Friendly Missive of an Adept of Hermetic Science and Art

African (the old Punic language) The author identifies "African" with "Punic," the language of ancient Carthage, though he was likely encountering Berber dialects or regional Arabic. and Arabic I soon learned / and once I could speak them out of necessity / I betook myself along with other scholars to the high schools original: hohen Schulen; in this context, referring to a university or a Madrasa. / among which two rich and magnificent Colleges original: Collegia were held in high esteem above others. Here I found various excellent Philosophers, respectable Mathematicians, and very experienced Astronomers original: Sternkündiger, literally "those knowledgeable of the stars." / quite differently than how our Europe usually judges these Africans. Among all of them, in my opinion, the most excellent was one named Adulem Hafcora Zaraiga, from the Kingdom of Morocco, Public Professor of Physics original: Physicæ Professor Publ. In the 17th century, "Physics" referred broadly to "Natural Philosophy" or the study of the natural world., a man of good character and pleasant manners. In his company I spent many an hour / and his instructions and the—