Subterranean Physics

...above all, to apply, or rather to bring forward, common Experience to draw out these Theories from there. As to what benefit or advantage my own modest efforts might provide to this work, I would prefer not to say, but rather let the reader experience it for themselves. For my part, I would certainly not dare to hope for any personal advantage from this whole matter, but rather for that which a German must expect—or rather, must endure—from other Germans. Stahl is likely referring to the professional jealousy and lack of recognition he and Becher faced in the German intellectual community. To these things, with an old-fashioned German spirit and a mind just and tenacious in its purpose, I have become hardened; and I sing this: Foreseen weapons harm less. original Latin: "Tela prævisa, minus nocent." A proverb suggesting that if you expect trouble, it cannot wound you as deeply. For our Author [Becher], without pride or ambition, I transcribe the epitaph of Epicharmus A Greek philosopher and dramatist: "Speak useful things to all; great thanks belong to him." original Greek: πᾶσιν εἰπὲ χρήσιμα, μεγάλη χάρις αὐτῷ. If I were to set up a memorial stone for him, acting as an overseer ædilis; a Roman official in charge of public buildings favoring neither luxury nor vanity, I would place one not to be moved but to be imitated—the one that Simon Pauli A Danish physician and botanist known for his work on the medicinal properties of plants dared to prepare for himself while alive, without fear of envy. It is notable for no grand architecture, but only for the inscription by Scaliger Joseph Justus Scaliger, a preeminent Renaissance scholar:

IT WOULD BE PERMITTED FOR THE GOOD, IF IT WERE PERMITTED BY THE BAD,
TO ENJOY DURING LIFE THE GLORY DENIED TO THE LIVING.
BUT IF THE JUDGMENTS OF THE GOOD CONCERNING ME WERE DELAYED
BY THE ENVY AND MALICE OF MY OWN AGE,
LATER GENERATIONS, SPEAKING MY GLORY TO THEIR DESCENDANTS,
WILL NOT BE SILENT ABOUT THE INJUSTICE OF THESE CONTEMPORARIES.

In the last place, the kind Reader must be informed that our esteemed Mr. Weidmann The publisher/bookseller Moritz Georg Weidmann has decided to publish the rest of the Author's writings in this same volume format, which they call quarto a book size where the printed sheet is folded twice to create four leaves. For this purpose, he already has ready the Chemical Concordance original: "CONCORDANTIAM CHYMICAM"; Becher’s "Chymischer Glücks-Hafen," a vast compilation of chemical recipes and authorities, translated into the Latin language so that it may be of use to other nations. No one would dare doubt that those who delight in the writings of our Author and in a more solid Chemical-Metallic Theory will support this endeavor. If anyone should deign to assist these praiseworthy proposals with the matter itself, or should indicate or provide things that might contribute to completing the Author's writings, he will not only bind our publisher to himself in gratitude, but will also expect a grateful remembrance from the public for his excellent service.