PREFACE TO THE ORIGINAL
EDITION
ADDRESSED TO THE CANDIL READER
[Anonymous]
It would be unjust to double, most gentle reader, that of all the arts invented for
the use of life by the reason of man, that of Alchemy is the most noble and
glorious. For all philosophers exclaim, as it were, with one voice, albeit in many
languages, that this art is not only true, but (after the Divine Law by which our
souls are saved) the best and most magnificent gift imposed on man by God; and
that it should therefore be invesigated with all zeal and with the greatest pains.
But as good wine needs no praise, so neither does this art need a herald; for its
truth is undoubted, and its utility in human life universally acknowledged, and
shewn forth, not only in the Art of Medicine, in Pharmacy, and many other
sciences, but especially in the Art of Transmuting Metals, is so clearly and
perspicuously demonstrated, that it in no way requires to be adorned by the
splendour of oratory, or tricked out with the device of language. I will not enlarge
upon the blessing which the elaboration of minerals and metals has bestowed on
our race. I merely point it out, but refrain from discussing it at length. Different
men devote themselves to the study of this science from different motives. The
philosopher is impelled by the love of truth, and the thirst after wisdom. He
delights in knowledge for its own sake. He welcomes every elegant and copious
treatise on the marvels of Nature, to the glory of Almighty God. This is a
sufficiently generous reward for a philosopher. He has it at his command the most
effectual means of becoming rich, if he would only use them. But he is fired by the
love of philosophy, and does not care for the mocking grandeur of fortune. So
thought the Sages of the Saracens, Egyptians, Arabs, and Persians; for when they
were oppressed by tyrants, and violently driven into exile, they protected and
supported themselves by means of their Art, and, though protected and supported
themselves by means of their Art, and, through their knowledge of the
transmutation of metals, they had at their command, not only sufficient to live
upon, but all the comforts and pomp of life, and thus practically demonstrated
that they could obtain all that gold and silver could give. Concerning this true
transmutation of metals, which is accomplished only by the Elixer or Stone of the
Philosophers, we here propose to speak. This art is set forth in a series of treatises
by different authors, which appeared several years ago, and, like the present
volume, was entitled "A Museum of Hermes." But many writers having discussed the
subject, and treated it from various points of view (so that one writes more clearly
than the other, and each throws light on the other's meaning), some of my friends,
who are adepts in this Art, urged me to add to the former collection certain
treatises supplementary of those already given. For though that former collection
contained the most select writings on the subject, yet is was not as complete as it
might have been, nor was it calculated to furnish to the reader in full measure the
eagerly expected fruit of his study. To this wish of my friends I have all the more
readily submitted, because its fulfilment must redound to the advantage of the
student. I have, therefore, enlarged the collection with several most select
treatises, and caused it to be adorned with many engravings. I was most strongly
impelled to undertake this task by the consideration, viz., that thorugh fraudulent
machinations of greedy imposters many false, so-called chemical treatises have
been put forward, in which there is not a single spark of truth, and that very many
have been, and still are being deceived by them. These dupes, by reading this
book, in which the Magistry of the Stone is most clearly and plainly set forth, and
into which no error or forgery has been admitted, will be secured against the
imposture of that wicked and mercenary band who delight in fraud. For in this
book all errors are shewn up and dispelled. For this reason I confidently offer this
volume to the sons of knowledge, in order that while they may think upon and
investigate the secret workings of Nature, they may obtain from it nothing but the
truth, and gain a clear insight into the very nature of things. In this alone consists
the perfection of the entire most Holy Art of Philosophy. Only let them go forward
along the Royal Road which Nature prescribes in all her operations. As to the rest, I
heartily bet the friends of this Art to give a kindly reception to the present
volume, and when, through the Will of God, by constant labour, they have put
ashore in the desired haven of philosophy, after the nature of philosophers to
exclude all that are unworthy from the knowledge thereof, and, being mindful of
charity towards their needy neighbor in the fear of God (without any vain
ostentation), to sing eternal praises to the Good and Thrice Great God for this
Wonderful and Divine Gift (without any abuse thereof) in a silent and devoutly
joyful heart.
