Preface.

...[consulted those] experienced in the Alchemical, Mining, Smelting, Refining, and Parting arts; since this is the ABCs, which one must know perfectly, backward and forward, before one intends to undertake this work. For just as with letters, one first begins to form syllables and finally to read. For how shall an inexperienced person understand the saying which commands him to dissolve solve The Latin solvere (to dissolve or loosen) refers here to the alchemical process of breaking down a substance into its fundamental components., if he has not previously, often and well, dissolved all kinds of metals, minerals, stones, bones original: Bain, and other growths? It would happen to him as it does to a young boy, who must first look up in his primer original: Namenbuch—literally a "name book" used for learning the names of letters and basic spelling. to see what kind of letter this might be.

As for the rest, if anything has not been made according to everyone's sense, opinion, and thought, may he change it for the best and in the best way; being assured that it has all been done out of a good spirit, a faithful heart, and a well-meaning will, for his pleasure, honor, and benefit. Recommending myself herewith to the same in the best form.

Written in Freudenstadt Literally "Joyous City," a town in the Black Forest founded in 1599, which was a significant center for mining and silver production during this era., under the protection of Parnassus A reference to Mount Parnassus, the mythological home of the Muses, suggesting the work was written under intellectual or poetic inspiration., on Michaelmas Day September 29th, a major feast day in the Christian calendar often used as a date for settling accounts and contracts., in the year 1627, according to the small, common, and shorter count original: "627." It was a common 17th-century convention to omit the "1000" when writing the date..

Pre-