Friendly Missive of an Adept of Hermetic Science and Art

[Philosopho]rum original: "rum", completing "Philosophorum" named, he possessed; of which most seekers in Christendom and Africa have almost nothing left but dreams and shadows. There I learned, through his good heart and intimate friendship, as much as I needed to know to make the Philosopher's Stone The legendary "Lapis Philosophorum," believed to be the catalyst for transmutation and the key to immortality., and thereafter I prepared this Powder of Life original: Lebens-Pulver; also known as the Pulvis Vitalis, an alchemical medicine meant to restore health and prolong life. and purest Essence in the world, of which one part turns over 10,000 parts of Lead into fine Gold, after I had erred once, succeeding the second time happily and alone. My joy was great, and the desire to see Europe again was no less so. Concerning the second desire, I also attained what I sought. For an English ship carried me from Bantam A once-powerful trading port in modern-day Banten Province, Indonesia, which was a major center for the pepper trade. in the 61st year of my age, healthy and full of strength, to London. Where I, as I said, beloved friends, [you]—