Works of Thomas Vaughan (Eugenius Philalethes)

Passing now to the question whether the identification is justified or can be regarded as tolerable, we are con-fronted by the fact that, with the exception of some metrical exercises belonging to his earlier days, Vaughan did not write in Latin. That he could have done so there is no question if it became expedient or desirable for any purpose in view, but the appearance of The Open Entrance in that language cannot be said on the surface to help an affirmative answer. The whole story of the tract is, however, curious. I have mentioned that Langius was in search of a better text than that which he was induced to publish by his belief in its signal importance. Two years after the Amsterdam edition, or in 1669—and with a preface dated August 9, 1668—there appeared in London—and in English—an edition of The Open Entrance, edited by William Cooper, who styled himself "a true Lover of Art and Nature." By the hypothesis it is not a translation of the Langius text,¹ but is described as "the true manuscript copy which John Langius in his preface doth so much thirst after." It is affirmed to have been in the editor's possession for "many years before the publication in Latin." Moreover, the reader is directed to find "con-siderable enlargements and explanations, wherein the Latin translation is deficient." I have checked these variations, and some at least of them seem important to the text. It is difficult to speak with certainty, and I am putting the point tentatively, but on the whole I am disposed to infer that William Cooper really had an

¹ Lenglet du Fresnoy renders Cooper's title into Latin as follows: Introitus Apertus, ex manuscripto perfectiori in linguam Angli-canam versus et impressus, thus making him a translator. But the English title in full is: Secrets Revealed, or An Open Entrance to the Shut Palace of the King. Containing the Greatest Treasure in Chemistry, never yet so plainly discovered. Composed by a most famous Englishman, styling himself Anonymus, or Eyræneus Philaletha Cosmopolita, who, by Inspiration and Reading, attained to the Philo-sopher's Stone at his Age of Twenty-three Years, Anno Domini 1645. Published for the Benefit of all Englishmen by W. C. Esq.