A decorative woodcut header featuring symmetrical floral and vine patterns in a horizontal band.

THE PRINTER

TO THE READERS

SENDS HEARTIEST GREETINGS original: "S. P. D.," an abbreviation for the Latin "Salutem Plurimam Dicit," a formal greeting meaning "sends many greetings."

A large decorative woodcut initial 'A' embellished with intricate foliate motifs and scrolls within a square frame.

A FEW years ago, dear READER, we published a reasonably substantial volume by various authors treating the subject of chemistry original: "περὶ χημείας" (peri chēmeias). In the 16th century, "chemistry" and "alchemy" were often used interchangeably to describe the study of metallic transformation and medicinal elixirs., collected through the efforts of GUGLIELMO GRATAROLO Guglielmo Gratarolo (1516–1568) was an Italian physician who became a prominent editor of scientific and alchemical works in Basel., the Physician. Since that venture was successful for us, and we perceived that it was welcomed by those devoted to this Philosophy The "Philosophy" mentioned here is the "Hermetic Philosophy," a term for alchemy which sought to understand the hidden laws of nature., we applied our efforts to further refining and explaining this art to the best of our ability. Therefore, with the assistance of friends—learned men—we have gathered more writings, and from those collected, we have selected what I believe to be the better works. We have distributed them into these two volumes in a more convenient and affordable format; and we are even now considering