LETTER.

-ing matter. Speak, I beg you, to a Cartesian Cartesian: a follower of René Descartes’ philosophy, which favored mathematical logic and mechanical explanations over spiritual or mystical ones about a center, about natural fire, about seminal virtue seminal virtue: the inherent "seed-like" power in matter that allows it to grow and take form, about a directing and architectonic spirit in every compound compound: in alchemy, a "mixte" or substance formed by the combination of elements, about elementary qualities, and so forth. He will not fail to dismiss your discourse as gibberish and call you a dreamer; and if you press him even slightly, he will soon, by his own authority, have you lodged in the Petites-Maisons original: "Petites-Maisons"; a famous hospital and asylum in Paris where the mentally ill were confined during the 17th and 18th centuries..

But, you will tell me, it is not for them that we write; it is for those who share our same principles. I grant you that; but if you set aside the vulgar chemists original: "Chimistes vulgaires"; refers to those interested only in the practical or "get-rich-quick" side of alchemy (like making gold) rather than the philosophical and spiritual pursuit. who, consulting only their greed, prefer a heap of false recipes to the best books in the world, you will see that very few will remain of those who