The Sendivogian Chemical Tripod

Preface.

German-half Latin exposition on the twelve small treatises This refers to the Novum Lumen Chymicum (New Light of Chemistry), a foundational alchemical text consisting of twelve treatises. (which he does not understand in the slightest point, nor will he ever understand so long as he remains in his filthiness) [which he has] spread abroad, and also explicitly set the name of the noble Lord von Sendwog Michael Sendivogius (1566–1636), a famous Polish alchemist and diplomat. upon it: also there is almost no one who does not arrange these letters A reference to the anagrams mentioned on the previous page that reveal Sendivogius's identity. in this way: Therefore, neither he nor anyone else will be able to blame me for placing the name over his own work—even though it appears in a different dress The "dress" refers to the style or linguistic presentation of the text. and a foreign language (which is yet not foreign to him). For this was done in his honor, and not like that other version, which was done to his dishonor: as I have indeed, in truth, along with others, recently heard one of his good acquaintances here lamenting greatly that his meaning had been so distorted, corrupted, and shamed—even secretly suggesting that he had not created the 12 Treatises through his own invention, but had taken them from old figures In this context, "figures" refers to alchemical diagrams or symbolic illustrations.: this may well also provide a reason why his third dialogue on salt has not been published.

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