Alchemical Writings (Stone of Philosophers)

Biographical Preface. xix.

The manuscript was kept as a curiosity to be shown to strangers visiting the inn; the undamaged ivory casket became a toy for the innkeeper’s children; a remnant of the red powder happened to remain in its broken container; and it so happened, in time, that Kelly, in his role as a traveler, examined the entire find. If Kelly had started his life as an apothecary A person who prepared and sold medicines; a precursor to the modern pharmacist., he undoubtedly had a basic knowledge of chemistry, and there would have been few educated people at that time who, regarding Alchemy, had heard nothing of the red and white tinctures The "red tincture" was believed to turn metals into gold, while the "white tincture" turned them into silver. which were the tools of the Great Work original: "Magnum Opus"; the ultimate goal of alchemy, which was the creation of the Philosopher's Stone.. He knew enough to be eager to own them, and for the entire collection of ancient items, he offered one guinea A gold coin worth 21 shillings; a substantial sum for an innkeeper to receive for "useless" items. to the innkeeper, who accepted the offer.