Chemical Library

THE LETTER.

original: "Epistola" — A formal letter of dedication.

...to contribute to the uncovering of this truth, so that it might finally be placed naked before the eyes of all. But the narrow circumstances of one's home original: res angusta domi — A classical Latin idiom referring to poverty or a lack of financial resources that hinders one's ambitions. stand in the way of the efforts of many—something I am not ashamed to say of myself. For this reason, I fear in no small measure that the fruits of my nightly vigils Vigils: The "fruits of vigils" refers to the intellectual work produced during long hours of late-night study by candlelight. might lie hidden beneath the dust, unless a new Maecenas Gaius Maecenas was a famous counselor to the Roman Emperor Augustus and a wealthy patron of poets like Virgil and Horace; his name became a shorthand for any generous patron of the arts or sciences. should arise for me who, extending a hand, might lift me to higher things. But God, the Best and Greatest, will fulfill His decree, and it will be enough for me to have had the will to succeed.

Since, however, I have been kindly and most humanely received by you, and because I have always remained a bitter enemy of an ungrateful spirit, I did not hesitate to dedicate this, my Chemical Library original: Bibliotheca Chimica — Published in 1654, this was the first major bibliographic catalogue of books related to chemistry and alchemy., to you. Although you have never devoted your efforts to this science (at least regarding its transmutatory Transmutatory: The "transmutatory part" of chemistry refers to alchemy's goal of changing base metals into gold. part), you are content with that other branch of the art which offers so many excellent things for the sake of health—remedies that expel diseases safely, quickly, and pleasantly original: tuto, cito, et jucunde — A famous medical aphorism attributed to the Roman physician Asclepiades, suggesting that a good doctor should cure without causing further pain., such that it might rightly be called an inexhaustible fountain of health. In this field, I can truly assert that you have made the greatest, indeed such significant pro—