(8)

to live than I am otherwise accustomed to do.
After much talking back and forth
about all sorts of curiosities of the
world / which the aforementioned Monsieur le
Page had observed with quite
keen insight in two of its parts / Europe
and America /
our conversation turned to mining /
and from there to the improvement
of metals original: Metallen-Verbesserung; a term often used in the 17th century to refer to alchemical transmutation or the refining of base metals into gold. I / who trust
few people with the knowledge of
my person regarding my extensive
experience in such matters /
conducted myself even then as a
student / and although the entire
dialogue original: Zusammen-Sprach provided me with
little advantage in terms of deeper
knowledge / it nevertheless informed me of
many writings / which had been
released in public print over the last
several years for the advancement of
natural science original: Natur-Weißheit; literally "natural wisdom," referring to the study of the physical world and natural philosophy by brave
or at least well-meaning people.