THE

Author's Preface

TO HIS

EXPOSITIONS

UPON

Sir George Ripley's

Compound of Alchemy, etc. original: "&c."

Decorative woodcut initial letter 'T' featuring a stylized floral and vine pattern with leaves and berries.

This Canon A member of a religious community; George Ripley was an Augustinian Canon at Bridlington Priory. of Bridlington flourished in the days of Edward the Fourth, King of England, to whom he wrote an Epistle A formal letter; specifically Ripley's "Epistle to King Edward IV.", as appears in the beginning of this book. He was a true Artist In alchemical texts, "Artist" refers to a skilled practitioner of the Hermetic art or alchemy., as everyone who has attained knowledge in this Mastery original: "Mastery"; referring to the successful completion of the "Great Work" of alchemy. can testify. He wrote, among other writings, these Twelve Gates of Alchemy—