P R E F A C E.

original: "Irus"; the name of the beggar in Homer's Odyssey, used here to represent the impoverished chemist Irus. But amidst all these hardships, I seem to live so pleasantly that I would rather die than exchange my life for the luxuries of the King of the Persians. Though what tastes good to me may please only a few, and for this reason I may seem wiser than others—specifically in that field where few are wise; for it is easy to say among the blind, the one-eyed man is King original: "inter cæcos luscus Rex est". Such a kingdom, although it may be worthy of pity, is nonetheless sought with great arrogance by some, exercised with great tyranny, and established through wickedness, folly, deception, and fraud. Here, however, I shall make an exception by saying, My kingdom is not of this world original: "Regnum meum non est de hoc Mundo"; a biblical reference to John 18:36; for just as almost all jars have two handles, one on the right and one on the left, so in every undertaking, the left handle is usually the one at hand, especially when the eye of reason is clouded. For me, as I hope, the right handle—the correct method of handling this study—has fallen to my lot, in which all these things remain constant, which otherwise are an obstacle on the left side. For Pseudo-chemists; original "Pseudochymici", those who use chemistry only for fraud or gold-seeking desire gold, but true Philosophers desire knowledge, which is to be preferred above all gold. The former thrust forward deceits, sophistries, and absurdities; the latter shine through the causes of things. The ignorant play with the reader using subtle or inexplicable terms; the knowledgeable teach clearly, having set aside all the allurements of words. For Truth suffers no riddles; she is simple, always consistent with herself. Since, therefore, there is such a great difference between the two paths, what wonder is it if the result is different? The left path leads to destruction, the right to truth; to the former, disgrace is due, to the latter, honor. For Nature admits no dishonest duty. In a time of need, he who administers an enema; a medical procedure to clear the bowels is more welcome to the sick man than he who adorns his hair; and upon this foundation, how much praise do the anatomists not claim for themselves? They are so smelly that they are noticed by dogs by their scent. Therefore, it will not be a disgrace to examine nature, using natural instruments. The goal is wisdom, than which nothing is sweeter, nothing more human, nothing more divine. Let the judgment rest with the Reader—provided they are learned and skilled—as to whether I have attained it in this kind. I have indeed attempted to reach the mark; if it has not been permitted to attain it, it will be enough to have willed it: and this "enough" is not a little but a lot, for in great matters, it is enough to have willed them. I say in great matters; for to search through subterranean things is not a light matter, but one of the greatest importance. I have moved every stone to attain the truth; I was able to move them, being equipped with reason and practice: I wanted to move them, since I have had, and still have, a most convenient and magnificent laboratory, equipped with all requirements and materials, the likes of which is scarcely to be found in all Germany, not to say in Europe, here in the court at Munich original: "Monachii in aula"—as long, indeed, as the munificence of the Most Serene Prince permits it. A name for a harsh, snarling critic Zoilus will snarl that little has been done; but in truth much has been done, though not according to his mind—namely, gold-making; original "aurifactura" was not sought, which we have so avoided that it scarcely entered our mind, unless we wished to enter the left-hand path. For that science flees those who seek it [for profit], and is only learned by occasion. Meanwhile, the most slight experiments, contributing toward wisdom, will please the learned; for them, the second book, full of experiments, will be most welcome, and they will surely suspend their judgment until its publication. In the meantime,