Critical History of Nicolas Flamel and His Wife Pernelle

Philosopher’s Stone A legendary alchemical substance said to be capable of turning base metals into gold; it was the supposed source of Flamel's incredible wealth., or if he owed his fortune only to his hard work: however, I found myself compelled to work once more on this historical matter.

The History of Flamel not being the primary object of my Essay, I did not intend to treat it with all the breadth that the matter allows. I had said enough, nevertheless, to be able to pride myself on having shed some light on what I proposed in opposition to popular rumors; my evidence even seemed to satisfy some; * but the opinions were not unanimous. The Author of the Literary Year original: "Année Littéraire." This was a prominent 18th-century journal edited by Élie Catherine Fréron, known for its traditionalist and often anti-Enlightenment stance. ** in his analysis of my Essay, adopted the opinion of a learned Be-

• The Author of the Christian Journal original: "Journal Chrétien." A Catholic monthly periodical that reviewed contemporary literature. says that in the Essay, Flamel is perfectly justified regarding the accusations made against him, and that it appears this citizen was a very honest man, who was not as rich as has been repeatedly claimed. Christian Journal, month of January 1759, art. 8 p. 95. Mr. de Machy Jacques-François Demachy (1728–1803), a French chemist and pharmacist. uses much the same language in the Edition he has just released of Mr. Pott’s Johann Heinrich Pott (1692–1777), a Prussian chemist whose "Chemical Dissertations" were influential in the development of metallurgy. Chemical Dissertations original: "Dissertations Chymiques".

** Literary Year, Letter of November 31, 1758. The original text lists November 31, an impossible date, likely a typographical error by the 18th-century printer.