The Long-Desired and Promised Chemical-Philosophical Touchstone

—which his first teacher had awakened in him; and Petrarch soon loved and treated his new pupil as his own biological son. One year after your departure, Petrarch writes to Johann von Certaldo original: "Johann von Certaldo," better known as the author Giovanni Boccaccio. *), I have received an excellent youth, of whom I am sorry that you do not know him personally, and with whom I therefore want to make you acquainted as far as it can happen in a letter. He was born on the shore of the Adriatic Sea around the time that you lived together in this city with the grandfather of the current Lord of Ravenna. His descent and circumstances are only slight. However, he possesses a moderation and a seriousness that would be praiseworthy even in an old man; and besides these virtues, a penetrating understanding, and a memory just as quick to grasp as it is extensive and firm. My bucolic poem original: "bukolisches Gedicht," referring to Petrarch's pastoral poetry., which, as you know, consists of twelve eclogues short pastoral poems, he learned by heart in twelve days; so that he recited one to me every evening, and on the last evening two eclogues without stumbling, as if he had the written poem itself before him. He himself has, which is very rare in our times, much poetic spirit, and a noble zeal for all beautiful and useful knowledge. His genius is befriended by the Muses, and he already attempts his own poems, from which one can predict: That if the youth keeps his life, and continues in the good as before, certainly something great will become of him. Already now one can say much of him. You have so far heard only of one part, namely of his head, or his abilities. Now hear also the best foundation of genuine wisdom and virtue.

*) original: "Beym Mehus S. 349. l. c." A reference to the work of Lorenzo Mehus.