, he
replied, ; I know the silver that comes from Spain, England, &c.
this is purer than any of them kinds.' Hearing this I withdrew ;
there is no better silver in trade than the Spanish, but if I had
attempted to reduce my silver from its superior purity, and was
discovered, I would be hanged for felony. I never called again
for either the silver or the price of it. The transmission of gold
and silver from one country to another, is regulated by strict
laws, and this is enough to condemn the adept who appears to
have a quantity of it — thus being taught by these difficulties, I
have determined to lie hid, and will communicate the art to thee

94 lives of the Adepts.

who dreamest of performing public good, that we may see what
you will undertake when you obtain it.

The searcher of all hearts knows that I write the truth ; nor
is there any cause to accuse me of envy, I write with an unter-
rified quill in an unheard of stile, to the honor of God, to the
profit of my neighbours, with contempt of the world and it*
riches ; because Elias the artist is already born, and now glori-
ous things are declared of the city of God. I dare affirm, that I
do possess more riches than the whole known world is worth ;
but I cannot make any use of it, because of the snares of
knaves. I disdain loath and detest the idolizing of silver and
gold, by which the pomps and vanities of the world are cele-
brated. Ah, filthy evil ! ah, vain nothingness ! — Believe ye
that I conceal the art out of envy ? no verily, I protest to you, I
grieve from the very bottom of my soul, that we are driven a*
it were like vagabonds from the face of the Lord throughout the
earth. But what need many words, the thing we have seen^
taught and made, which we have, possess, and know, that we
do declare ; being moved Avith compassion for the studious, and
with indignation of gold, silver, and precious stones ; not as-
they are creatures of God ; far be it from us, for in that respect
we honor them, and think them worthy of esteem — but the peo-
ple of God adore them as well as the world; therefore let them
be ground to powder like the golden calf ! I do hope and ex-
pect, that within a few years, money will be as dross ; and that
prop of the anti-christian beast, will be dashed to pieces. The
people are mad, the nations rave, an unprofitable wight is set
up in the place of God. At our long expected and approaching
redemption, the new Jerusalem shall abound with gold in the
streets, the gates thereof shall be made with entire stones, most
precious ones, and the tree of life in the midst of paradise, shall
give leaves for the healing of the nations. I know these, my
writings, will be to men as pure gold ; and through them gold
and silver will become vile as dirt. Believe me, the time is at
the door; I sec it in spirit, when we, adeptists, shall return
from the four corners of the earth ; nor shall we fear any snare*
that are laid against our lives ; but we shall give thanks to the
Lord our God. I would to God, that every ingenious man
in the whole earth understood this science, then it would only
be valued for its wisdom ; and virtue only, would be had in
lion our. I know many adepts who have vowed a most secret
silence — I am of another judgment, because of the hope I have
in my God; therefore I consulted not with my brethren, or with.
flesh and blood, in these, my writings : God grant that it be to
the glory of his name.'

ALCHEMICAL BOOKS.

1 Antonius Abbatia, Zwey Epistlen, 12mo. Hamb.

2 D'Acqueville, les effete tie la picrre divine, 12. Paris,

3 iEGiDius,dialogus inter naturam et filium artis, 8. Franc.

4 F. Aggravio, ISourano Medicina, 8vo. Venet.

5 Geo. Agricola, de Re Mctallica, fol. Basil.

6 Idem, Lapis philosophorum, rare, 16. Colon.

7 J. Agricola, of antimony, German, 4to. Leipzic.

8 L. Alamanni, poema, a chcmic romance 4to. Floren.

9 Alan i, an adept, dicta de lapide, 8vo. Lug.

10 Alberti, Magni, an adept, opera omnia, 21 v. f. Lug.

11 Alchimia, denudata, adept Naxagoras, 8vo. Breslaw,

12 Alchemia, opuscula, nine tracts scarce, 4to. Franco.

13 Alchemia, volumcntractatum, 10, esteemed, 4to. Norim.

14 Alchemia, dialogi duo, Geber and Lully, Svo. Lug.

15 Alchymischer, particular Zeiger, Svo. Rostoc.

16 Bedencken von Alkahest, 8vo.

17 J. H. Alstedii, philos. restituta, 8vo.
Ejusdem panacea philosophica, 8yo.

18 La ruine des Alchimistes, 16.

19 D. P. Amelungi, panegyric on alchemy, 8to.

20 lust. Chr. Amelungs, stein tinctur, 4to.

21 A. Andeloro, usi alchymistici, Messina,

21 Le Sieur de Angelioue, pierre phijoso. 12mo, Paris,

22 Arte, del fuoco per la pietra filosofica, 8vo. Geuov.

23 Avantukes en la recherche de la pierre philos. atlribut

the celebrated Abbe Belin, under Henry IV. 1 2mo. Paris.
£4 Chimiae Aurifodina, incomparabilis, 4to. Lugd. Bat.

25 Vicr Ausserlesene, chymische buchlein, 8vo. Llamb.

26 Aureum seculem. inenstrui universal, Svo. Nurnb.

27 L' Avman, mystique, 12mo. Paris.

28 Alcaest, merveilles de 1' art et de la nature, 12. Paris.

29 Alchvmia, vera lapidis philos, German, Svo. Magd.

30 Altus, mutus liber, fig. hieroglip. adept, fol. Rupcl.
81 Hermeticorum Apocalipsis, 4to. Gedani.

32 Apologie, du grand ceuvre, disesteemed, 12mo. Paris.

33 Arbre, des mysteres de la grace et de la nature,

34 Artificiosissimi Arcani Arca, German, Smo. Fran.

35 Antiquorum philosophorum, Arcano, 8vo. Leip.

36 A strange letter of the treasure of an Adept, 24. Loud.

37 Ars, transmutationis metallicae, 8vo.

.38 Magni philos ; Arcani, revelator, rare, l2mo. Hamb.

672
6SI
595
68'2
621
531
639
570
599
653
708
550
541
548
715
708
612
610
612
607
664.

622

d to
646
696
697
706
659
678
619
677
683
659
646
617
610
680
550
672

96 Alchemical Books.

39 Ancient war of the Knights, by an adept, l2mo. Lond. 1723
40 153 chemical Aphorisms, esteemed, . Lond. 1680

41 King Alphonso, of the Philos. Stone, 4to. Lond. 1652

42 W. Avissoni, philos. pyrotechnica, Paris. 1657

43 Artephius, adept 12th cent, secret book, 24, Lond. 1657
44- Artis Auriferje, 47 treatises, 3 vols. 8vo. Basil, 1610

45 Andreae Alciata, emblamata, Patav. 1618

46 Aurifontina, chym. 14 tracts phil. mere. 24, Lond. 1680

47 E. M. Arrais, tree of life, 8vo. Lond. 1683

48 Elias Ashmole, Theat. Chem. Britanicum, 25, tracts,

English adepts, esteemed, 4to. Lon. 1652

49 Do. James Hasolle, Fasciculus Chemicus, by A. Dec,

8vo. Lond. 1650

50 Roger Bacon, adept, art of chemistry, 16. Lon.

51 The same, Mirror of alchemy, a complete treatise, 4to. 1597
52 admirable power of art and nature, alchemic, ■ -

53 Idem, opus majus, ad Clementum IV. fol. Dub. 1733

54 The same, cure of old age, and preservation of

youth, Svo. Lond. 1683

55 medicine of antimony, 16. 1683

56 Radix mundi, English, alchemical, 12. 1692

57 opus minus. M. S. Lambeth Library, Lond.

58 Ejusd. Thesaurus chimicus, Utilitate scientiarum, 2 alchymia

major, 3 Breviarum de dono Dei. 4 verbum abbreinatum de
Leone viridi, 5 Secretum Secretornm, 6 trinm verborum,
7 Speculum Secretorum. Seven treatises, Svo. Francof. 1603

59 Idem de sccretis operibus artis & naturae, 8vo. Hamb. 1598

60 Fr. Bacon Lord Verulam ; history of metals, f. Lond. 1670

61 Geo. Baker, new jewel of health, 4to. Lond. 1576

62 J. Balbian, tract, septem, lap. phil. rare, 8vo. Lug. 1599

63 Idem Spechio chimico, 8vo. Rome. 1624

64 Secreti medicinali de Petro Bairo, Svo. Venet. 1592

65 C. A. Balduini aura? superioris, 12mo. Amt. 1675

66 Ejusd. Phosphorus hermetiens, Hermes Curios. 1680

67 A. Barlet, 1' ouvrage del' uni vers, 12mo. Paris. 1653

68 J. C. Barchusen, elementa chemiae, 78 alch. emblems.

Lug. Bat. 1718

69 N. Barn audi, a compiler, triga chimica, Svo. Lug. Bat. 1600

70 Fabr. Bartoleti, hermetic© medica, 4to Bonon. 1619

71 Fileum ariadne, per Henrie a Batfdorfli 8vo. Thol. 1639

72 G. Beato, azoth. solide explicatis, 4to. Franc 1613

73 Baron Beausoleil, De Materia Lapidis, esteemed, Svo. 1627

74 J.J. Becher, transmutations at Vienna, Lond. 1681

75 Idem, physica subterranea, esteemed, Svo. Leip. 1738

76 Idem, institutiones hermeticae, 4to. Mogun. 1662

77 Idem, Oedipus Amst. 1716 Laboratium, 8vo. Fran. 16S0

78 Ejusd. opera omnia, 2 v. f. in German. ■ — — •

79 Beguinus, Tyrocinium chemicum, English, Lond. 1669
SO Lib. Benedictus, nucleus sophicus, allegoric, S. Franc. 1623

Alchemical Books. 97

81 A. C Benmu6, anhang der Weisen, Svo. Hamb. 1090

82 Idem, tractatende inenslruo universal!, 8vo. Nurcm. 1709
S3 Idem, iapis philos. scu medicina tmiver. 8.vo. Franc. 1714?
•81' Idem, thesaurus proccssuum chemicorum, 4to. Nurem. 1715

85 John de Berle, opuscule de philosophic, • 4

86 Bericht, von universal ata neye-n, 8vo. 1709

87 Berlichius de medicina universali, 4to. Jena. 1679

88 Bernaedi, Comitis, adept, dechimia, 12mo Geism. 1647

.89 traitedel' auf'des philos. 8vo. Paris. 1G59

90 — - epistle to Thomas of Bononia, 24, Lond. 1680

.91 antiqui opua de chimia, curious, 8. Argent. 1 567

92 Trevisan's fountain, Lond.

93 — La Turbe des philosophes, 8vo: Paris. 1618

J94, _ La parole delaissee, 12mo. 1672

95 De ehimico miraculo, 8vo. Basil. 1600

96 P. Beroalde, histoire des troiii princes, 2 v. 8vo. — — 1610

97 Lepalais.de curicux. poeme, 12mo. Paris. 1584

•98 Le cabinet de mincrva, 8mo. Rouen. 1601

99 M. Bektemau, restitution de Pluton, Srao, Paris. 1618

100 J. B. Besardi, de lapide physico, 4to. Aug. 1617

101 D. JBeuthee, (lived in 1580,) universale, Hamb. 1718

102 O. Bickeri Hermes redivivus, Svo. Hanov. 1620
•108 A. G. Billikius, de tribus principiis, 8vo. Bremen. 1621
104- Ejusdcrn, Deliria chimica Laurenbergii, 8vo. Brem. 1625
105 assertionem opposita Laurenbergio, Svo. Helm. 1624

106 G. B. Birelli, dealchimia, 4to. Firenze. 1602

107 Sol. Blawexstein, contra Kircherum, 4to. Vienna. 1667

108 Bo.dexsteix, a Paracelsiav, opera varia, died 1577,

aged 49, son of Carlostad, the Reformer, fol. Batil. 1581

109 Jacob -Behmen's works, by W. Law, 4 v. 4to. Lond. 1781

110 The same, by EJliston and Sparrow, 10 v. 4to. Lond. 1659
HI . iniroir temporel de 1' eternite, Svo. Fran. 1664

112 Idas chimiee adepta) Boh.mian.e, 12mo. Amst. 1690

113 Edw. Bolnesti, aurora chimica, Lond. 1672

114 Minera delmondo, G. M. Bonardo, 8vo. Mantua. 1591

115 Samuel Bolton, magical but natural physic, 8. Lon. 1656

116 P. Boxo, an adept, Margarita Novella, 4to. Basil, 1572

117 Idem, introductio, in artem divinam alchimia, 8. 1602

118 Ejusdem De secreto omnium secretorum, 8vo. Venet. 1.546

119 I. D. Bonneau de 1' astronomie ini'erieure, 4to. Par. 1636

120 De la Borde de 1' enigme trouve a un pillier, 4to. Par. 1636

121 Petri Borelli, Hermetic, catalogue, 12mo. Par. 1654

122 G. F. Borri, la chiave del cabinetto, this artist died in

prison at Rome, 1695, aged 70. 12mo. Colon. 16S1

123 O. Borrichius progressu chemiae, 4to. Hafhia. 1668

124 Hon. Robert Boyle's works, useful, many edit.

125 J. Braceschi, Gebri explicat, 4to. Lugd. 1543

126 Richard Bradly, work of nature, rare, 8vo. Dub. 1721

127 P. Brachel, German, on spurious potable gold, 8. Col. 1607

128 M. Erbineus Brajjdaw, 12. columjiae natune, 8. Lip. 1689

if

§S Alchemical Hooks.

129 J. F. Brebii., concursus philos. 8vo. Jena. 1726

130 Zac. Brexdelius, de auro potabile agit, 8vo. 1630

131 And. Brextzics, Patav. Farrago philos. 8vo. Amb. 1611

132 Le Bretox, clef's de la philos. Spagirique, 12. Paris. 1726

133 J. D. Broallt, des planets hermetique, 4to. Paris. 1644

134 Buchleix, von farben der alchimisten, 8vo. 1549

135 B Burchelati, Dialog philos, 4to. Treviso. 1603

136 J. Ernest Burgravii, introductio in philos. 4to. Fran. 1623

137 Ejusdern Balxeum Diana?, Lug. 1600-1612

138 AntoniaBAZio Florida Corona, Lug. 1534

139 Dune. Borxetti Jatrochimicus, Franc. 1621

140 Ze fleriele Tomaso Borro opere, Venez. 1624

141 Thomas Brown, natures cabinet, 12mo. Lon. 1657

142 T. Caso, lapis philosophicus, Frankfort. 1660

143 T. Cesar, alchemias speculum, German, 8vo. Franco. 1613

144 B. Cesii, medicatorum fossilium, rare, fol. Lug. 1636

145 M. Campegii, de transmutati. metal, 4to. Lug. 1583

146 J. de Carellis, de auri essentia, 8vo. Venet. 1646

147 A. Carerius, metalla artis permutari, 4to. Patav. 1579

148 Jo. Cast, Lapis philosophicus, 4to. Oxon. 1599

149 G. Castagxe, Lesoeuvres hermetique, 4 tracts,^. Paris. 1661

150 Cato, chemicus, 12mo. Lypsine. 1690

151 Ar. Cephali, mercurius triumphans, 4to. Magdeb. 1600

152 Charles VI. tresor de philosophic, 8vo. Paris.

153 J. Chartier, antimoine, plomb sacre, 4to. Paris. 1651

154 G. Chiaramoxte, elixir vite, 4to. Genoa. 1590

155 Christop. Paris, adept \Sth age, chimica, 8vo. Paris. 1649

156 Ciiymia phiiosophica, 8vo. Norimberg. 16S9

157 E. Lucii, Claf, lapide christo sophico, 4to. Ingol. 1582

158 G. Claudeiu, de tinctura universal!, 4to. Altenb. 167S

159 E. Claves des principes de nature, 8vo. Paris. 1633

160 Gas. Clavei, adept, Argyropocia?, 8vo. Niver. 1590

161 Idem, philos. chim. 1612, prep, auri, 8vo. Frank. 1602

162 Idem, ratione proginendi, Lap. Phi!. 8vo. Nivers. 1592
3 63 F. Clixge, philosophia hermetica, German, 4to. 1712

164 Collectanea chemica, 10 tracts, 16; Lond. 1684

165 J. Collessox, not esteemed, de la Ph. Hermetique,

8vo. Paris. 1630

166 G. Colletet clavicule ei la vie R. Lully, 8vo. this diligent

alchemist died very poor, Paris. 1647

167 L. Colson, philos. maturata. German, 8vo. Flamb. 1696

168 L. Combacjiius, salt and secret of philos. 16. Lond. 1657

169 J. A. Comenius, natural philos. reformed, 16. Lond. 1651

170 L. Comitibus, approved, de alkaest, 4to. Venet. 1661

171 CoGiTATroNES, circa alchaest, German, 8vo. Fran. 1708

172 W. Cooper, catalogue of alchemical books, 8vo. Lond. 1675
J 73 Commentatio, de lapide philos. Svo. Cologn. 1595
3 74 H. Coxradi, Kmirath, symbolum, esteemed, 8vo. Mag. 1599
175 EjubdemAmphithcatruin^tciiiyeiSSapicrjtiiJe, 4to. Mag. 1608

Alchemical Books. 90

176 Idem, magnesia catholics, de chao, 12mo. Argen. 1599

177 Menu. Conringii, contra, Hcrmetica, 4to. Helm. 1648
173 Cosmopolita, novum lumen, adept, 12 treatises, enigma*

dialogue, d'ye, by Alex. SethoniS\o. Prague- 1604

179 La mome. ses lettres, spnrio?ts, 2 v. 12mo. Paris. 1691

180 J. A. Cbame&i, fossilium, 2 v. Svo. Lug. Bat. 1730

181 Gaspar Cremeri, de transmut. metal. Svo.

1S2 J. C. Creilingius, de transmut. metal. 4to. Tubing.

183 Osw. Crollii, Basilica chimica, in English, fol. Lond. 1670

184 The same, philosophy reformed, 12mo. Lond. 1657

185 Crollius, redivivus, stein tinctur, 4to. Fran. 1635

186 Barab. Cicoli.ini, via brevis, Romoe. 1696

187 Clavis, Ottonis Tachenii, Venetiis. 1677

188 L. Cozzandi, magistero antiq. Colon. 1684

189 J. Chesne, de plus curieus etrares, Paris. 1648

190 Nic. Culpepper, three-fold world, 8vo. Lond. 1656

191 Curiosities of chemistry, Lond. 1691

192 Mathieu Dammy, sur chimie. son of a Genoese stonecutter \

travelled as a Marquiss, 8vo. Amst. 1739

193 Jolian. Dastinii, visio, English adept, 8vo. Franc. 1625

194 Ejusdem, Rosarium correctius, 8vo. Geismar. 1647
195E. Deani, tractatus varii alchimia, rare, 4to. Fran. 1630

196 Dr. Arthur Dee, fasciculus chimicus, 12mo. Lond. 1650

197 Dr. Joannes Dee, rnonas hierogliphica, 1564

198 Idem, Propasdeumata naturse virtutibus, 4to. Lond. 1568

199 Democritus, de arte sacra, adept, 8vo. Patav. 1573

200 Dichiaratione, degl' filosofi alchimisti, 4to. Rome. 1587

201 E.Dickinson, de chrysopoeia. Physician to King Charles IT.

and saw a transmutation, Svo. Oxon. 1686

$02 Gerard Dorneus, clavis philosophia, this ParaCelsian, wrote

17 alchemical books, 12mo. Lugd. 1567

203 Fra. Donato, Eremita, adept, Elixir Vite, Napoli. 162*

204 C. Drebelli us, quinta essentia, not an adept, 8. Hamb. 1621

205 M. Duchesne, de la violette, ouvres, 6 v. 8vo- Par. 1635

206 Lameme medicine metalique, 1641 ; miroir du monde, 8vo.

Lyons. 1593

207 J. Dumbelei hortus amoris arboris philosophicas, 8vo.

Fran. 1625

208 Disputatio solis et mercurii cum Lapide Philos. ' ancient

war,' Svo. Tolos. 1646

209 C. Deodato, pantheum hygiasticum. Brunstruti, 1628

210 St. Dunstan, on the philosophers stone, Lond.

211 Efferarius, an adept, de lapide philos. Svo. Argent. 1659

212 Idem, Thesaurus philosophicus, esteemed and scarce, Svo.

Argent. 1659
513 Epistola, cujusdam patris ad filium, 8. Lugd. Lyons. 1601

214 Epistolarum, philos. chemicarum, fol. Francofurti. 1598

215 Thcj»8f Erasti, <k aurapotabili, 8vo. Basil. 1578-1584

100 Alchemical Books.

^16 Laz. Erkerx, de Re metallka, excellent, fbl. Francofl
1629, Eng. Lond. 1683

217 L' Escaliee des sagos, avec figures, currents and scarce, fol.

Groningen. 1689

218 John Espagxet, president of Bourdeaux, wrote "sit hunt

name, viz. Enchiridion physica t estituta, Paris. 1608

219 Enchiridion philosophise hermefcieas, Svo. The

anonymous works of' this esteemed adept in English, 16,
Lond. 1651, Paris. 16.38-

220 L'Expositio-xe deGeberFilosofoyrZ/s^/to'Miy/, 12.- Venet. 1544

221 D. Ei'CHioxTisde aquisoleis &salibus philos^. Francof.1567

222 M. Eygeim lepilote de l'onde, scarce, 12. Paris. 1678.

223 Eclaircissemext dcla pierrephilosophale, 8vo. Paris. 1648

224 Emblamata de secretis naturae dbemica, 4to. Oppen. 16JS

225 Examex des principes des alchemistes, 12mo. Paris. 1711

226 M. Elmtlleri opera omnia, Venet. 1727

227 P. J. Fabri, not an adept, alchimista Christianus, Svo.

This skilful chemist wrote 1 7 books of alchemy, Tolo. 1632

228 G. Faericius de rebus metallici?, 8vo. Tiguri. 1565

229 ISecreti diversi, raccolti del G. Fallopius, Svo. Venet. 15 78

230 Leon. Fjoeavaxt, with Paracelsus Peuotus and Isaac.

4to. Lond. 1652

231 J. C. Faxeyxi de artis afchimia?, Svo. Basil, 1576

232 Idem, mctamorphosi metallica, Svo. BasiL 1660

233 J, M. Faustii Philaletha illustrates, Svo. Francofurti. 1706

234- Idem, Pandora chemica, hermetic extracts, 1706

H35 Ed. Fextox, 3ecretsand wonders of nature, Lond. 1659?

236 J. Ferxelius abditis rerum causis, doubtful. 8. Par. 1560

237 Phil. Ferxel soliloquium salium, Neapoli. 1649

238 Josua Ferro meravigiiosi secreti, Svo. Venet. 1606

239 B. Figulj Paradisus aureolus hermetiens, 4to. Fran. 1600

240 Idem, auriga benedictus spagyricus, 12mo. Norim. 1609

241 G. Figeli medecina universalis, 12mo. Brux. 1660-

242 Filareto racolto di secreti, Svo. Fioren. 1573-

243 J. V. Fixcki enchiridion hermetico, 16. Lip. 1626
242* Nicholas Flamel, an adept, summary, 24. Lond. 1680
243* Do. explanation of his hieroglyphics, Svo. Lond. 1624

244 La nieme le desir desire, ou tresor de philosophic — —

245 La memele grand ccclaircissement, 8vo. Paris. 1628

216 De la meme la musique chimique — - —

247 Idem, annotationes in D. .Zaeharium, spurious. — — -

243 Roberti Feud clavis alchim. 2 v, f. Francof.

249 La Foxtaixe des amoureux de science, 16. Paris. 1561

250 La Foxtaixe pcrilleuse, reputed, 8vo. Paris. 1572

251 P. Fradix histoire fabuleuse, scarce, 8vo. Lyons. 1560

252 Von Fraxkexberg gemma magica, 8vo. Ainst. — —

253 J. Fheixu prelectiones chemica, Lond. 1704
25 i J. Fhickii/s de auro potabile sophiatarum, 4. Ham. 1702

Alchemical Books. 10 1

"255 D. G. Frischi anatomia alchimiae, Svo. Parma. 1696

256 L. Fruxdeek de elixir arboris vita?, Svo. Hague. 1660

257 J. N. Fcrichius de lapidc philosophico, 4to. Argent. 1631

258 Lc Filet d'ariadne, hermetic, 8vo. Paris. 1693-

259 P. Gabella de lapide philos. 4to Cassel. 1615

260 J. Garlandii, dictionarium alchimiae, Svo. Basil. 1571

261 C. Gamcn, trcsor des tresors, 2 vols. 12mo. Lyons. 1610

262 Gault, les errenrs del'art refutee's 4to. Par. 1588

263 Geber's works, adept, Chorasan, $th age, 1. Investigation of

perfection, 2. Stmt of do. 3. Invention of Verity, 4.

Furnaces, 8vo. Gedani. 1682

264- J. C. Gerhardi, panacea hermetica, 8vo. Ultn. 1649

265 Idem — in apertorium Lullii, Svo. Tubing. 1641

266 D. Germanni, judicium philosophicum, 8vo. 1682

267 F. S. E. Gf.rzax, vrai tresor, disesteemed, Svo. Paris. 1653

268 La mcrae L'histoire Africaine, ehemie, Svo. Par. 1634

269 Flavio Girolani, Ja pietro filosophica, 4to. Venet. 1590

270 P. Givry, arcanum acidularum, 12mo. Amst. 1682

271 Rmaldo Giangi, Istruzione speziaie, Roma. 1715

272 J. R. Glauber's works, chemistry, fol. London. 1689

273 Jos. Goxelli, thesaurus philosoph. Neapoli. 1702

274 Mi. Guiberto, dc interitu alchymiae, Tulli. 1614?
Idem, alchimia ratione et experientia, Svo. Arg. 1603-

275 Fabio Glissenti dellapietra de. filosofi. 4to. Venet. 1596

276 Glutten, miaerale demercurio philos. 8vo. Lips. 1705

277 J. Gohory, ancien poeme, science minerale, 8, Paris. 1572

278 Gloria mundi soustein paradeis, Hamb. 1692

279 B. Godfrey, miscellaneous experiments, Svo. Loud.

280 Apologie pour le grand ouvre* par D. B. 12. Par. 1659

281 G. Granger, que les metaux ont vie, 8vo. Par. 1 GiO

282 William Gratarole, on the philos. stone, 4to. Lond. 1652

255 Ejusd. vera alchemia, 23 tracts, 2 vols. 8vo. Bas. 1572

284 Jod. Greveri, sccretum magnum, 8vo. Lugd. 1588

285 Jac. Grevin, del'antimoine contre Launay, 4to. Par. 1567

256 J. Grimaldij Senator, dell' akhimiae, 4to. Palermo. 1645
287 J. B. Groschedale, proteus mt?rcurialis, 4to. Francof. 1629
28S Ejusd. mineralis lapidem descriptio, Svo. Hamb. 1706
289 hermetisches Kleebat, weisheit, Svo. Fran. 1629

290 J. Guidi, alchimisticis, de thesauris, 4 to. Venet. 1625

291 A. Guntherus, spagirices, 1623, Essentia, 8vo. Brem. 1621

292 P. Guissonius, tribus principiis, 8vo. Fran. 1666

293 Dom Gulielmi, de salibus, 8vo. Lugd. Bat. 1707

294 Guide to alchemy, Lond.

295 E. Hagedon, secreta sparigica, Jena. 1676

296 Hermophile, canones hermetici, 8vo. Marpurgh. 1608

297 Hadrianeum, de aureo philosoph. 8vo. Rotho. 1651

298 S. Haffeurefferi, officina hermetico, Svo. Ulm. no date

299 J. L. Hannemajsni, ovum hermetico, &vo. Franc 1694

J 03 Alchemical Books.

300 N. N. HapeEIUS, chieragogia heliana, 8vo. Marp. 1613

301 J. Hartman's works, London, et Latin,tb\. Franc. 1684

302 C. Haumerie, secrets les plus caches, Par. 1722

303 J. O. Helbegii, inauditam phisicam, 8vo. Ham. 1680
304< Idem centrum naturae concentratum, 12mo. Gedani. 1682

305 Same, salt of nature, by Alipili, 16. Lond. 1696

306 Idem deviribus hermeticis, 12mo. Amst. 1683

307 I Ieli.e, speculum alchemiae, Franciscan, 8vo. Fra. 1614

308 J. B. FI^lmont's works translated, tbl. Lond. 1664

309 J. O. Helw;g, curioste akhemia, 8vo. Leip. 1710

310 J. F. Helvetius, of a transmutation ; he was jirrt physician

to the Prince of Orange, Svo. Lond. 1670

311 FIermetis Trismegisti 7 capitula, adept, Svo. Lips. 1600

312 Idem, 7 chapters, tablet and 2nd book, Svo. Lond. 1692

313 John Heydon, saph'ric medicine* fol. Lond. 1665

314 Hierogliphica Egyptio Graeca de lapide, 4to. Basil. 1571

315 F. Hoffman, dissertationcs tres, 4to. Haf. 1725

316 H. C. Kirchensis, magnesia Catholica, German

317 Ewald. Hoghelande, historia transmutat. Svo. Colon. 1604?
31 S Theo. Hoghelande, alchimiae difficult. Svo. Colon. 1594

319 Isaac FIolland, adept, vegetable work, 4to. Lond. 165&

320 Idem, de triplici ordini elixiris, 8vo. Bern. 1608

321 Idem, mineralia opera, delap. ph-il. Middl. 1600
S22 Idem, opera universalia et vegetabilia, Arnh. 1617

323 Idem, universal] opere sicut Jilio suo M. Johanni, Isaaco

Hollando e Flandria pater no animo, 8vo. Fran. 1669

324 C. Hornei, de metallis medicis, Svo. Helm. 1624

325 Hortulanus, hermeticus cum t fig, 8vo. Franc. 1627
320 Same, reign of Saturn revived, Lond. 1698

327 Hylealischen, naturl chaos, Svo. Franc. 1708

328 Histoiue, philos. hermetique, Lcnglet, 3 v. Svo. Hay. 1742

329 Hermetical banquet, 8vo. Lond. 1652

330 Hydropyrographieu, true fire water, 24. Lond. 16S0

331 Icon, philos. occultoe, esteemed, Svo. Par. 1672

332 DcIgne, magorum philos. C. Kunrath, Svo. Argent. 1608

333 Pape Jean XXI I. L'art transmutatoire, Svo. Lyons. 1557

334 Joannes, fil Zacchariae de spiritus, 2 v. Lug. 1556

335 Secreti della Isabella, Venet. 1665

336 Isagoge, triunus Dei et naturae, 8vo. Ham. 1674

337 Chev. Imperial lemiroir d'alchimie, 16. Paris. 1609

338 Jacques Dubourg, saint Saturne de la chimie.

339 J. Jebsenu, de lap. phil. discursis, 4to. Rost.

310 Guil. Johnsoni, Lexicon hermeticarum, 8vo. Lond.

311 J. Joxstoni, regni mineralis* 12mo. Lip.

312 Idem, Thaumatographia naturalis, 12mo. Amst.

343 Abel Isnard, la medicine universelle, 4to. Par.

344 J. H. Juxgken, chimia curiosa, 8vo. Franc.

345 Edw. Kejjleus, de lapide pliilos. 8vo. Ham.

Alchemical Books. lO.'J

S46 Kalid, drab) adept, secrcta alchimia, Svo. Lond. 1692

347 M. Kk kg Kiii, de lermentatione, Wittenb. 1663

348 R. A. Keuger, dc sol. chemicorum, Bruns. 1713

349 T. Kiikki:in\;ii, in Basilii, 8vo. Amst. 1671

350 G. C. Kriegsmaxxi, in tabulae Hcrmetis, sine loco

351 J. Kuxckel, experiments, Svo. Lond. 1705

352 J. C. Kuxst, de menstruo universali, 4to. Hal. 1737

353 Am Kerxeri, de auro mercurio antimonio, 12. Erfur. 1618

354 F. Kieseiu, azoth solificatum, 1666

355 Athan. Kirc.heri, mundus subter. 2 vols. fol. Amst. 1678

356 G. Kircmayer, lueisetigne philos. 4to. Vitteb. 1680

357 Kleixold, schatz der philosophen, Svo. Fran. 1714
S5S L. G. Kxorr, Basil re Jivivus, German, 8vo. Lep. 1716

359 V. Koffski, vonder Ehrste tinctur burtzel, 4to. Dan. 1681

360 J. Lacixium, pretiosa margarita, Svo. Venet. 1546

361 Lapis metaphisicus, rare, 8vo. Paris. 1570

362 D. Lagxei consensus philos. Svo. Paris. 1601

363 Lampas vitas et mortis, 12mo. Lugd. Bat. 1678

364 S.B. Lam bye, revelation of the secret spirit,8vo. Lond* 1623
S65 An Italian comment on this by Agnelli, 1665

366 Guillaume Lamy sur I'antimoine, l2mo. Paris-

367 Carlo Laxcilotti, guida alia chemia, 12mo. Mod. 1672

368 Idem, d'ell antimonio, 12mo. Modene. 1683

369 Idem, triomfo del mercurio, 16. Modene. 1677

370 Abbe Lenglet du Fresnoi catal. livresherm. S.Paris. 1762

371 Lav. Lemxius, secret miracles of nature, fol. Lond. 1658

372 Franc: Tertii de Laxis, magisterium, 3 vol. fol. Brix. 1684

373 J. Lasxioso Bohemi, tractatus aureus, 8vo. 1612

374 Ven. Lavixi Moravi, de Cceio terrestri, Svo. Marp. 1612

375 Lou. Lazaret., Italian, le basin d'Hcrmes, Svo. Paris. 1577

376 Nic. Lemery de I'antimoine, 12mo. Paris. 1707

377 Lettre philos. de Vallemand, par Duval, 12mo. Par. 1674

378 Thomas Lee, of the sovereign balsam, Lond. 1665

379 Lettre sur le secret du grand ouvre, 12mo. Hdy. 1686

380 Camilla Leonaudi, speculum lapidem. Parisiis 1610

351 Andr. 'Libavii ''//«/. Saxon. 44 lib. alchimia, f. Franc. 1595

352 Liberii, cabalistico scriptus, 8vo. Fran. 1623

383 Lud. Locatelli, d'arcani chimici, Svo. Vcnet. 1648

384 Loxg Livers, young several ages, f. Lon. 1722

385 J. Locoues, philos. naturelle, scarce, Svo. Par. 1665

386 F. Lossii, de mort curationibus, Lip. 16S5
3S7 C Loxgixo, trinum magicum, rare, 12mo. Fran. 1616
388 Lucerxa, salis philos. curious, 8vo. It is by John

Harprecht, of Tubingen, a pressed adept. Amst. 1658
3S9 C. Lucu, lapide christo sophico, 4to. Ingolst. 1582

390 Raymundi Lulli, an adept o\ nmia, Svo. Argent. 1597

391 Same, testament and codicil, ivicula, 24. Lond. 1686

392 Idem, practica artis, f. Lug, io23, secretis, 8. Arg. 15*1

104 Alchemical Books.

3£3 Idem, mercuriorum. repertorium.apertorium, 8. Colon. 1566

894 alchimia. magia naturalis, Svo. Norimb. 1546

395 -7- — testamentum novissimum, 8vo. Basil 1572

896 - de aquis mineral. Epist. Rupert, 8vo. Colon. 1567

397 tertia distinctio transmutatione, 4to. Nor. 1546

S98 -- aquis super accurtationes, Svo. Arg. ^**

599 secreta magnolia alchimia, Lugd. Bat. 1602

400 Glossasopra Raim. LucLlo, Veaezta. 1684

401 Blaquerna in Lullie.m, deamicoet amate, 32. Paris. !

402 Summaria lapidis abbreviationes, foL Basil. 1561

403 Le vademecum abrege de Tart, 8vo. Paris. 1613

404 Cantilena ad Regem Anglorum, Svo. Col. 155,3

405 de conservaiione vita?, tiff*. Argent. 1616

406 de secretis medicina magna, Basil. 1600

407 Luiiius redivivus, Svo. Norim. 1703

408 opera alchemia R. Lully, 2 vol. Lond. 1573

409 Histoire R. Lille, par Vernon, par Colietct, 12. Par. 1668

410 Lg Litmus re sortantde tenebres, 12. Par. 1687

411 I|p Lapide philosophico, Svo. 1618

412 I*p Lapiois pliysici conditionibus, 8.vo. Colon. 1595
4*13 Disceptation de Lapide philos. Svo. Col. 1678

414 Ludovicus Comitibus, practice manuaHs, F rancor.

415 Maxuale hermeticum, W. S. D. C. P. C. Wofenb. 1655

416 Magxi philos. arcani revelator, 12mo. Genev. 1688

417 Of the blessed manna of the philos. * Land. 1680
41S Maria Egypti. dialog, adej t, a. si. 3630, 8vo. Leip. 1708

419 G. C. Maffei scala nattirale, Svo. Venet. 1564

420 M. Majeri chemicum per oculis, oOJig. 4to. Fran. 1687

421 J. J, Maxgeti hiblioth. chemi. curiosa, 2 vols, folio. It

contains 133 alchemic tracts, (36 are from TheaL C/icm.)
viz. Arid&uS) Artepluns, Avi.cenna, Aristotle, Arnold,
Alius, Augurelli, Albinus, Bacon, Becker, Blaucnstcin,
Borrichius, Bracheshj, Bono, Bernard, Basil, Bcrnaud,
Baldumus, Cato, Clauder, Chortalasseus, Cnqfftlius,
Domea, Dastin, Espagnet, Faber, Fanianus, Ficinus,
Friben, Geber, Gerard, Guido, Hermes, Hoghela?idt
Jlehetius, Icon, Johnson, Kalid, Kirchcr, Kriegmatu
Jjibavius, Leiscis, Lidty, Massa solis, Merlin, Morhoff,
Morien, Malvisius, F. Mirandola, T. Norton, Orthclius,
Paracelsus, Fir. Philalethes, Pantalcon, Ripley, Richard,
Rupecissa, Sachs, Sendivogiits, Stolcius, Todcnfeld, Za-
dith, Zacharia, Col. 1702

422 B. Mark, hermetischen philos. herren, Svo. Strasb. 1701

423 Margarita, philosophica, 4to. Basil. 1583

424 Mars philosophische, vel azoth, 2S p. 8. Fran. 1656

425 La Martixiere, la tombeau de la fclie, 12. Paris.

426 B. Mazotta, triplici philos. 4to. Banon. 1653

427 P. Mass ix, Liegeois, de la pierre philosophale,

428 C. Medices, dess steins der weisen, Svo. 1706

Alchemical Books. 105

429 MediciSTA melallorum. transmutatio. 4to. , Lip. 1723

430 Medicinische, universal sonne, Svo. Hamb. 1706'

431 Mercurhjs, triumphans, rare, 4to. Miigd. 1600
4.32 J. G. Meerheim, insonderheit hcrmetischer, 8. I-t*ip. 170$
i33 Mercurius, redivivus, scarce, 4to. Franc. 1630

434 G. Mennens, sacra? philosophise, 4to. Antw. 1604

435 Mercury's caducean rod, by Cleidophorus, 16. Load. 170/4

436 Maria Mel'rdrack, light of chem. German, 12. Frari. 1712

437 Jean de Meun, ses ouvrcs, 3 tomes, 12mo. Paris. 1735

438 La meme le miroir d'alchimic, IS. Par. 1613

439 N. Melceki, lapis philosophorum, foh 1449

410 J. D. Mil it, disesteemed, chem. cum Jig. 4 to. Fran. 1620

441 JEjusd. /Eneis illustratus, curious, 4to. Fran. 1622

442 R. Minder'ii, Jatrochimica. Aug. IG\>>

443 Minera del mondo, secreti di natura, 12. ^en. 1659

444 H. Minzicht, med. chem. Svo. Hamb. 1638

445 A. Mizaldi, Moris, arcanorum, 16. Colonise. 1572
Idem, lapide aurcophilos. 4to. Plmnb. 1631

446 H. Mollii, physica hermetiea, Svo. Franc. 161,9

447 J. B. Montanij Vcronensis, arte alcliem. lib. 18.

448 J. Monte, med. univers. per univer. Menstr. 8. Fr. 1678

449 Idem, hermetischen guldenen fluss, 8vo. Uhn. 16S0

450 V. Monte, hermet kleeblat mil jigur, 8. Nur. 1667

451 P. Morestel, de lapierre naturelle, 12. Rouen. 1607

452 Morienus, adept, de tranfigurationc metal. 4. Han. 1565

453 Thi. Meresini, metal, transubstant. 8. Han. 1593

454 D. G. Morhofii, metal, transmut. Svo. Ham. 1G73

455 C. L. Morleii, collect, chem. esteemed, 8. Ant. .1702

456 P. MoR3in, arcana natime. . Lugd. 1630

457 J. Mortii, opera varii. Lug Bat. 1696

458 M. Motreu, Amadis de Gaul, livre I4me.

459 Der Von Mose, urtheilende alehymist, Svo. Chem. 1706'

460 Laviede P. Mouilhet, de Carcassonne, avccfig.8. Par. 1613

461 A. Muller, paradiess spiegel* Svo. Lcips. 1704

462 P. Mulleri, Friburgh, miracula chem. 12. Rcgio. 1614

463 J. E. Muller, des steins der weisen, 8vo. Franc. 1707

464 Mutus liber, Alius, the process in\5 pfew^fol. Rup. 1677

465 F. Mysii, secretis anlimonii, Svo. Basil. 1575

466 J. D. Mylii, philosophia refbrmata. Fran. 1622

467 Ejusd. Basilica philosophia. 1618

468 L. Meysonnier, la belle magic. Lyons. 1669

469 Mercurii Trismegisti, sapientia Del. Basil. 1532

470 Museum, Hermeticum, 21 tracts, 4to. viz. Alze, Crcmer,

Flamel, Hydrolitus, Helve this, Lamp spring, de Mcv.n,
Mynsicht, Majcrus, T. Norton, Philalethes, PansopluiSj,
Sendivogius. Franc. 1677

471 Teodo. Nadasyi, teorica prattici. Cosmop. 17 IS

472 G. B. Nabre, L. Salerno, mctamorfosi metal. 4; Brcsc. 1564

473 Chev. Inconnu, la nature au decouvert, 8vo. Aix. 1669

105 Alchemical Books.

474 History of Nature, confirmed by exper. 8vo. Loncl. 1679

475 J. B, Nasart, Bresciano, della transmutat, 4io. Bresc. 1599

476 Idem, concordanza de i filosofi. 4to. Bresc. 1599

477 J. Equitis Von Naxagoras, Veritas hermetica, 8. Vrat. 1712

478 Idem, alchimia denudata, German, 8vo. Vratislau. 1716

479 Theop. Neander, heptas alchimica, Svo. Malice. 1621

480 Hcnr. Nehusi, Dantiscani, curious, 16. Havnie 1618

481 H. Nollius, corruption and generation, 8vo. Lond. 1657

482 Idem, theoria philos. hermeticae. 8vo. Hanov. 1617

483 Samuelis Norton i, 7 tractatds chimici cum tfig. 1 catholic

physic, 2 elixir vitriol, 3 mercury revived, 4 medicine of
life, 5 saturn saturated, 6 gems of pebbles, 7 alchemy,

4to. Fran. 1630

484 Thomas Norton, ordinall of alchemy, 4to. Lond. 1652

485 Dom. Nuysement, true salt of philos. 8vo. Lond. 1657

485 D. A. Oh ac an, Spaniard, in Arnoldi, fol. Hisp. 1514

486 Le grand Ouvre, 79 metamorphoses, ami da Flamel, Svo.

Franc. 1614

487 Opuscula diversorum authorum, 8vo. Franc. 1614

488 Opus tripartitum de philos. arcanis, 8vo. Lond. 1678

488 Orontii Finei'de philos. lapide, 4to. Paris. 1542

489 Ortholanus vera alchimia*, Parisiis. 1358

490 Parkhurst's sympathetic mummy, Lond. 16.53

491 Le Petit Pays an, alch. German, rare, Svo. Strasb. 1619

492 Pantaleonis bifolium metaliicum, Norim. 1676

493 J. Padua, sapientia consummata.

494 J. Pagez, les miracles de la creation, 8vo. Par. 1632

495 B. Palissy, les moyen de devenir richc, 12mo. Par. 1636

496 La meme, du jardinage; de la chimie, 8vo. Par. 1580

497 Palladis chimicoe, J. B. Maringuc, rare, 8vo. Genev. 1674

498 Palladium spagiricum, Svo. Paris. 1624

499 Petri Palmarii, M.D. Paris, lapis philos. Svo. Paris. 1609

500 Lucidas Pamphilus, theatri alchymistico, Svo. 16S1

501 Mart. PanSjE, libellus aureus, 8vo. Lips. 1615

502 J. A. Pantherus, transmutat. metal. Svo. Paris. 1550

503 Theophrasti Paracelsi, opera omnia, 3 v, fol. Gen. 1662

504 Same, philosophy to the Athenians, 12mo. Lond. 1657

505 Same, prescriptions of 114 cures, 4to. ' 1659

506 Idem, compendium vitas et catalogus, Basil, 1568

507 Same, arehidoxis of nrcanums and elixirs, 8vo. Lon. 1663

508 Idem, aurora, Svo. Basil. 1577, de tartaro, Svo. Basil. 1570

509 Idem, medico chimico chirurgica, ] 2 tomes, 4to. Franc. 1603

510 Idem, archidoxorum, lib. 10. Svo. Colon. 1570

511 Idem, pyrophilia vexationem, 8vo. Basil. 1568

512 Idem, philosophise adeptae, Svo. Basil.

513 Idem, de mercuriis metallorum, Sro. Colo. 1582

514 Idem, philosop. magnas, 7 lib. de grudibus, Basil. 1568

515 Same, key of philosophy, Svo. Lond. 15SQ

Alchemical Books. 107

316 Carrie, ch;m. transmut, 1657, sympathy, 8vo. Lon. 1656
517 Philadelphia or brotherly love, Lond. — —

5 ! 8 The Pi; ivy Seal of secrets Lond. — —

519 John Partridge, treasury of secrets, 8vo. Lond. 1591

520 F, Pariricii, magia philos. Zoroastris, 8vo. Hamb. 1593

521 Pelagii, Grcci, in Democritum arte sacra, 8 vo. Col. 1574
523 Mar. Poli, II trionfo de gli acido, Roma. 1706
5 24 Pelletier, V alcaest 'de Helmont, esteemed, 12mo.

Rouen. 1704

525 B. Penotus, alchemists enchiridion, 12mo. Lon. 1692

526 Idem, de materia lapidis philosophorum, 8vo. Bern. 1608

527 David Persons, salamandra, 4to. Lond. 1636

528 John Petty, mine laws of England, f. Lond. 1610

529 II. Petrei, nosologia hermetica, 4to. Marg. 1614

530 G. Ph^edronis, iatro chemica, 8vo. Franc. 1611

531 J. P. Pharmundi, compend. Hermet. 12mo. Fran. 1635

532 Philosophic epitaph by W. C. Svo. Lond. 1673

533 Eirenoeus Philaletha, anon, adept ; secrets revealed, or an

open entrance to the shut palace, 12mo. Lond. 1669

534 Same, transmutation of metals, 2 celestial ruby, 3 fountain of

chemical philosophy, Lond. ■

535 Same, Ripley revived, a commentary, 8vo. Lond. 1678

536 Eir. Philoponus Philalethes, marrow of Alch. 12mo.

Lond. 1709

537 B. P. Philalethes, alchem : Enchiridion, Lond. 1692

538 Eugenius Philalethes, E?iglish, 8vo. London-, 1 Theo-

magia, 2 magia Adamica, 3 Anima magica abscondita,
4 Lumen de Lumine, 1651 ; 5 confession of the Rosicross,
1659; 6, Waters of the East, 1671 ; 7, aula Lucis, 1652.

539 PHiLALETHiE, Wigands vom rothen schilde, 12. Ham. 1675

540 T. Philaleta, theosophischer wunder saal, 8vo. 1709

541 Philosophus Gallus, de arbore solari, 8vo. Arg. 1659)

542 J. F. Picus Mirandola, de auro, 4to. Venet. 1586

543 V. Pin^eus, de concordia Hipoc. et Paracel. 8vo.Arg. 1569

544 H. Platt, jewel house of art, 4to. Lond. 1594s

545 Projet du Plan, de la creation, 8vo. Paris. 1653

546 D. Planis Campi, 1' ecole transmutatoire, 8vo. Paris. 1633
54-7 La Meme de la medicine universelle, 8vo. Par. 1633

548 A. Politii, 5 essentia solutiva, 4vo. Panorm. 1613

549 John Pontanus, adept, sophic fire, 24. Lond. 1624

550 Idem, de rebus celestibus Fiorenza, 1520

551 J. Poppii, hodogeticus chemicus, German, 1627

552 Ham. Poppius, basilica antimonii, 4to. Fran. 161 S

553 J. B. Porta, de aeris transmutationibus, 4to. Romas. 1610

554 Idem, spiritali, Napo. 1606, magia naturale, Nap. 1611

555 M. Potier, apol. hermetico philos. 4to. Franc. 1630

556 Idem, vera materia et processu lapidis, 8vo. Franc. 1617

557 Idem, Fons chimicus vera auri conficiendi, 4to. Col. 1637

558 Idem, philos. pura. lapidis, 8vo, Francof* 1617

J€8 Alchemical Books. ,

559 P. PoTirn, opera omnia, disestecmed, 4to. Franc. 1692

560 Pr^ei, nosofogia hermetica, 4to. ■ 1615

561 Processes for the philos. stone, German, 8vo. Jena. 1704'

562 M. Pruggmayr, vero elixire vitae. Salis. 1687

563 Practise of the green lion by a Rosicrucian,

5C4 P. Prldhomme, deux merveille, l2mo. Par. 1669

5*65 Pietra de philosopha catala, Ascoli. 1737

566 M. G. Pittore, dialogi, Venez. 1550

567 Privy seal of secrets or first matter, Lond. 1680

56S Quercetan hermetical physic, 4to. 1605

56D Florian Randorf, on the philos. stone, 4to. Lond. 1652

570 Silv. Rattri, thcatrum sympatheticum, Norim. 1658

571 C. A. Kamsaio, observations, J. Kunkell, Rott'. 1678

572 Mariani Rant;e, English Projifietess, apocaliptica clavis auri-

facturum brevi promitlens, rare, 8vo. Tolosce.

573 S. Raphaeeis, de sale sulphure et lnercurio, 12.

574 Raphael Rabbards, book of alchemy, 4to. Lond. 1591
6.15 Reconditorilm ppulenliae, esteen.ed, 4to. Amst. 1666

576 Regio salutifcra; prima materiae, 8vo. Fran. 1708

577 Reinecceri thesaurus chimicus, 8vo. Leip. 1609

578 E. Renaudot, de 1' antimoine Justine, 4to. Paris. 1653

579 Respour sur Y esprit mineral, 12. Paris. 1668

580 S. Reyiieui juridico philosophica, 4to. Kibioe. 1692

581 J. Rhenani hermonie decades duae, Bhasis, Merlin, Guido,

Saure, Wittich, Dwnbel, Gratian, Antonio, Aquinas,
Dastin, Salomon, Small Rosary, 8vo. Fran. 1625

582 Idem, aureus tractatus, 4to. Franc. 1613

583 Idem, de solutione materia?, 8vo. Fran. 1635

584 L. Riiodargiri, de solutione philosophica, 8. Ludg. 1566

585 Richardi, English adept, died 1336, correctorium, 8vo.

Arg. 1581

586 J. M. RiciiEBouRG, bibliotheque, 18 tracts, Artephius, Azot

Ancient ioar, Bernard, Basil, Elamel, Geher, Hermes,
BBrtulain, Moiien, Mary, 'Burba, Zachary, 3 vols. 12mo.

Paris. 1741

587 Georgii Riplei, adept, opera omnia, 8vo. Casselis. 164-9

588 Same, treatise of mercury, Lond. 1680

589 Same, bosom book, accurtations, Svo. Lond. 1683

590 H. Rochas, la physique demonstrative, 8vo. Paris. 1643

591 F-lloTHSCoETzii, Silesii, bibliotheca chemica,4to. 1719

Idem, chemia, curiosa adornata, 12. Noren. 1720

592 RoBtRTUs Vallensis, antiquitate artis chemia?, 8vo.

Lugd. 1602

593 RonosTAi'-rrcuM speculum, Germanice, 4to. 1618

594 C. RonocANACis, of antimony, 4to. Lond. 1664

595 Rosiciu cian Society, 71 'works in several languages.

596 G. Rolfincius, mercurius mineralium, 4to. Jena. 1670

597 Rosarium, novum, de lapide benedicto, 4to. Germ. 1608

598 P. Rosnel, lc mcrcurc Indien, curious, 4to. Paris. 1672

Alchemical BooU. 109

599 T« Rossello, secreti universalis Svo. • Venet. 1574

600 H. Rossinds de opere. Dei creationis, 4to. Fran. 1597
£01 P. Rouillac, practica operis magni, Svo. Lugd. 1582
602 RqussBLet la chryso spagirie, 8vo. Lyons. 1582
60S M. Rudenius, alchimistichen artzen, Svo. Lip. 1605

604 M Rullandi, Lexicon alchimiae, 4to. Fran. 1612

605 Idem, prpgyranasmato alchimiae, Svo. Fran. 1607

606 Johan. Rhpeccissa, adept, livro de lumierc, 16. Paris. ••—

607 Idem, de quinta essentia rerum omnium, Svo. Bas. 1561

608 Idem, coelum philosophorum, Svo. Parisiis. 1543

609 Idem, secretis alchemia, 4to. Col. Agr. 1579

610 Cesare della Riviere il mondo magico, Milano. 1605

611 J. Ruellii de natura stibium, 2 v. 8vo. Venet. 1538

612 William Salmon, M. D. Hermes, Kalid, Pontanus, Arte-

pkius, Gebcr, Flamcl, Bacon, Ripley, Svo. Lond. 1692

613 Le Sieur Salmon, M. D. bibliotheque, contains 12 tracts,

Hermes, Turba, Flamel, Bernard, Zachary, Lavinius,
P/iilalethcs, Mary, Kalid, Artephius, Gebcr, 12mo.

Paris. 1672

614 Chr. Fer. Sabor, practica naturae vera preparatio Lapidis

mineralis de antimonio, in German, Svo. 1721

615 Sanguis naturae anon. German adept, Svo. Lon* 1696

616 J. Saignier, Paris, Magni lapidis philos. 4to. Brem. 1664

617 Saint Roman, effets de la pierre divine, 12. Par. 1679

618 Angeli Salve opera omnia, 4to. Rothomagi. 1650

619 John Sawtre of the philos. stone, 4to. Lon. 1652

620 De Sale, secreto phiiosophorum, Svo. Cass. 1651

621 S. Saltzhal, de potentissima med. univer. 8vo. Arg. 1659

622 H. Scheunem annus, denario hermet. chem. 8. Fran. 1617

623 H. Schleron, de lapide philos. Svo. Marpur. 1612

624 Schlussel, Zur findung dess steins der Weissen, 8vo.

Leip. 1706

625 L. Scholzii, Roscnau, summorum philos. fol. Hano. 1610

626 C. Schotti pliysica curiosacum fig. 4to. Herb. 1667
Idem, mirabilia artis, 2 v. 4to. Norim. 1664

627 Patrick Scot's tillage of light, Svo. Lond. 1623
62S C.Schuleri, de miraculo chemico, Bernard, 1616

629 Secrets disclosed of the philos. stone, 24. 1680

630 Scientia exemplar, ex Lagneo, 4to. Ulm. 1641

631 Seilerus of a transmuting powder found, 4to. Lond. 1633

632 D. Sennertus, institutions of chemistry, 8vo. Lond. ■

633 Alex. Suchten, secrets of antimony, 8vo. Lon. 1670
Idem, clavis alchemia?, German, Svo. , Montis. 1614

634 Sebald. Schweutzeh, esteemed, Chrysopoeia, 8. Hamb. 1618

635 Michael Scoti, de secretis naturae, 12. Fran. 1614

636 Petri Severini, totius philos. adeptoe, 8vo. Bas. 1572

637 Scipione Severing triomib d' eli' alchimia, 8. Venet. 1691

no

Alchemical Books.

638
639
640
641
642

643
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64S
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652
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658
659
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661
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664
665
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667
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669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
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681
682
f$3

Idem, filosbpia alchimia, Venet.

Idem, comment on Lully, Italian,

Du Sel do sapience, disesteemed, 8vo. Par.

Smolli, antiq. mysteriorum, 4 to. Lnbec.

Ii. Snoyus, arte alchimiae, this unsuccessful alchemist died

Torgau, in 1537, aged 60, f. Francof.
Semita rectitudinis de alchemia, Svo. Gratian.
J. H. Senfrid, medulla naturae, Svo. Saltzbach.
A. Seyfarti, klar luorterung, Svo. Leypsich.
G. Anrach, Strasburgii, L. P. de antimonio,8. Bas.
W. Sebilista, manuale hermcticum, 4to. Wolf.
Sidrach, le grand fountaine de science, 4to. Par.
Simpson of fermentation, Lond.
Synesius, adept, true book, 8vo. London.
Idem, in Democriticum de arte sacra, Svo. Patav.
S. Spacheri, alchimia, c?nn. Jig. 4to.