Subterranean Physics

PREFACE.

...these various things, he considered it a worthwhile effort to demonstrate, and indeed he did so.

Therefore, let anyone take it upon themselves to learn and comprehend these things from this work before all else; for there they will find a solid deduction of these matters: I mean of such Principles, of mixtures, of resolutions the breaking down of substances into parts, and of the products of each of these; solid foreshadowings, deductions, and indeed, demonstrations.

Meanwhile, regarding certain very specific matters—certainly of a deeper investigation—and especially that difficult business of mercurification the process of extracting or creating "philosophical mercury" from metals, and the artifice (should I call it an art or a vice of art?) of multiplicative transmutation the alchemical claim that a small amount of an elixir could transform vast quantities of base metal into gold found in famous common tales: let everyone consider it a most ancient duty to suspend judgment original Greek: "τὸ ἐπέχειν" (to epéchein), a philosophical term for withholding assent until the truth is clear.

For these matters are rightly compared not only to a certain difficult script original: "scriptura", intricate with various abbreviations, which only the most expert can scarcely read and pronounce correctly—which fits the various attempts at Mercurification—but they should especially be compared to Steganography secret writing or cryptography, which according to various talents is most commonly adorned with trivialities. This comparison fits the transmutation and the traditions handed down about it. It would certainly be most foolish to pursue the reading of such phantasms or delusions while the knowledge of the very letters or syllables is still lacking.

Indeed, our Author himself still has a bad reputation today among those who hunt for nothing but such opportunities for disparagement, or even slander, because he indulged so extensively in such deductions once or twice. And, as they sinisterly interpret that phrase (from the Preface to the Hermetic Duumvirate), I have crossed the Rubicon, etc. original: "ego Rubiconem transivi"; a reference to Julius Caesar’s point of no return, here implying Becher had committed himself to the "truth" of alchemy; from such hateful formulas and passages, they delight in utterly overturning and scorning even his best, useful, and solid work.

Thus, noble minds will learn to restrain themselves from more complex, or rather intricate, matters; they will long to seek out simpler truths. And where this man (who is otherwise well-deserving) was deluded, or where he hurried too prematurely with things not fully digested—not by his own fault, but by the fault and lapse of human nature—they will interpret it kindly.

I would dare to take it upon myself to state that the things he established regarding principles and mixtures are solid, certain, and clear to experience, as far as they pertain to Subterranean the mineral and geological world beneath the earth matters. No one will wonder that he has had no physician or physicist as a follower, let alone an advocate, until this day: provided they once learn to certaintly comprehend that our Author’s fundamental assertions are true. On this point, I command clever minds to test, throughout their whole lives, whether my proverb holds more truth or fiction: In the deep darkness original: "Erebus," the Greek personification of darkness or the underworld of so many doubts, whatever the greatest crowd of those perceiving defends, is an error.

Indeed, as I might say without injury to anyone, from those many commentaries, theorems, and indeed...