DEDICATION

...mass [of metal] were fused together and approved by public authority. Therefore, the Truth of this more divine art will remain entirely established, provided that he who is to work at it possesses a most accurate skill not only in Metallurgy Metallurgy (metallurgia): The practical science of extracting, refining, and alloying metals. but also in Chemistry, and has everything at hand which can serve equally as an aid and an adornment. Among these requirements, no small expenses easily hold the first place; by their help, and through long practice and frequent experiments, this golden

DEDICATION

this vein is to be extracted from that well of Democritus The author references the Greek philosopher Democritus, who famously claimed that "Truth lies at the bottom of a well," implying that alchemical secrets are deeply hidden and hard to reach.. But I do not wish to dwell longer on these things, both because of Truth itself, which intercedes for me, and because the matter has been so often confirmed by the most weighty judgment original: "calculo" - literally a pebble used for voting, here meaning a formal decision or consensus. of so many great men across the whole expanse of Europe. I judge that this rather is what I must now do: to solicit your favor, Illustrious Fathers of this Republic A common honorific for the city council or magistrates to whom the book is dedicated., so that you might illuminate with the rays of your kindness this Philalethes Philalethes (Eirenaeus Philalethes): A famous pseudonym meaning "lover of truth," used by a renowned 17th-century alchemical author., the preeminent Teacher of the more abstruse chemical science original: "scientiæ abstruſioris" - refers to the "hidden" or esoteric knowledge of alchemy that is not easily understood by the uninitiated., and me as his Explainer, and among