THE HERMETIC MUSEUM.

Cross, if I had left out those references; but for your sake I decided otherwise. Do not wonder that I conceal my name, and refuse to appear to you face to face. I have come forward, not for the sake of any paltry glory, or of worldly praise, but to do you good. Moreover, my teachers, even the true philosophersIn this context, "philosophers" refers specifically to alchemists—those who study the underlying laws of nature and matter., advised me not thus to risk my life for the sake of obtaining a high place in the world’s esteem, to expose myself to greedy robbers or to give occasion for many crimes by the prostitution of this profound secret.

No doubt the gentle reader has learned by the works of Sendivogius Michael Sendivogius (1566–1636) was a famous Polish alchemist and diplomat who claimed to have discovered the secret of transmuting metals. that whenever he shewed himself openly to the powerful, he went in constant fear of his life. Experience teaches that many philosophers who gave no thought to their personal safety, have been killed and deprived of their tinctureThe "tincture" is the concentrated essence of the Philosopher's Stone, believed to have the power to "dye" or transform base metals into gold. by greedy and powerful robbers; and it stands to reason that any one going about with a great treasure in his hand, must fall a prey to brigands.

Sendivogius concealed his name by an anagramAlchemists often hid their names in puzzles; for example, Sendivogius used the Latin phrase "Divi Leschi Genus Amo" (I love the race of the Divine Pole) which rearranged into "Michael Sendivogius".. Thus also a short time ago another philosopher and Brother of the Golden Cross, whose real name has long been familiar to me, concealed it beneath an anagram, and made himself known to his friends by an enigmatical designation. Why then should I place myself at the mercy of this impure world? Permit me rather, dear friend, to follow the example of the sages, and leave the rest to the thrice good and great God, who will make my true self known to you in good time, if it be for the glory of His name, and for your and my good.

Do not be eager to enquire after my name. For even if you should get to know it, or become personally acquainted with me, you would have to rest satisfied with the contents of this tract. For I have solemnly promised two philosophers—Bernard, Count of Trevisan A famous 15th-century Italian alchemist known for his lifelong quest for the Stone and his eventual success., and Neigens—that I will not betray to any one more than has been revealed in this book. Neither be anxious to ask whether I actually possess this precious treasure. Ask rather whether I have seen how the world was created; whether I am acquainted with the nature of the Egyptian darkness A reference to the biblical ninth plague of Egypt, used here as an alchemical metaphor for the "nigredo" or the initial stage of blackness and decomposition in the Great Work.; what is the cause of the rainbow; what will be the appearance of the glorified bodies In alchemy, the "glorified body" refers to matter that has been purified and perfected into gold or the Elixir, paralleling the theological concept of the resurrected human body. at the general resurrection; what is the most indelible colour. Of you that rightly understand this little book, I will enquire whether you have seen that great salt sea An alchemical metaphor for the "Universal Mercury" or the primordial substance from which all things are generated., without any corrosion, raise a sufficiency of the moisture of all nature to the summits of the highest mountains. Tell me