EPISTLE

A reference to the constellation Serpens or a specific comet appearing near it. And insofar as such **fiery impressions** original: "impressions ignees"; a 17th-century term for atmospheric or celestial phenomena like comets or meteors never appear without dragging an infinity of misfortunes along with them (which is recognized, nevertheless, more by observation than by probable reason), I judged it expedient to defer the publication of the **mineral waters** of the surroundings of **Pont-à-Mousson** A town in northeastern France, then part of the Duchy of Lorraine for some time. This is despite the fact that their beautiful effects invited me to proceed further, seeing as while writing this booklet in the month of September 1619, a Gentleman of Villé in Hey named Monsieur de Rampon was entirely cured of a Dropsy original: "Hydropisie"; an old medical term for edema or swelling caused by excess fluid of two years' duration, solely by the use of these waters, which he used upon my advice. I have therefore left hydrotherapeutics The medicinal use of water for healing to devote myself to a collection of several military machines, fireworks, and other inventions for war, both offensive and defensive. And I have associated myself with Master Jean Appier, called Hanzelet, for his rare qualities and for the excellence of his judgment. Retaining that of the nature...