Friendly Missive of an Adept of Hermetic Science and Art

not a single probability original: Probabilitåt; in alchemical terms, this refers to the "signs" or likelihood that a chemical process is succeeding. /
and was therefore glad / that my
imprudence / in such
dealings had not brought me to
greater harm and total
ruin. In many
others I noticed the same misfortune /
and that they experienced the transformations The author is making a dry joke here: instead of the "transmutation" of base metals into gold, these men experienced a transformation of their own "state"—from wealthy to poor.
sooner in themselves and their estate /
than in the metals /
therefore I managed my remaining money
wisely / stuffed my purse
anew / and in the sixth year
received from the High Governor original: Ober-Stadthalter.
through a sum of money /
leave to travel. The Governor original: Gubernator (Latin).
of Tezza modern-day Taza, a city in northern Morocco located in the mountain pass between the Rif and the Middle Atlas., a noble
city of the Kingdom of Fez,
had during his illness / from
which he had recently recovered /
made a vow / to Mecca and
Medina The two holiest cities in Islam; the Governor is preparing for the Hajj, or pilgrimage. two Arabian / cities
famous because of Mahomet The prophet Muhammad. / to