LETTER I.

think rather of becoming Philo-
sophers In this context, "Philosophers" refers to those who seek the wisdom and secrets of nature, rather than those who simply follow academic philosophy., than of becoming possessors
of the Philosopher’s Stone Philosopher’s Stone: the legendary substance sought by alchemists, believed to be capable of turning base metals into gold and granting eternal life;
but you will tell me again that
one must not stop at all
that, that one must write for
the honor of science original: "science"; here meaning the "Sacred Science" or the Art of Alchemy itself. alone,
to prevent it from being
oppressed, and to finally
convince men of its excel-
lence. Ha! Monsieur, rid
yourself of this thought, and
reckon that an experiment of
transmutation transmutation: the alchemical process of changing one substance—usually a base metal—into another, such as gold or silver will convert more
people to the Hermetic faith Hermetic faith: the tradition and belief system derived from the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus, which seeks to understand the hidden laws of the universe,
than all the finest reason-
ings that you could make.
This nation likely referring to the French people or the broader "republic of letters" in the 17th century. demands signs,
and we are in a time
where one wants to get to the facts, without
troubling oneself much with the
rest. But without examining all
the reasons I would have had