The Hermetic Museum, Restored and Enlarged

PRÆFATIO.

named, which already came to light some years ago; nevertheless, since there is no small number of chemical authors, and a great diversity and variety of writings, so that one writes more clearly and openly than another, and one explains another, I was advised by some friends, very skilled in this art, to add to this very book, the Hermetic Museum, some things pertinent to the matter and most necessary for this art. For although, as said above, it had been composed some years ago from the writings of selected men most skilled in this art, it was not found so complete in all its parts, or so perfect in all respects, that it could sufficiently and abundantly bring the hoped-for fruit to the studies of its readers.

Therefore, to this most honorable will of my friends, which primarily aimed at the common utility of those studying this art, we gladly assented. And we took care to have this entire book, augmented by various most selected authors and adorned with many copperplate figures, transcribed for printing. Especially since we considered with ourselves that many counterfeit books, and false recipes (as they call them) of alchemists, composed by the fraud and avarice of impostors, in which not even a spark of truth shines, circulate among the investigators of natural and occult arts. By these, very many have been deceived, and are still being deceived. However, those who read this book, in which the mastery of the Stone is expressed most clearly and plainly: no error is placed, no false-