Preface.

To the Reader.

Highly Favorable, Well-Beloved,

Son and Brother of the Hermetic Doctrine,

and Pupil of sound and

immortal Philosophy.

original: "Fili & Frater Doctrinæ Hermeticæ & Philosophiæ sanæ & immortalis Alumne." This is a traditional Latin greeting in alchemical texts, welcoming the reader as a spiritual heir and fellow seeker of the "Hermetic" secrets attributed to Hermes Trismegistus.

Here you have—after many Chemical Treatises original: "Tractatibus Chymicis" concerning the great Mystery M? of the Blessed Philosophical Stone original: "Lapidis Benedicti Philosophiæ Mysterio." The "Blessed Stone" is a synonym for the Philosopher's Stone, the goal of the Great Work.—a short, yet good and exquisite little treatise, the likes of which have never been seen, regarding the Universal-High Work of Tincture A "tincture" refers to a concentrated alchemical substance capable of "staining" or transforming base metals into gold, or healing the human body. and Arcanum original: "Arcano." An arcanum is a deep secret or a powerful "inner" medicine that was believed to hold the vital force of nature.

A decorative headpiece sits at the top of this page, featuring five rows of typographic ornaments including floral patterns and stars. Such decorations were common in 17th-century printing to signal the start of a major section like a preface.